Below the Surface: A Trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the main attractions of the Krakow area. It is an incredible place to visit not only for its rich history, but also for the beautiful sculptures and plethora of activities. In ancient times, the mine produced rock salt, which was a valuable good at the time as it was used for preserving food and as a bartering object.

Built in the 1200s, the mine was very active during the Middle Ages and delivered thousands of tons of rock salt every year. In those times, horses were used to deliver salt, but were unfortunately not allowed to visit the outside grounds while working. In the 1800s, a doctor introduced to the public the health benefits of rock salt, and proceeded to open a spa underground in the mine.

Besides the spa, Wieliczka Salt Mine also boasts a dance theatre, a Catholic chapel, several gift shops, and an enormous hall with another chapel, a statue of St. John Paul II and Catholic scenes carved into the salt.

In the early 1960s, the mine stopped its production of rock salt, and opened the museum that visitors see today. In the late 70s, the salt mine was added to a UNESCO protected historical site list. As you can see, Wieliczka Salt Mine is a place of incredible history, amazing sights, and opportunities to try one of Poland’s oldest goods. If you’re ever in the Krakow area, be sure to pay it a visit!

Source: https://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/about-the-mine/the-mine-of-the-past-and-of-today

Observing the young locals

Being in Krakow was an interesting experience in being surrounded by the past with its old history and architecture, while being around the modern with many young locals and tourists. Krakow has the Jagiellonian University, where its new campus is just 15 minutes away from the city, has many young students. Walking through the new campus I noticed many of the students reminded me of when I went to school for undergrad. Many chatting with friends before class, heading to the cafeteria for lunch, and dressing in cute Summer clothes from the warm weather. Even if we were in another country and experiencing different cultures, some things are still fairly similar.

Throughout our trip we walked through Krakow and many places and I always noticed how much young people were out at night getting drinks or going dancing. Krakow isn't a big city with many places to go, so it makes sense for many young people enjoy the night out with drinks and dancing with friends. A few times people really let loose and drank the night away even though it was a weekday.

One night we met with some students from the Jagiellonian University to have some drinks together. Many of them were so curious about where we were from, questions about America, and what we thought of Poland. It was fun getting to know them and find out how much some of them want to visit America someday. From some of the young people I met in Poland and I observed it seemed that many want to travel to other parts of the world and not be stuck in one place. The young people in Krakow reminded me of the young people back home with ambitions and just wanting to have a great time.