“Journey To The Centre Of The Earth”Wieliczka Salt Mine Near Krakow Poland

[nala]

During my stay in Poland,I went to the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow.. The mine, built in the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest salt mines still in operation. The Wieliczka mine is often referred to as "the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland." In 1978 it was placed on the original UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites. Even the crystals of the chandeliers are made from rock salt that has been dissolved and reconstituted to achieve a clear, glass-like appearance.

There is also a museum(the deepest that I ever made)with stunning fossils discovered in the Miocene salt of the mine.

[nala]

And

[trilobiteruss]

Neat. Never have seen fossils in salt deposit before. Intersting place thanks for sharing!

[fossiladdict]

Cool! Goes to show that you never know where you might find fossils.

[fossilselachian]

As you stated , this mine is an incredible underground journey. I have been fortunate to visit the mine on two ocassions some years ago. I do recall seeings a small fossil shark tooth included in the underground museum. I also recall a circular treadmill used to hoist the salt to the surface centuries ago. This treadmill was once operated by captive slaves and later by animals.

[nala]

Thanks trilobiteruss,fossiladdict,fossilselachian for the comments! i miss the the shark tooth,but there were also these but not from the salt

[MarleysGh0st]

They closed in 2007? Do you know why?

I visited Wieliczka in '92. It's a great place!

[nala]

They said it 's too expensive to extract the fossil salt in a mine beside of the one which come from the sea,yes MarleysGh0st,it's really a great place!

[Shamalama]

I've heard stories about that mine and would like to visit it one day. The fossils in salt are really cool. Were they embedded when the salt was forming or did they get covered by later dissolution and precipitation by ground water?

[nala]

"Were they embedded when the salt was forming or did they get covered by later dissolution and precipitation by ground water?"it's a good question,but there were no explanation about it on the site

Two pictures for the minerals lovers

[mzkleen]

Thank you for the post. I just learned a few things here today. Interesting.

[nala]

Thanks mzkleen!

[Shamalama]

Two pictures for the minerals lovers

I'd Drool but the Salt would just absorb it.

[nala]

No doubt about it Dave!

[GeoJon]

Awesome pine cone!

[Terry Dactyll]

Nala.... Great report... I enjoyed the tour

[nala]

Thanks GeoJon and Steve!

[Herb]

Outstanding!