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Sitting on everyone’s kitchen counter is the kitchen staple so basic it’s borderline boring. And as I write, I’m already thinking of salt more than I have in this past year combined.

But the Wieliczka salt mine, near Krakow, Poland proves that salt can be a masterpiece on its own. The mine was first opened in the 13th century, and today, it’s a part of the First UNESCO World Heritage List. For a reason! The salt mine, which reaches -1072 ft at its deepest point, features underground lakes, 2,000 chambers, and chapels equipped with enormous chandeliers. And if that wasn’t enough, every little thing is made of salt. The mine is so unreal, it brings to mind a level in Tomb Raider, rather than a place thanks to which I season my dinner.

More info: Wieliczka-SaltMine.com

#1

Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

wieliczkasaltmine Report

Ann
Community Member
6 years ago

Had my prom down there in the late 90s. If you never moshed to Nirvana 125 metres underground, well, your loss.

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    #2

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    agsaz Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This is the biggest chapel in this mine with the most figurines and decorations. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, the statues are all salt! Our guide told us we can taste it. Licked a finger damp, rubbed it against basically anything, and tasted it. Yup, it's salt. Haha, kinda gross but gotta try it.

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    #3

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    reeve_05 Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Being an underground lake without any other influences, this lake is so eerily still and quiet with the most pure color.

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    #4

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    travelist.pl Report

    Jody Brown
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This would make the greatest escape room!

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    #5

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    joshread7 Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The white beams are braces added to reinforce the mine. The brown wood platforms with the decorative chisels are the walking paths for tourists. It's a maze here, guided tours only.

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    #6

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Alexandra Amaral
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I FEEL LIKE IN A DARK MAGES CAVE IN SKYRIM <3

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    #7

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    ryszard_wolski Report

    Esca Sav
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    They have mass here every Sunday by the way! I visited with my family a few years ago, one of the most beautiful things you could see with your own eyes. Highly recommend it when this virus goes away...

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    #8

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    theglobalite Report

    Esca Sav
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I'm not 100% sure if this is the room BUT, there is a hall in the mine that can be used for wedding parties and concerts (you can get married at the chapel here). I forgot how many people it can fit, but it is beautiful.

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    #9

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    large_planet Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    All the grey surfaces are salt, walls, floors, ceilings, stairs.

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    #10

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Jill Peters
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Unbelievably

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    #11

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Amy Pontious
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Beautiful!

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    #12

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    bettieschade Report

    RitaGG
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Knives Out - salt style.

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    #13

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    giovanniluigipernice Report

    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Eerily beautiful!

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    #14

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Definitely looks like the Mine of Moria. Let's hope a Balrog does not live here.

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    #15

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Jerry Stover
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Knock on wood!

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    #16

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    majka78 Report

    Just Carmen
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This looks like it's straight out of the Mines of Moria.

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    #17

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The sound should be awesome!

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    #18

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    sofia_aziz_ Report

    Alexandra Amaral
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I FEEL IN A DARK MAGE'S CAVE IN SKYRIM<3

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    #19

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Gorgeous reflection with the grotto

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    #20

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Beautiful and unique!

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    #21

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    large_planet Report

    varwenea
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Errie shot. Feels like the Addam's Family should live here.

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    #22

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    prslvts Report

    Elaine Mattingly
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Tastefully elegant.

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    #23

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    lomakina_irina Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    I love this it appears to be almost clear by the light!

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    #24

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Jill Peters
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Reminds me of the underground tunnels in Slovenia.

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    #25

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    johnalthom13 Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The lights and coloring are so beautiful!

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    #26

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Beautiful pic of Our Savior and Lord!

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    #27

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczka_city Report

    Annamarie Dodge
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    almost like carlsbad caverns

    #28

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Teresa Groth
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    The work and effort to make this place of beauty was staggeringly and eminently breathtaking in my opinion!

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    #29

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Al Reilly
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    My knees would be toast after those stairs!!

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    #30

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    Ed Martin
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Everything about this place is so beautiful wonderful, it just feeds the imagination in so many ways. I would love to know who carved the statues, who made the beautiful Chandeliers and how long has it taken to do all this. Thank you Bored Panda Staff for this which as usual is what you do best only the most beautiful post and I love them all. Ed

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    #31

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    #32

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    steverpan Report

    Kristine Phillips
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    love

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    #33

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

    wieliczkasaltmine Report

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    #37

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    wieliczkasaltmine Report

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    #38

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    wieliczkasaltmine Report

    #39

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    #40

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    #41

    Wieliczka-Salt-Mine-Poland

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