INSIDE a 13th-century mine lies the world’s biggest cave church where everything is made entirely from salt.
Located 330ft below the ground, the unique chapel is built inside a complex underground maze with endless corridors and over 2,000 chambers.
Jam Press/Rafal StachurskiThe underground maze of the Wieliczka salt mine that leads to the church[/caption]
Jam PressA three-piece altar entirely made of salt inside the St Kinga’s chapel[/caption]
Jam PressThe salt replica of the iconic painting The Last Supper[/caption]
Jam Press/Rafal StachurskiThe underground church is still functioning[/caption]
This unique church can be found in the small Polish town of Wieliczka, just nine miles outside Krakow.
Underneath the town is the mind-bending Wieliczka salt mine called Magnum Sal, which means the Great Salt.
The deepest level of the UNESCO heritage site is 1000ft beneath the surface, however, tourists are only allowed to till 450ft where a unique museum can be found.
At 330ft, you will find the great St Kinga’s Chapel – a beautiful church built inside the caves back in 1896.
A sight to behold, the space is around 40ft high, 60ft wide and 180ft long – and has impressive salt carvings, reliefs and chandeliers sculpted by skilled salt miners.
At the chapel’s focal point stands a three-piece altar entirely made of salt by Józef Markowski.
Another impressive element is the salt replica of the iconic painting The Last Supper, made by miner Antoni Wyrobek.
There’s also a statue of Pope John Paul II, made by Stanislaw Angel and added in 1999 – reportedly the only salt statue in the world that depicts the Pope.
And on the right wall, you can spot a nativity scene, carved by Mieczysław Kluzek.
The marvellous chapel was built by workers of the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
It is said to be dedicated to St Kinga who was known to be the patron saint of salt mine workers.
The 13th-century princess was the daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary who married Bolesław V the Chaste, a Polish duke.
Legend has it that as part of her dowry, Kinga’s father gave her a ring containing rock salt, which she brought to Poland.
And soon after, the salt mine was discovered in Wieliczka – and the Queen financially supported the workers.
According to the mine’s official website, these miners who built the chapel were “deeply spiritual and wanted to build a sanctuary of beauty and devotion” inside the Earth.
It reportedly took them several decades to build the chapel where every element is made from salt.
Another section of the mine, the Janowice Chamber, features a scene depicting Kinga’s story with a statue of the princess.
Aside from the incredible chapel, Wieliczka – which is no longer used to harvest salt – has plenty else marvellous structures hidden beneath the ground
This includes glimmering man-made pools, incredible ball and conference rooms – and even a miner’s pub.
There’s also a shop where you can buy Polish snacks and tourist trinkets, including a salt-inspired skincare line.
Jam Press/Rafal StachurskiAn impressive salt chandelier made by a skilled salt mine worker[/caption]
Jam Press/Rafal StachurskiThe complex maze structure inside the salt mine[/caption]
Jam PressA scene depicting Kinga’s story with a statue of the princess[/caption]
Jam Press/Rafal StachurskiAnother chamber inside the 1000ft deep salt mine[/caption]