Imagine a staircase in Wieliczka Salt Mine that can take you to a magical land where the smell of history mixes with the scent of brine and minerals. An endless wooden staircase leads to it, surrounded by silvery salt rock. With each step you get closer to getting to know unusual fairy tales and stories. However, stop for a moment and before you are absorbed by the legends of Wieliczka salt mine, take a look at the stairs. Here are the famous Prinzinger Stairs.
Pay Attention to Salt Mines Stairs in Wieliczka
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an amazing place that seems to reach almost the core of the earth. But did you know that the mine complex is as many as 9 levels? The mine reaches 327 meters deep into the ground, so it means that it would fit even dozens of real Wawel dragons and… the entire Eiffel Tower.
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Following the guide along the Tourist Route, one of the levels you will visit will be the Vistula longitudinal line, which is located on level II and the Antonina longitudinal on level III. What do they have in common? This is a beautiful and long, wooden Prinzinger Stairs. What is their story?
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The Famous Prinzinger Steps Near Kraków
Standing at the top of a dark, wooden staircase, you may feel like you’re about to descend into the bowels of the earth. This is the famous Prinzinger Stairs, which were built during World War I. They are about 27 m long.
Their appearance changed in 2005 when they were restored. Today, they are illuminated by small lights, built into their wooden structure. Thanks to this, the inclined tunnel leading to the lower level has an even more fairy-tale character, and the salt walls and ceiling surrounding the corridor beautifully silver in this light.
At the end of the stairs there is a very important point on the Tourist Route. The monument in memory of the polish poet and bard, Juliusz Słowacki, is a sculpture that is worth seeing in Wieliczka. It is located at the level of 135 m underground and qas erected there to commemorate the bringing of the poet’s remains to Wawel, as well as giving level III the name of Juliusz Słowacki in 1927.
What Does the Salt Mine Hide?
Before you ascend the Prinzinger Stairs, you can visit the Treasurer. And who is it? It is a creature that inhabits the corridors of the mine. However, you do not have to be afraid of it. The treasurer is a good spirit who favored the miners and took care of them during their hard work.
The treasurer always warned the miners of an impending fire or unexpected rockburst. The treasurer most often appeared in the mine in the form of an old, bearded miner.
However, the miners, lazy and inaccurate, had to watch out for the Treasurer. The treasurer did not respect people who did not apply themselves to their work. He was harsh and vindictive towards them.
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When walking along the Tourist Route, remember to pay attention to details. You can always ask the guide questions about the smallest details. The beauty of the mine lies in its details and architectural flavors.
How Many Stairs are There in The Salt Mine?
Beautiful chambers carved in salt, including the most unique one – the Chapel of St. Kinga, amazing underground lakes, majestic carpentry structures and unique salt sculptures. Nearly 3 kilometers of winding corridors, 800 stairs to overcome and descent to a depth of 135 meters underground.
Is There an Elevator in the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
Yes, there is – depending on the route, you will use elevator to get underground and the elevator will take you back on the surface when you are done with the route.
References:
- https://www.kopalnia.pl/kopalnia-wiedzy/zwiedzanie-kopalni-wieliczka-wspaniale-i-monumentalne-schody-prinzinger-ajs0
