Wieliczka & Bochnia Salt Mines: The Underground Kingdom

00:00:00: Did you know a single soul mind once founded one-third of an entire kingdom?

00:00:05: Today we're hitting deep underground in Poland.

00:00:09: We are exploring the Wieliczka and Bohnia royal salt mines, One Of The Very First World Heritage Sites Ever.

00:00:15: Get ready for giant hidden chambers, centuries of history And essential travel dips.

00:00:20: Let's head into the Deep right after the intro.

00:00:23: Welcome to World Heritage Rookies the podcast where we explore UNESCO World Heritage sites one episode at a time.

00:00:35: We are Lina

00:00:36: and Ralph, And we will travel alongside you to some of the most stunning sights our world has to offer!

00:00:43: Each week... ...we dive into history, fun facts & reasons why World Heritage Sites mattered for humanity sharing our own discoveries on travel tips along the way.

00:00:53: So let's dive in and learn about Sun World heritage together.

00:01:06: Welcome everybody to episode six of World Heritage Rookies.

00:01:10: If it's the first time you're joining us, welcome!

00:01:12: We are very happy that you found your way through this podcast about world heritage sites

00:01:17: and if its your second third or fourth or sixth episodes

00:01:22: we would be so happy for being a sixth episode.

00:01:24: yeah?

00:01:25: Welcome back...we really have been too happy to have you.

00:01:28: That means that you will find our conversations interesting And make us really happy.

00:01:34: It does, yes.

00:01:35: And today it's gonna be your turn again Lina to tell us about another amazing world heritage site.

00:01:44: you want to tell what we're going to learn about?

00:01:47: Well probably you already saw that in the name of this episode Today We are talking about Bieliczka and Bohnia Roger Solmines.

00:01:57: Before continuing I would like say thank-you one of my best friends, my Polish friend which teaching me how to pronounce this name.

00:02:08: So I really hope that i am doing it properly and not butchering her the names in here

00:02:14: owner.".

00:02:15: I would say you nailed it!

00:02:16: But on the other hand...I'm not qualified if you nail anything in polish.

00:02:20: so unfortunately my approval means nothing here.

00:02:23: She was really sweet.

00:02:24: she sent an audio like and Bohnia.

00:02:34: And I was like for a lot of time practicing, be a Lichka.

00:02:38: so i really hope that i'm pronouncing it well.

00:02:41: just let me know.

00:02:42: maybe in our Instagram account you can criticize my Polish at work heritage rookies.

00:02:50: So before starting as always do you know anything about the Bieliszka and Bohnya Roger Solmines?

00:03:01: Well, not many things I have to admit.

00:03:04: So i know they are in Poland... ...I believe They Are West of Krakow if I remember right?

00:03:12: so they're close to Kraków too.

00:03:14: my knowledge

00:03:16: We're South yeah

00:03:17: and I Know That they are supposed To be like really Really big And it's a pretty large complex.. ..and I know that I'm quite jealous Of you because You've already been there and I Have Not.

00:03:31: Yes, actually when I came to Europe that was my first trip out of Germany.

00:03:40: So i went to Prague.

00:03:41: then i went through a tour to Poland and went back through the north of germany.

00:03:47: so i was quite happy because it was like two weeks in the road.

00:03:52: um It was really interesting And i have to admit one of my favorite countries in europe will always be poland.

00:04:01: Yeah, I have not visited Poland as much.

00:04:03: As i wished to but anytime we've been there We have been lucky enough To be invited two weddings in poland which were by themselves just very cool experiences.

00:04:13: But also we combined them some other trips.

00:04:16: It was always a really pleasant time yeah?

00:04:18: I do have thought media the The Polish people really knows how to have weddings Really nice really entertaining amazing food Amazing drinks anyhow.

00:04:31: So regarding the history, well, the salt production in the soul mines date back over five thousand years so we're talking about the Neolithic period.

00:04:44: Early people didn't mind salt on their ground.

00:04:46: instead they collected soil by boiling and roasting salt water which is basically it's called brine really concentrated salt, watered and just boiling it.

00:05:03: This was really common in natural springs and wells all around the world so its not uncommon to see that they did this early.

00:05:10: How do you know these early people?

00:05:12: are there any kind of remains that showed us?

00:05:14: or is more assumptions on what you mentioned from observations other areas with natural occurring salt reserves?

00:05:23: They found, well some studies revealed that some of the sole places because it's not like water running.

00:05:32: It is more like pounds or water.

00:05:34: So many of these pounds were already dried up since a lot years ago.

00:05:38: Nevertheless in the ten and eleven century there was when actually physical evidence started to appear.

00:05:45: they found boiling cut kettles showing how in this period the salt was extracted.

00:05:54: By the eleventh century, Bieliszka which at that moment is called Magnunzal in Latin was already an important prime production center and it actually started to do a lot more massive destruction of salt.

00:06:15: Nevertheless, the real game changer came when those surface springs started to dry up.

00:06:21: So the concentration of these pounds come it started completely to disappear.

00:06:27: so that means The majority of salt was taken until then was really just in quotation marks the surface?

00:06:33: Yes

00:06:34: yes pretty much and I mean we're talking about the middle ages already.

00:06:38: We did a big jump.

00:06:41: Guess that it's common information, that salt was as pricey and cold sometimes.

00:06:48: What fascinates even more is when you tell me like I said... It's a huge jump!

00:06:53: It's thousands of years and until that time just the surface salt was sufficient to fill the needs of people.

00:07:01: until then That is amazing.

00:07:03: Yeah Of course This is such an area And there are always... You know these pounds.

00:07:11: after rain, it started to fill up again.

00:07:15: And he was a constant process.

00:07:16: but the mine is starting to be or like destruction has started to be so strong that eventually they dry out.

00:07:23: understood and I assume obviously with increasing population and also when people more understood their usage of salt.

00:07:30: then off Obviously demand changed an

00:07:33: increase in.

00:07:33: yeah

00:07:34: The demand before what's not comparable towards you would have afterwards.

00:07:38: Nevertheless, the miners follow of the Borlach rule.

00:07:43: This rule was formulated by the advisor on mining issues of the electorate of Saxony here in Germany engineer Johannes Borlac.

00:07:53: and they're all set And I will read it to you.

00:07:57: where brine sprints lay one can expect sole layers which are because of the saltiness of the springs.

00:08:05: Water flew through these layers and absorbed the salt before it springed out to the air surface, which basically means if there is soil in the surface.

00:08:17: It had also be found underground

00:08:19: because that has come from summer when there's no seaside nearby where we're talking about.

00:08:27: Yes of course!

00:08:28: We are talking a place close to Krakow So we are in the middle of continental Europe.

00:08:38: Well, after they followed this rule... ...of course started to explore.

00:08:44: and there is when actually officially discovered the soul mines.

00:08:49: Bohnia was discovered in twelve forty-eight and Bielicica in the late thirteenth century And basically these were the births of rogue salt mining in Poland.

00:09:04: So, for centuries after the discovery these mines collectively known as the Krakow Sol works were economic born of Polish kingdom.

00:09:14: from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century this sol provided about one third of the royal treasures income so it was pretty much the bank of a polish crown

00:09:26: who needs gold mine if you have salt mines apparently

00:09:29: Exactly, these well-founded significant projects in Poland including the Babel Castle which is the most significant castle in Kraków.

00:09:39: This is a Polish castle at the Krakow Academy and today it's an university The city walls of Krakowsk and fortifications also around the city And even the National Army.

00:09:55: There is a funny saying by King Casimir the Great, who reportedly said that he found Poland made of wood and let it made of stone.

00:10:06: This was basically how everybody perceived the soul mines.

00:10:12: He was actually known as King Kazimir the Great, just like a little parenthesis here because he also with money of the soul mines built hospital for miners and give miners special rights and privilege.

00:10:27: Of course coming from fact that they were pretty much giving treasure to Polish king

00:10:35: I mean yeah respect for recognizing who is responsible In the end, some that has not always been in history.

00:10:42: The rulers have recognized the foundation of their wealth and their income well enough so he seems to be really smart about recognizing who it is for them?

00:10:53: I think this is exactly why he's known as Kinsikasi Mildegrade!

00:10:59: It's in his name

00:11:00: right?!

00:11:00: And sometimes we don't know... Some of the kings are really owner to their honorific, so good to know that he was really one of those.

00:11:12: Bohnia now jumping again because the soul minds were in production for many centuries but more.

00:11:21: Bohnia stopped commercial production in nineteen ninety and Bieliszka in nineteen ninety three.

00:11:28: both of them work as primarily tourist attractions an sanatorium or a health resort.

00:11:36: True, there is a steel production of boiled salt in certain parts just to prevent collapses.

00:11:44: I

00:11:44: did not know they were active for so long... It's been around thirty years that they are inactive.

00:11:51: So it was really a very long period of active salt production.

00:11:57: Yes and i think this reflects one.

00:12:00: the most wonderful thing.

00:12:02: So visiting this place is that you can really see a lot of how they were extracting my soul in the twentieth century because it's still there, I mean its only has been thirty years since it officially closed or since day are officially close.

00:12:19: do You know why?

00:12:21: They stopped at us all production around.

00:12:23: There wasn't just really a dedicated decision to make on tourism.

00:12:28: Or was i assume they did not run dry or empty?

00:12:33: Well,

00:12:34: a part of the fact that they were producing less salt through with time.

00:12:39: That it was also at topic that I was going to mention a little bit afterwards which was okay A lot of the wooden bins that sustain in the whole complex where getting started to be rotten.

00:12:49: Also soil is starting to be cheaper and cheaper With the times.

00:12:53: so Of course The production of soul become didn't become economically viable anymore.

00:13:00: So there is a lot of reasons and it just eventually, he was dispensier to maintain the soul minds that actually continue

00:13:08: production."

00:13:09: And then probably now its more valuable in quotation marks as tourist attraction compared with pure salt production?

00:13:17: Exactly!

00:13:18: It became symbol government, so of course their protection is more vital than actually the soul that they could probably extract.

00:13:29: So this is pretty much... The history.

00:13:32: it's not like a lot of history but its like.

00:13:36: these basic facts are.

00:13:38: well no so long.

00:13:40: what is interesting in all?

00:13:41: the facts and stories come from the minds.

00:13:45: Between impressive history part of the Roger legend, of The King of Poland.

00:13:53: So it is... there are a lot of stories around that and one of them is the Legend of Prince Kinga.

00:14:03: The Princess Kinga of Hungary was destined to marry the prince of Krakow instead of Gaul.

00:14:08: she asked for a lump of soul as her dowry.

00:14:12: so of course coming back to what we already mentioned, was more valuable than gold at the time.

00:14:19: She threw her engagement ring into The Hungarian Soul Mine and upon arriving in Poland she told miners to dig near present-day Bieliczka.

00:14:31: They discovered a rich soul deposit and Kinga's ring inside of one of these rocks.

00:14:38: Kinga then became the patron saint Highly Catholic, and today the Stunning Saint King's Chapel which is inside Belichka it of course dedicated to her.

00:14:51: There is a chapel?

00:14:52: Inside a mine?

00:14:54: Yeah!

00:14:54: No there are lots things inside a mine... It´s huge complex

00:14:58: right?!

00:14:59: And actually I will say when i enter- I mean..I would not spoil it for anybody but with I entered the chapel you'll immediately see the lights because I will also mention in a little later, but it has huge chandelier inside.

00:15:16: And is huge!

00:15:17: It's like an completely form-cathedral inside the psalmine.

00:15:23: Okay...I

00:15:23: would have never expected that you find church within a psalme.

00:15:29: Perhaps as small complex or so?

00:15:33: And you can actually explore, I mean the whole route and i will mention also that a little bit later is quite long.

00:15:41: If don't remember wrong it was almost all day in the soul mines.

00:15:45: Oh wow!

00:15:47: Then of course I wanted to mentioned some information about the life of the miners.

00:15:52: so they were offcourse.

00:15:54: no ordinary laborers working in Belichka soul mines and in Bognia was actually considered a privilege, coming from all these specific living conditions that the kings of Poland offered to the miners.

00:16:12: Of course not only it was a privilege but also an honor for them And this workers were pretty much The best ones across the world.

00:16:26: They had really good conditions, including they have a maximum eight hour war day.

00:16:31: so at that time it must've been luxury right

00:16:34: exactly eh?

00:16:36: Day of course has a lot of rest periods and also I don't know if you know this role but mining So all is way safer and healthier than for instance coal mining or the special diamond mining, other kind of material mining.

00:16:54: I would assume because less dust might be created compared to the other ways?

00:17:00: Because i assume...I don't know anything about mining!

00:17:04: I will freely admit this but i assume when you're mining for coal or for other minerals then with be destroyed, like there will more dust and anything else coming into it.

00:17:18: And I assume if you're mining for salt by itself that would probably create less of this dangerous dust.

00:17:25: Yeah!

00:17:25: Of course... That's the reason why there is a sanatorium inside because actually There is actually research and I will mention that a little bit afterwards where it says, okay yes breathing.

00:17:38: So being in the sole environment is really good for people with asthma or other breathing conditions.

00:17:49: Well also something interesting about the miners.

00:17:53: coming back to this topic They did a lot of sculptures inside their mind Of course, they had no formal art training or anything like that.

00:18:04: But many of them last until today and it is really interesting to see how much of an owner was for them... ...that actually preserved the site quite a lot!

00:18:18: The real interesting fact is there were lots of horses on the ground.

00:18:22: so now imagine... Horses working hundreds of meters underground sounds crazy but this one's normal some point of history.

00:18:34: the maximum number of horses were eighty and they live and work hundreds of meters below ground.

00:18:42: there was, of course an underground stable chamber.

00:18:47: And yes today visitors can actually visit this um the stable and also see the horse power trade mills that we're using for mining work.

00:19:00: I think the first question that comes to mind, how do you bring a horse that deep down below?

00:19:06: Because i assume they will not like the journey down there.

00:19:12: Yeah no for sure...I mean we know they are certain level of trains and this is my next interesting fact.

00:19:18: so Bosnia it's an unique attraction.

00:19:22: well before they had a train for mining where The same mechanism that bring the horses in also extracted the soil out, which is these curies.

00:19:34: That are like a train with what they mine but they kind of transformed it somehow and today It features one hundred and measured underground its light Which is Europe's only underground boat crossing.

00:19:53: This this kind Train has, of course an sports court a playground.

00:20:02: Uh what I mentioned before are rating train and passes through the center of San Kinga's Chapel.

00:20:10: so just to be clear.

00:20:13: there is a train inside their complex that you can mount and go through detractions

00:20:19: And pass for all these side that you've mentioned like a sports ground Like a chapel tour guide train in there.

00:20:29: Yeah, I mean that is also of course...I do not remember and i'm not really sure this is included in one research but it could be useful for people who have mobility issues because you had to work a lot down up if they are unable to walk properly.

00:20:55: You cannot miss, oh my goodness.

00:20:57: The SRAMS Barak's chamber.

00:21:00: I'm sorry again i am probably butchering the name.

00:21:03: it contains an underground lake that is thirty two percent saltier than the Dead Sea or also in Belichka.

00:21:12: you shouldn't miss the Bicha-Lawis' Chamber or Micha-Laowish?

00:21:17: Oh god!

00:21:19: We will try to spell it out somewhere

00:21:22: For sure, a three-six meter tall hole with giant wooden pillars that took around one century to build and is the largest chandelier in the mine.

00:21:35: And the stainless stand six chamber which reached a height of fifty meters was even used for hot air balloon rides and bungee jumping at some point

00:21:48: underground Hot Air Balloon Rides.

00:21:51: Yes, I mean it is a massive chamber that today are using for touristic purposes.

00:21:58: So they do a lot of activities in these rooms?

00:22:03: Even though its massive i still think my head cannot wrap around the fact like bungee jumping or hot air balloons underground.

00:22:11: It just seems counterintuitive.

00:22:13: but if you mentioned there at large and it's possible oh wow yeah But thats off course.

00:22:18: nothing thing would originally come to mind when you think about a salt mine.

00:22:24: Exactly and I think that it is really interesting because one of the amazing facts, actually people can stay inside but i will mention this later.

00:22:35: what's also very interesting are the amazing preservation on the side with air quality so under ground its clean and sterile allergens, bacteria and pollutants.

00:22:51: And why?

00:22:52: Because of the of course the salt concentration.

00:22:55: it is to date ten times higher than the salt concentrations in the polysicure.

00:23:05: And Bicitor sometimes can see crystal capes filled with pure halide crystals up to fifty centimeters wide so they are still forming reservoirs.

00:23:19: These soul mines had also really interesting and famous visitors.

00:23:24: One of them was Nikolaus Copernicus, Of course we know he is Polish And Johann Wolkan von Goethe a German who explored the mines in seventeen ninety

00:23:36: Good to knew what.

00:23:37: some places to visit.

00:23:38: Yeah all right

00:23:39: His Italy visits are obviously quite famous.

00:23:42: I didn't know that here.

00:23:43: Also visiting the salt mines yeah?

00:23:45: I remember when He visited this huge three in the first Botanic Garden, in Italy.

00:23:55: Remember when

00:23:56: we... I am part of

00:23:57: them.

00:23:58: That was amazing and that guy had really explored it.

00:24:02: he enjoyed his life.

00:24:03: um Of course beyond to this is some.

00:24:07: uh The Latchambers today host also true sanitizee visions sport tournaments scientific conferences And concerts sometimes.

00:24:17: So quite an interesting place, right?

00:24:20: Yeah considering that it's not active anymore.

00:24:22: It still seems pretty active around there.

00:24:24: I mean visits.

00:24:26: he had a lot of visitors every year.

00:24:29: so now That we are That We know a little bit about what.

00:24:35: why the this all minds aren't interested.

00:24:38: We go to why.

00:24:40: its our heritage site though.

00:24:42: I think that is pretty obvious criteria.

00:24:47: do you think that...

00:24:53: I have to admit, like the first discussion i had to make with myself is it only a cultural heritage site or mixed world heritage sites?

00:25:07: I really don't know.

00:25:11: It meets three criteria and two of them are cultural.

00:25:15: one is natural

00:25:17: No, unfortunately no.

00:25:20: The soul mines only have one which is criteria number four historic example.

00:25:26: So it's a cultural only then?

00:25:27: It is only cultured.

00:25:29: the soul mines are an standout example of architecture and design from in specific period of time Which is pretty much from the fourth into the sixteenth century.

00:25:41: Well The Belichka sawmine was added first in the year of nineteen seventy-eight, and then it was annexed by Bohnia sawmines.

00:25:54: Of course they recognized for its extraordinary historical and cultural value And in two thousand thirteen It's when it expanded also listing Bohnia Roja sawmined.

00:26:09: I think there's a good sort of reference to what we talked about in our last episode, the Honey National Reserve Park that even though... You

00:26:19: can extend.

00:26:20: Yeah!

00:26:20: Even if something is already on the heritage side when you have enough reason for extension this can lead to a World Heritage Site being expanded upon which seems here because they are so closely connected with their dependence and development.

00:26:37: Also, I mean let's think about it.

00:26:39: The first work heritage site was subscribed in nineteen seventy-eight first and those times the soul mines were still being mined.

00:26:48: So

00:26:49: this

00:26:49: is also another really interesting topic which means for instance foreign economic driven place.

00:26:58: It could be open.

00:26:59: And its interesting because a soul mine can destroyed would be by my mining.

00:27:06: And he was subscribed already, so that time had to quite impressive already.

00:27:11: Yeah but as you mentioned the majority of why it wasn't scrapped is its historical background.

00:27:18: So I assumed not a real mining process or mine itself But how important during middle ages and when active destroyed, we would have a whole other discussion about the infrastructure or about the significance of the word heritage site compared to wealth.

00:27:41: Now that fact is not being actively assault mine anymore?

00:27:47: Exactly and I found it really interesting as well... needs to be understood that Belichka is way bigger than Bohnia.

00:27:57: So maybe I assumed by the time, but to be honest... about it was or I didn't saw in my research, if they probably closed part of the Bielicca site just for touristic purposes because one is a requirement that visitors can actually come and see.

00:28:19: Exactly

00:28:20: so i will assume not like full mining already by nineteen seventy-eight.

00:28:27: well Today, the village and Boknia mines are among more Poland's oldest continuously operating companies.

00:28:34: So it is actually a companion on today which is one that runs of all the attraction complex

00:28:40: just doesn't mind salt anymore.

00:28:42: It minds tourists

00:28:43: and they I mean, they are one of the oldest continuous operating companies because it had been running since middle ages.

00:28:51: Preserving not only monetary reasons why the soul was opened but also history culture and craftsmanship.

00:29:01: So yeah that's what we heard

00:29:05: on that side natural criteria.

00:29:16: To be fully honest, since we also noted the whole criteria and nomination process in way of working for UNESCO has evolved.

00:29:25: I do not actually know if by nineteen seventy-eight there already was a possibility For mixed world heritage site or if this came just later something perhaps like.

00:29:36: We need to check out ourselves after what's on quite curious have to admit about it.

00:29:40: Since when?

00:29:41: Can something via Mixed World Heritage Site?

00:29:43: but Yeah, I would have assumed from the importance of the salt mines around there could've been also a natural one.

00:29:49: Yes and no... Of course!

00:29:51: And what i found interesting is that when Bohnia was subscribed in two thousand and thirteen The name of the sites changed to Poland's Royal Soul Mines.

00:30:04: So before it was like this whole mine of Belichka and then they put it like in a bundle.

00:30:09: So I'm pretty sure that also when the criteria changes, maybe also change is there.

00:30:15: Also what?

00:30:16: The requirements...I think That's another thing to consider.

00:30:19: Maybe the governments do not require more criteria To be subscribed to the place because It has different requirements And could even harder get them.

00:30:30: This something too.

00:30:31: research Because i am quite interested.

00:30:35: And now we go a little bit to Wochow to visit and some travel tips that you should have in mind when you are thinking about going to the Rodja Sołd mines of Poland.

00:30:45: The first one is Bielicka, it's closer to Kraków, around thirty kilometers or eight miles from Krakowsk to the south and Bognia, it's around twenty five miles or forty kilometers to the east of Krakow.

00:31:03: So they actually are something I probably had not mentioned so far.

00:31:08: when i went there...I went with a tour from Kraków..so I just paid for one day trip.

00:31:14: So they drive me to Belichka first, because it's the bigger mine and then Toboknya.

00:31:19: And then back to Krakow.

00:31:20: so this is probably what I will highly recommend these kind of trip Because obviously most likely Jewel hop It's going to be crack up

00:31:29: Which by itself was also an amazing place to stay right?

00:31:33: One Of The cities that Is Also very high on my must visit list.

00:31:37: but i think we have described in a past That our must visitors are already too long for Everything to take about.

00:31:43: you told me, You had an amazing time in Krakow.

00:31:46: Not that's not even a question.

00:31:48: it is more the fact That I was so highly surprised because i wasn't expecting having So much fun and seeing so much history And how pretty and Baroque The city Is?

00:32:00: I was expecting...I mean.. I Had More idea About Warsaw being A little bit colder City Because of all the History behind.

00:32:08: But Kraków completely surprised me and I think that was why i was like wow okay this is cool, this is nice.

00:32:15: This is a really nice place.

00:32:18: um something really interesting.

00:32:20: of course you don't really have to take a tour if you don' t want to there.

00:32:24: it's also the possibility to reach by car taxi over... It's around twenty thirty minutes for a drive and you can also get a bus.

00:32:35: so there is one line the three oh four bus which goes directly to Bielicica, it takes around also thirty minutes.

00:32:45: You need to buy this zone One & Zone two ticket but its of course the most cheapest option!

00:32:52: You can take train from Cracop Glownew to Bielecica.

00:32:56: It takes about twenty minutes and departs twice an hour.

00:33:02: As I mentioned before, they had organized tours which make it a lot of easier for you.

00:33:06: So i remember taking me lunch as well.

00:33:09: so we went to one mine... What

00:33:11: was the most important experience you had in Italy?

00:33:14: I got lunch!

00:33:15: No actually It was a big bus but what I love is that basically were like You are free to go for like six hours in Belichlaka and if I'm not wrong, three hours in Bohnia.

00:33:30: So they just literally was the logistics what they took over.

00:33:34: so there is also this type of tours If you are interested to actually walk with everybody.

00:33:39: Also it's a little hard because some places can be really narrow can be annoying, so just you to have it in mind.

00:33:54: I mean if you could do it alone i would highly recommend because of course there is information in each of the rooms that you're visiting and also you have an audio guide in case you want to know a little bit more about history.

00:34:07: Was busy when were they crowded?

00:34:10: Yes for everybody's knowledge its one of most visited sites on Poland.

00:34:20: Imagine everybody that visit Krakow goes to the soulminds.

00:34:24: So it is quite demanding, especially in summertime.

00:34:28: so from May until September It's quite visited but also if you're going out of this time just quite cold Just have it in mind and probably go early.

00:34:42: That

00:34:43: was before covid right?

00:34:45: It was way Before Covid I visited in.

00:34:51: There was a time before COVID.

00:34:53: Yes, it was really nice time before Covid.

00:34:58: Well the mines Has are really stable underground weather always in an around seventeen degrees or sixty-three Fahrenheit All year round.

00:35:10: so when you're thinking to go and winter please do not be concerned because inside there where that is all with the same.

00:35:17: Maybe just think about how it's gonna be outside and visiting outside places could be a little bit harder.

00:35:25: Anytime as I mentioned is good time, but of course summer.

00:35:28: As i mentioned before this big season.

00:35:30: so also you need to book your tickets ahead.

00:35:36: Of course You can pay there But that is going to be crowds And especially because Many Polish tourists do not get the tickets in advance, so you will see a lot of people on the line.

00:35:48: So to avoid crowds visit early they pay your ticket online.

00:35:53: This is something that I think we have learned sometimes the hardware as general recommendation Check way in advance and some places especially World Heritage Site if need pre-booking We had multiple times already situation where You needed look actually Months in advance to be able to get bookings and not just because well, there are crowds but actually Because access is limited.

00:36:20: So this Is something I think very good important in general To keep in mind when you're interested In visiting World Heritage Site Research And time because some places Are really Really Limited with regard to the Access that You Get.

00:36:32: Exactly Well it's also An advantage that sometimes you can only find benefits online.

00:36:42: So for the case of Bieliczka and Bohnia, it is important to book online.

00:36:50: if you want a specific preferred language For instance.

00:36:54: they do not have I think Italian Polish German English If one of these languages most likely will be booked in advance A part of Polish.

00:37:07: I think polish is like a really current.

00:37:11: Also something real interesting bohnia tickets are actually cheaper online.

00:37:15: So yes, it's not that This compared because it's a bit harder to get

00:37:20: exactly.

00:37:21: so Of course if you want to visit both in my case was an standard fee But if you wanted to be seen both Like sorry by yourself most likely It's better to bug online.

00:37:38: Also, I mean thinking about how narrow for instance Belishka is you cannot do self-guided tours only so you need somebody.

00:37:50: Regarding the tours that you can take, actually they are several and in Bielicica because it's the most visited place.

00:37:56: You can find four and divided by names which I found really interesting.

00:38:01: so The first one is the Tourist route Which is the most popular?

00:38:04: It's a comprehensive three-hour walk and includes as an option a one-hour museum tour, covering two kilometers or more of famous highlights like chapels lakes and sculptures around the sawmine.

00:38:23: These tours are pretty much during the whole day And most frequent languages are English and Polish.

00:38:33: The second is the miners route and it's a little bit of more an interactive kind of tour.

00:38:41: It has some experiences where you dress as minor, perform tux-tux.

00:38:46: this has almost the same length that the tourist route also covers two kilometers for different parts of the mine

00:38:54: And

00:38:55: is really cute because at the end you earn an honorary minor certificate.

00:39:00: This is of course the most kid friendly option.

00:39:03: There is always also the pilgrims route, which of course is a faith focus.

00:39:09: This is still a really catholic-driven site and this special tour goes through places for worship & faith and it's usually just for private groups on their request.

00:39:26: And finally there are graduation tours called Relaxing Tour.

00:39:32: It's an oratur, it is actually a structure when you are put with.

00:39:39: that releases salt-infused mist for natural inhalation therapy and its highly recommended for allergies or asthma.

00:39:48: And it's around the thirty minute visit which makes maximum time to be there but also for health benefits.

00:39:57: I assume your taking the minus too.

00:40:00: Yeah, I don't remember what i got as a certificate but because I didn't know that it was even an option.

00:40:06: But anyway Bognia Tours has just the tourist route and It also includes multimedia exhibition of The ways of working off the miners Also on underground boat crossing And even a horse-root passage.

00:40:26: these um...the most common tours in the Bohnia tour are actually English, German Spanish and Polish.

00:40:37: The accessibility what in Bohnia has prepared a route especially for people with disabilities so it also can be visited by people that have some movement issues.

00:40:54: I also researched a little bit more about the health benefits of soul therapy just because i was curious.

00:41:01: So for biological they have a healing chamber called Heilish Tollen, which is a German word for respiratory diseases and it's especially helpful to people with asthma and allergies.

00:41:14: And Bohknia had actually a sanatorium where you can stay overnight.

00:41:19: It is important here to do a caution.

00:41:21: So in the research that has been developed so far, some experts say it's that dry air can actually worsen asthma.

00:41:30: but actually the EAFA, The Asthma Analogy Foundation of America says its actually likely safe and issued Be used bad approach with caution.

00:41:43: So just to be clear, it is important also for you depending of each person To also visit your doctor before actually trying to stay in the sanatorium In case You want to have some health therapies in the sore minds.

00:42:00: Something Also to mention and It's because I saw a lot Of comments where most of the criticism for the place is about how much you have to walk up and down.

00:42:10: So please expect a lot of steps, dress properly because especially in the Belishka tour You had to walk down A lot.

00:42:19: around three hundred and fifty wooden steps are to be encountered And it can be slippery and so on.

00:42:25: There's

00:42:25: a slide right?

00:42:27: Yeah But Of course It's not for everybody

00:42:30: Not every part but there still you go down a slide.

00:42:34: Also, I don't think that everybody wants to slide down.

00:42:39: But if you are... That would be amazing!

00:42:42: That will save some steps.

00:42:45: Of course there is in the sites.

00:42:48: add facilities available including cafes, gift shops restrooms and something super interesting they found Bohnia has actually an underground bar

00:42:59: A Bar?

00:43:00: Like alcohol drinks bar.

00:43:02: Yes

00:43:05: Leaving the mine, it's a little bit easier actually because when you go in and walking but going out is through an elevator.

00:43:14: The museum tour uses different faster elevators than the shortened tours.

00:43:21: so just for you to know also sometimes especially peak hours taking out of the elevator can take alot times.

00:43:29: please have that account.

00:43:32: And you mentioned, instead of the walking is like there are certain parts.

00:43:36: You can go with this sort in underground train right?

00:43:41: Yes!

00:43:42: Of course I guess that has to be a specific requirements when you get tickets.

00:43:48: so please have mine also as well if you want it to go on the slide or maybe on the train.

00:43:56: no i think its actually free but in case not.

00:44:02: And also, as I had mentioned several times you can stay in both of the mines.

00:44:09: They have a sleeping facilities and of course is an unforgettable experience from one eye.

00:44:16: Also research.

00:44:17: so maybe if it's a possibility for you?

00:44:19: I don't think they will be bad to say that each.

00:44:22: hey I stayed in a soul mind Me hundred of kilometers on the ground.

00:44:29: finally off course Bieliczka and Bognia are a must-see wonder in Poland.

00:44:36: And, I... In my perspective it really shows the human creativity preservants and power of soul in the Middle Ages.

00:44:45: so i found that incredibly interesting.

00:44:50: So..I can just say It's a wonderland!

00:44:54: Please

00:44:54: visit!!

00:44:55: It is really

00:44:56: nice!!!

00:44:59: It is not an expensive experience and it's really easy to reach from Krakow or other major cities.

00:45:06: So if you can, please go on.

00:45:10: let us know what do you think afterwards?

00:45:12: Would you go another time

00:45:14: for sure?

00:45:14: I mean i Do have two because You haven't been there.

00:45:17: So it's kind of... I could go

00:45:19: by myself.

00:45:21: No, but actually don't remember seeing the bar in Bognia.

00:45:24: so i would love to finish you know going through both mines going to Belichika in the morning then to Bognia and finish that tour on a boat?

00:45:34: That will be nice!

00:45:37: But probably we'll need our own cars because they won't wait for us.

00:45:42: Well, if we sleep there and stay at night then like that might solve the problem anyway.

00:45:45: That would be really interesting as well.

00:45:48: So let's

00:45:49: check it out yeah.

00:45:50: Anyway so that's everything for todays episode.

00:45:53: please As I had mentioned several times during this episode Checkout information We are gonna be publishing at work here in Dutch Rookies.

00:46:04: And what do you

00:46:06: think?

00:46:07: First thank-you obviously For all of your details that you provided.

00:46:11: I have to admit, next to the historical background what i really enjoyed was your first hand experience of visiting...I think this is always good when you know from somebody who has actually been there and if they liked it or want to keep in mind.

00:46:28: so this was also like really good to know how much you enjoyed it.

00:46:32: And yeah!

00:46:34: Like already mentioned Next time going into Poland..i think we need some some stops in and around Krakow.

00:46:43: I mean, seriously it's a beautiful city!

00:46:46: And not only because of the historical parts but also especially summer is such a charming city.

00:46:56: so yeah... I'll not say just go in summer, but it is also a really nice time.

00:47:02: maybe to consider going around June.

00:47:05: When was actually August?

00:47:08: Also possibility if you can and have this alternative.

00:47:13: Great!

00:47:14: Thankyou so much for all of these.

00:47:18: Hope that our listeners enjoyed the episode as much as i did.

00:47:23: Next week its again my turn.

00:47:27: Where are we going that?

00:47:28: We Are jumping again to another continent.

00:47:32: We're not Going back to the Americas, and were actually going this time To Africa.

00:47:38: who our first african site?

00:47:40: I think so yeah right here.

00:47:43: our first Our first at in Africa.

00:47:46: So i have to admit there was one of The episodes.

00:47:50: i think it Was the One That i was looking the second most forward to after Aachen Cathedral from the first selection that we did.

00:47:58: So I guess you can be quite excited about hearing our next episode and until then thank you everyone for listening.

00:48:06: have a great time until the next episode, see you then!

00:48:09: Thank you for listening.

00:48:10: goodbye

00:48:11: bye.