Salt Mine set to see record visitor numbers
PR dla Zagranicy
Jo Harper
15.07.2015 08:47
The number of visitors to the historic salt mine in Wieliczka near Kraków topped the 600,000 mark in the first six months of 2015.
Im Salzbergwerk Wieliczka
Director of the Salt Mine Kajetan d'Obyrn has told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that given last year the mine attracted just under 1.3 million tourists, 2015 is likely to be a record year.
Foreigners account for about a half of visitors. They come from Britain, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, the United States, China and even such far-away countries as Vanuatu and the Republic of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine was founded in the middle of the 13th century. It features a 3.5-km touring route for visitors that includes historic statues and mythical figures. There are also a large chapel, an underground lake, as well as a private rehabilitation and wellness complex.
In 1978 the Wieliczka Mine was included in the original UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Its website www.kopalnia.pl had over one million visits in the first half of this year. (mk/jh)
Source: PAP