THE MINER’S GREETING - “GOD BLESS”

“You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14)

Labour underground has always been associated with great danger hazardous to life. That is why miners used to build chapels underground in which they attended mass every morning.

The numerous underground chapels as well as customs and rites, verbal folklore, art, and especially sculpting in rock salt religious subjects testify to the fact that the cult of holy patrons was very important in the Wieliczka miners’ culture. The miners exposed to constant perils placed their health and wellbeing in the hands of the Almighty, the Holy Mother of God, and the holy patrons. Apart from the main patron, St. Kinga, there were other more prominent apostles celebrated by the miners’ cult, i.e. St. Anthony Padewski, St. Clemens, and St. Barbara. These traditions are continued today as well as the miners’ greeting “God Bless” with which the miners greet and say goodbye to people they meet underground. The first “God Bless” is said at the moment of descending into the mine, and the final “God Bless” resounds when exiting the mine to the surface, i.e. “the outside world”.

Visiting Principles

• Visiting requires earlier booking.
• Visiting lasts ca 2 hours and takes place under the supervision of a guide.
• Holy Mass can be requested in the Chapel of St. John after the pilgrimage.
• Visitors descend down the staircase (378 steps) to Level I (64 m underground).
• Visitors exit the mine by taking a lift in the Daniłowicz Shaft from Level III (135 meters underground).
• The underground ambient temperature is between 14 -16ºC, and therefore, visitors are kindly
• requested to take some warm clothes with them.
• We also offer lunches/dinners served in the underground restaurant.
• We offer accommodation in the Grand Sal**** Hotel.

Ticket prices

Guide services

Tourist groups should purchase admission tickets and pay an additional fee for guide services.

A special menu for pilgrim groups, children and teenagers can be served if booked earlier.

• Menu for pilgrim groups - PDF file
• Menu for children and teenagers - PDF file

You may make a tour reservation via internet. In order to do so, please fill out the reservation form. On the form, in the box with the heading NOTES, please write: VISTING THE PRILGRIMAGE ROUTE.

Information

tel. +48 12 278 73 02
tel. +48 12 278 73 66
fax +48 12 278 73 33
e-mail: turystyka@kopalnia.pl

The media sponsors of the pilgrimage route