Just outside of Krakow there is the larges salt mine in Europe. It is 327 meters deep (about 1000 feet) and has 9 floors. It was discovered in the 13th century and active mining took place until 1996. The "museum" only goes down to 150 meters and the first 4 floors. There are 400 steps to get there. There are a series of tunnels and very strange rock-salt carvings. A couple of lakes to act as resivoirs (salt + water = not good for miners or tourists!). There is an elevator that holds about 10 people per compartment and takes you to the surface in about 45 seconds! It is very bizzare, but interesting. The pictures really don't do justice as it is tough to take pictures down there.
Lars stayed home with Espen and the 4 of us went for a tour
Jon and Espen - Espen let him hold him for a grand total of about 45 seconds.
Mamma and crazy Sofia before bed
Self photo at lunch
Lunch before the Salt Mine tour.
57 flights of spiral stairs.
Mamma and Sofia on the bus
Sofia on her way down the stairs.
Rock-salt caves - they say, in this form, it is as strong as marble.
The largest underground cathedral. many rock salt carvings
Sofia and Jon with the creepy horse statue
Mamma and Sofia with Pope John Paul II
Jenn, Sofia and Jon after our tour
Sofia got a little pink plastic pony sitting on top of a chunk of salt
One of the "lakes" - notice the salt crystals in the air
Sofia and Jon "skipping" down the tunnels
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