Krakow

Wieliczka – is the city where you can see the famous salt mine– one of the oldest in Europe. Amazing salt chapels dating from the 17th century, 136 meters underground.
It is the only salt mine in the world that has been active since the Middle Ages.
There is a special 3.5 km tourist circuit, which goes through some of the most amazing salt galleries and chapels, with sculptures that are quite unique.
The best chapel is that of Saint Kinga (patron saint of the miners).
You will also find the Hall of the Vistula River – a restaurant that doubles up as souvenir shop. The mine has been in operation since the middle of the 13th century. It became a Unesco World heritage Site in 1978.

The Wieliczka mine is situated 10 km from the centre of Krakow. To get there, follow the E40 road or you can get a train from Krakow Central station. There are also minibuses (LUX-BUS line).

Admission:
Adults: approximately 11,25 € (about 45 zlotys)
With an English guide, approximately 16€ (64 zlotys)

Opening times:
April-October: 7:30am to 7.30pm
November to March: 8am to 5pm
Closed on 1st January, Easter (Holy Saturday from 7.30am to 2pm), 1st November and 24th and 25th December (31st December from 8am till 2pm).
http://www.kopalnia.pl
Email address: turystyka@kopalnia.pl
Tel: 0048 12 278 73 02 (information and ticket reservation)

Oświęcim-Brzezinka (in German: Konzentrationslager Auschwitz-Birkenau) – a group of concentration camps in Oświęcim built during the Second World War (1940). It is situated about 43 km from Krakow (to the west). Between 1.5 and 2.5 million people were killed in the camp. Most of them were Jews and Slavs.

Above the gate you can read this sentence in German “Arbeit macht frei” (which translates as “Work makes you free”). The camp was in the hands of the Soviets in 1945.

It is now a site of historical memory and houses the Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Address: Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau (National Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau)
Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, Oświęcim
Tel: +48 33 844 8003/4 (office)

Museum opening times:
Monday - Sunday:
December – February: 8am to 3pm
March – November: 8am to 4pm
April-October: 8am to 5pm
May –September: 8am to 6pm
June, July, August: 8am to 7pm
http://pl.auschwitz.org.pl

Two places of great religious importance can also be found close to Krakow.

Wadowice – birthplace of Karol Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II, it is situated 50 km from Krakow. You can see the places where he spent his childhood and youth, and very interesting museums about his life.
The family home of John Paul II – the house where he spent his childhood now houses a museum.
Museum opening times (visits cannot be booked in advance):
Closed on Monday
October - April: 9am – noon; 1pm – 4pm
May - September: 9am – 1pm; 2pm – 6pm
Address: Kościelna 7, Wadowice
tel.  0048 33 823 26 62
www.domrodzinnyjanapawla.pl
E-mail: dom.rodzinny.jana.pawla.2@neostrada.pl

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – located 40 km southwest of Krakow, it is the Sanctuary of the Passion and the Virgin Mary. Note the Baroque Basilica and the Benedictine monastery, as well as various chapels.
It was listed a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999.

Address: Monastery of the Benedictine Fathers
Kalwaria zebrzydowska
Bernardyńska 46
Tel. 0048 33 876 63 04
E-mail: info@kalwaria.eu

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