The Salt Mine Bochnia - the oldest ceaselessly operating industrial establishment in Europe spellbinds with the beauty of underground world. It was established in 1248. Pioneer and unique in the continent mining techniques were employed in the mine.
In its prime - during King Casimir the Great reigns - the mine contributed the third part of the state income together with the Wieliczka Mine.
Visitors to the Bochnia undergrounds are particularly attracted by complex geological rock structure, well-preserved exploration evidence rawness of excavations. Beiing in the mine one feels atmosphere in which miners worked hundreds years ago. Stays at the salt mine make body resting and regenerating processes faster.
Downhills influence nervous system perfectly. They are used in therapy of air passages, skin diseases, diseases of growing age, metabolism diseases and many others. The air in the mine features unique microelement richness and it is crystal clear. There are a sports hall,dance floor, tennis tables 250m underground in 275 m long The WaĹźyn Chamber. Other attractions are: For the desired of adventures, we have got an extreme route.
Region of Bochnia
In the region of Bochnia business, holiday, cultural and activ turism is developed. Bochnia is conspicuous because of its climate profitable for health. The town makes an excellent base for excursions to sites in Small Poland/Malopolska as well as in the Beskid Mountains. Bochnia is located nearby the international E4 speedway. International railway (Görlitz - Wroclaw - Cracow - Lviv) runs through Bochnia. It is very easy to get from Bochnia to: Wieliczka (25 km), Cracow (30 km), Auschwitz (100 km). Bochnia is located in central part of Malopolska.
The Bochnia surroundings are characterised by exceptional differentiation of landscape. There are both extensive plains covered with The Niepolomicka Forest as well as Wieliczka Foot-hills with Wisnicko-Lipnicki Lanscape Park (14 311 ha) and Beskid Wyspowy Mountains. In the Bochnia administrative district one can find interesting rock forms.
Region of Bochnia is characterised by richness of plant species. Particularly interesting are: wide range of bird and butterflies species. Here there are nearly
20 parks of the nobility manors from XIX century and 6 nature reserves. Natural surroundings of Bochnia are free from crowds of tourists. Here you can long walk and you will meet nobody. Many paths and marked tourist routes give very good conditions for walking, horse and bike tourism. Forests are attraction for hunting tourists. River Raba is known as one of the most attractive for canoening in Poland. In Bochnia and vicinity, there is possibility of buy products from pure farms.
Salt town Bochnia has medieval structure lanes. In the town rises a beautiful Gothic basilica under the invocation of St. Nicolaus. The regional Stanislaw Fischer Museum in Bochnia is known as one of the most interesting ones in Poland. Region of Bochnia is famous for The Castle in Nowy Wisnicz. The Castle is one of the gratest example of Renaissance and baroque architecture in Small Poland/Malopolska.
Lipnica Murowana is famous for Easter Palms Contest and cultural monuments. Every year Trip from Niegowic to Lapanów in Bochnia administrative districkt takes place. This is Pope's Route. Here wanderd Jan Paul II.
