Route Change – Mining Works and a Special Discount for Visitors

We would like to inform you that from March 31 to April 18, 2025, part of the tourist route featuring the multimedia exhibition will be temporarily closed due to intensive mining works. These activities are aimed at modernizing the route and reconstructing historic cross-cuts leading to the following chambers: Nadzaskrzynie, Szara Kamienica, and Gutteter.

As compensation, all visitors whose standard tour would include the closed section will receive discounted admission tickets.
The routes included in the promotion and ticket prices can be found in our online store.

Temporarily unavailable – but still fascinating. Discover the history of these chambers:

• Nadzaskrzynie Chamber
  In the Old Polish era, this chamber was known as Zaskrzynia Górna, and also recorded as Nad Zaokrzynie. It was created in the early 18th century and used for extracting so-called “barrel salt.” After the deposits were depleted, it was partially backfilled in 1763 with rock rubble from the newly constructed August Gallery – the same one currently used by visitors. The current mining work aims to complete the backfilling process started in the 18th century.
• Szara Kamienica Chamber
  One of the most technically demanding workings. As early as the 18th century, it was already a large and high chamber. In 1733, a parliamentary commission ordered it to be secured through backfilling. This process continued for decades, using rubble from the Horse Gear Chamber above the Regis shaft and from the August Gallery. Current operations are aimed at securing the remaining voids in this historic chamber.
• Gutteter Chamber
  Named after Augustyn Gutteter, a mine official from a wealthy Kraków burgher family. Over time, the name evolved and was also recorded as Gultyten. The chamber was created at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, with exploitation ending in the 1630s. Like other chambers, it was included in the 1733 order for systematic backfilling to prevent rock mass deformation.

Why are chambers backfilled in mining?

Backfilling is the process of filling in excavated underground spaces with rock material or other fillers. The main goal is to secure post-extraction voids, which—if left unsupported—could lead to collapses, rock slides, or even surface deformations.

In historic mines like ours, backfilling also plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, ensuring the structural stability of the entire underground complex. This allows us to safely welcome visitors below ground.

We warmly invite you to explore the remaining parts of the Bochnia Salt Mine!

📅 Promotion valid from March 31 to April 18, 2025
💻 Check current prices in our online store: