POLAND: SALT SCULPTURES
[01:19:58:00]
These are the mines of Wieliczka, just a few kilometres from Krakow. It is one of the oldest mines in the world, with a fascinating history. However it is not coal that is mined here, but grey salt. At one time it was a profitable resource. To be made a salt miner was considered a privilege, an honour even.
[01:20:20:00] - Interview No.1 Marek Czyzlowski – Miner and guide
Salt at the time, meant wealth. It was a noble product… So those who worked here were very happy to be miners. They did not just gather salt, but also protected the mine. Do not forget that this mine is located directly below the town of Wieliczka.
[01:20:41:00] – Narration
And then one day, a miner had the stroke of inspiration to carve a little dwarf in a block of salt, with surprising results. Then he and his colleagues created more sculptures.
[01:20:53:00] - Interview No.2 Marek Czyzlowski – miner and guide
The salt mine is not only a historical monument, it is also a monument of the Polish labour. They want to protect and preserve this wealth for centuries and centuries. The miners not only made sculptures, but also painted and decorated the mine. To many polish miners it became a second home.
[01:21:27:00] – Narration
The underground mine of Wieliczka was transformed into a formidable salt masterpiece.
[01:21:34:00]
But one buried almost 300 metres deep below the ground: a huge chapel carved directly into the body of the mine.
[01:21:42:00]
The floor, ceiling, chandelier and wall decorations are all incredibly carved purely out of the salt.
[01:21:53:00]
It took a staggering ten years for three miners to turn this huge cave into a chapel for worship, creating a truly magical location where they could come to pray before starting their hard work.
[01:22:06:00]
The talent of the young miners has not gone unnoticed. The mine has now been recognized by Unesco who have classified it as a historical monument.
[01:22:23:00] OUT