The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-08
A CITY HEWN IN SALT.
WOMDROUS SIGHTS IN THE FAMOUS
WiELICzkA MINES.


DenthIIke Silence.
1t would take at least three weeks {
visit every portion of tho marveloussa
city of Wieliczka, the center of the salt IL
dlstry Of Polish Austria. Men hav
worked in its hollows for centuries, leay
ing IL as legacy to posterity Horse
have been brought to life and died ther
without seeing the light Of day 1t ib 81
lent and dark, except when tho voices 0
| people echo through its countless tortuou
halls and the candle of the guide or flasI
Of the roman light discovers its massive
and glittering wonders. II is IA city .ewr
in salt -ss-F; 4'tss.-,-,-- g.
The mines are under the direct contro
of tho Austro Hungarian minister o
finance Here the wonders spoken abou,
may be seen as thoy have been seen by
people for nearly 1000 years During
that time the skilled hand of the laborel
in the Wieliczka salt mines has been at
work turning the depths Of darkness into
a realm OF beauty. 1t has created ball.
rooms, chepels, altars, statues, rcstau-
rants, railways, chandeliers, staircnscs,
pillars and thrones in the bowels of the
earth, and the grandeur of these has OK
cited tho admiration Of tho world The
mines date buck to 1044 and now have q
length of over 224 miles
Almost blinded by darkness and fright
ened by the eerie echo of his own foot
steps, the visitor first enters some colossal
chamber followed out by tho laborer in
the ordinary course of mining after plan
laid down by somo master mind He al
most loses himself in the oxpanso of the
Letow ballroom, which, with its mural
decoration, illuminated galleries, stalwart
pillars and shining chandeliers, Is indeed
fit and welcome chamber for lovers of
the dance. In its history, which dates
baak to 1850, when it was dedicated to
Letuwski, tho chief of the mines at that
time. it hos witnessed many remarkable
gatherings These havo taken place on
royal visits or for the entertainment of
distinguished guests. One end Of tho
room is odorIad with a colossal Austrian
eagle and with transparcncies painted on
slab; of sat. In an alcove at the other
ei.l of tbs 70 IN stands throne of green,
tho crystals Of which flash a green and
ruby I'd 1t is OIL this that the emperor
bllS ".ltii IIc SC'iltS w
From, the scene Of gaycty and splendor
it is but Il step to tho homo of quietudo
and prayer, Here, off ono Of tho main
passages, is the noted St. Anthony's chap
el, the resort Of thousands Of tho dovout
since it was hewn in 1893, The vestibulo
to this chapel contains Il symmetrical
archway, with figures at the sides The
interior is beautiied by IN altar showing
the cruciflyion, and on the steps Of the
altar arc the forms of two kneeling monks
On the sides Of the chapel may be seen
smaller altars and statues of saints. Many
times each year tho priests of the district
perform their pious duties in this simple
chapel.
1t is not at all strange that the religious
feeling Of olden times should bo reflected
in the chambers and passages through
which we are now in imagination passing.
Hard by ST. Anthony's chapel the torch
of the guide illuminates magnificent
shrine and archway hewn In one of tho
passages Again, as we move along, We
sec figures of saints in attitude Of prayer |
md few minor rooms which we pass |
hurriedly through bear the names of mar
yrs. Tho queens chapel, with its mag
1ticent altar carved with expert skill in |
,olid salt, contains on ono of its sides
view of Bethlehem. AS we turn from it |
he beautiful chandelier in the chapel |
,atcheS our eye and makes us marvel that |
such delicate conception with so many |
,endant chains of white should have so
ong resisted the wear and tear of time.
When illuminated, as it often is the chau-
lclicr, with its myriad lights, is indeed
'eautful to see
The descent from the first to the second
tory Is made on a long series of steps Of
old salt At tho foot of this remarkable
taircasc the sightseer is fascinated bya
cautful sight. The giant chamber
Michalowico" lies before him-vast, fear
ome aud upendous-fiaished in 1851,
ftcr 40 years of daily labor. 1t measures
0 feet long, % feet broad and lis feet
Ugh, tho roof being supported by II wood
lterior salt chandelier of 800 lights
leans brilliantly on the rugged sides Of
lis imposing room. When musicians
lay here, the volume of sound rolls and
with dcnfcning effect against
70 solid confines Of the chamber, and,
lshing upward bursts with mighty pow
against the faroff dome.
Tho third floor of this marvellous mine
'ntains the railway station and rostau-
MT attracting the visitor by its long vista
latticed galleries and ponderous pillars
I'd its promise Of refreshmcnt after long
I'd weary tramp on unyiclding floors;
r here ut this railway station, where the
miles Of railways from all parts of the
inc join, tempting buffet exists tho
mmer through, and Is well patronized
tho thousands who como from Austria,
ussa and Germany to view tho wondrous
Drks of salt.
Tho mine is indeed full Of many mar
Is, hut tho most marvellous of all-at
,st tho one which makes the most in-
ession on the visitor--ls the subter-
mean lake, lying 700 feet below the sur
80 of the earth. The waters on the lake
, dark, thick and heavy, and as the boat
des over its face the spreading waters
I up against the sides of the grotto with
5hostlike swish. A ponderous solitude )
arweighs all. Tho Styx 0lonc CT all
, dcathliEo streams in legend could /
al this in stiffness The boat Is guided
pugh the Stcphania and Rudolf grottoes
ropes running on pulleys along the
cs of the boat There are lG CT these I
,es in different parts Of the mine, but !
s is tho only one upon which visitors u u
allowed to go Tho trip across and !,
ok takes 15 or 2? minutes, ms the boat n
ives slowly through the sluggish brine. d
gun shot off in the middle of the lake I
kes long and lingering echo and the /,
&C of tho bontman, rs hc calls out that p
is ready. seems like the voice Of giant ?
m the depths of chaos y
The lower stories of the mine are occu. r
d by over thousand miners, who, #
riing eight hours . day cach manage a
tho course Of year to produce 60, O90
Is of salt They toll patiently, cutting
ir way through the solid salt, leaving
utful passages heavily covered with d "a
st sparkling white Strand Magazine. ~ ~
|
No Exceptions. =,
Io-What perfect foo! I've been! =.
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