Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-20
A CITY HEWN IN SALT.
WONDROUS SIGHTS IN THE FAMOUS
WlELiCzkA MINES.

" M~W uAhccut nulArOOm, Sn0pclH ana
shrine and a Giant Chamber With
"a Natural Chandeliers - Lakes OF
Deathlikc silence.
1t would take at least three weeks to
visit every portion Of the marvellous salt
city of Wicliczka, the center of the salt in
dustry of Polish Austria. Men have
worked in its hollows for centuries, leav-
ing it as a legacy to posterity. Horses
have been brought to life and died there
without seeing the light Of day. 1t is 81
lent and dark, except when the voices of
people echo through its countless tortuous
halls and the candle Of the guide or flash
of tho roman light discovers its massive
and glittering wonders. 1t is city hewn
in salt.
The mines are under the direct control
of the Austro Hungarian minister OF
finance. Here the wonders spoken about
may be seen as they have been seen by
people for nearly 1000 years. During
that time the skilled hand of the laborer
in the Wieliczka salt mines has been at
work turning the depths of darkness into
a realm Of beauty. 1t has created ball
rooms, chapels, affairs, statues, restau-
rants, railways, chandeliers, staircases,
pillars and thrones in the bowels of tho
earth, and the grandeur Of these has ex-
cited the admiration of the world. The
mines date back to 1914 and now have u
length of over "a miles.
Almost blinded by darkness and fright
ened by the eeric echo of his own foot
steps, the visitor first enters some colossal
chamber followed out by the laborer in
the ordinary course of mining after plan
laid down by some master mind. he al
most loses himself in the expanse of the
Letow ballroom, which, with its mural
decoration, Illuminated galleries, staiwar:
pillars and shining chandeliers, is indeed
u fit and welcome chamber for lovers of
the dance In its history, which dates
back to 1850, when it was dedicated to
Letowski, the chief of the mines at that
time, it has witnessed many remarkable
gatherings These have taken place on
royal visits or for the entertainment Of
distinguished guests. One end of the
room is adorned with a colossal Austrian
eagle and with transparencies painted on
slabs of salt. In an alcove at the other
end of the room stands throne OF green,
the crystals of which flash green and
ruby rcd. 1t is on this that the emperor
sits when he comes to the mines.
From the scene of gayety and splendor
it is but step to the home of quietude
and prayer Here, off one of the main
passages, is the noted St. Anthony's chap
ell tho resort of thousands of the devout
since it was hcwn in 1898. The ;vestibule
to this chapel contains symmetrical
IL No -, he
interior is beautitied by an altar showing
the crtlcif3xion, and on the steps of the
altar arofhc forms of two kneeling monks.
On the sides of the chapel may be seen
smaller affairs and statues of saints. Many
tiliies each year the 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 be 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 Eliminates a magnificent
shrine and archway hewn in one of the
passages. Again. as we move along, we
see figures of saints in attitude of prayer
and few minor rooms which we pass
hurriedly through bear the names of mar
tyrs The queens chapel, with its mag
nificent altar, carved with expert skill i'll
solid salt, contains on one of it's sides
view of Bethlehem. As we turn from it
the beautiful chandelier in the chapel
catches our eye and makes us marvel that
such delicate conception with so many
pendant chains of white should have so
long resisted the wear and tear of time.
When illuminated, as it often is, the chan
delicr, with its myriad lights, is indeed
beautiful to see.
The descent from the first to the second
story is made On long series of steps of
solid salt. At the foot of this remarkable
staircase the sightseer is fascinated by u
beautiful sight. The giant chamber
'Michalowicc" lies before hm-vast, fear
some and stupendous-fnishcd in 1861,
after 40 years of daily labor 1t measures
80 feet long, 81 feet broad and us feet
high, the roof being supported by wood
en- framework to avoid disaster In the
interior salt chandelier of 300 lights
CLEANS brilliantly Oh the rugged sides OF
this imposing room, When musicians
play here the volume of sound rolls and
Invertebrates with tleafening effect against
the solid confines of the chamber. and,
rushing upward, bursts with mighty pow
or against the faroff dome
The third floor of this marvellous lnlne
contains the railway station and rostau-
rant, attracting the vistorb by its long vista
of latticed galleries and pondcrons pillars
and its promise of refreshment after long
and weary tramp on unyicldlnS floors;
for here at this railway station, where the
% miles OF railways from all parts OF tho
mine join, q tempting buffet exists the
summer through, and is well patroni2ed
by the thousands who come from Austria,
Russia and Germany to view the wondDus
works of salt. *.
The mine is indeed full of many mar
wells. but the most marvellous of ail-at
least the one which makes the most M
preston on the VISITORS the subter-
ranean lake, lying 700 feet below the sur
face of the earth. The waters OH the lake
arc dark, thick and heavy, and as the BOAT
glides over its face the spreading waters
roll ND against the sides Of the grotto with
a rhostliIe swish A ponderous solitude
oyerweighs all The Styx alone CT all
the deathlike streams in legend could
rival this in stiffness. The boat is guided
through the Stephanic and Rudolf grottoes
by ropes running on pullcys along the
sides of the boat There are 10 OF these
lakes in different parts OF the mine, but
This is the only one upon which visitors