Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka

Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka is a fortress complex with three connected sections arranged around a central courtyard with medieval stone walls. The buildings display Gothic architecture in white stone and now house a museum with exhibitions about the salt industry's history.

Construction began in the 13th century and the building became the administrative center for the Wieliczka and Bochnia salt mines, a role lasting 700 years. After 1945 this function ended and the castle was later converted into a museum.

The name reflects its role as the administrative hub of the saltworks industry, a connection still visible in rooms displaying mining tools and salt-related objects. Visitors can see how deeply this building shaped daily life and work in the town for generations.

Access is straightforward with parking available near the entrance for visitors. Guided tours in multiple languages are available and the museum is open on most days with occasional closures.

A preserved tower on the grounds once served as a prison and remains one of the last structures of its kind in the town. An ancient shaft was discovered about 50 years ago, revealing the extensive underground connections between the castle and the salt mines.