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Helen Betts | all galleries >> Kraków: The Jewel of Central Europe >> A Winter Revisit to Kraków >> Kraków's Amazing Wieliczka Salt Mine > Chapel of St. Kinga
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04-FEB-2013

Chapel of St. Kinga

The 22,000-square-meter Chapel of St. Kinga was created by miners with everything, including the chandeliers, made from rock salt.

According to one source (Northern Illinois University): "St. Kinga's Chapel is the largest among underground chapels in the Wieliczka Salt mine. It is also the most impressive and opulent underground temple. It was laid out in 1896, in the space created after the excavation of a huge green salt block. It is over 54 metres long, 15-18 meters wide and 10-12 meters high. St. Kinga's Chapel is actually a sizable subterranean church carved in rock salt and embellished with salty sculptures and bas-reliefs (even the chandeliers are made of salt crystals...). ... St. Kinga's Chapel, at the depth of 101 meters, is a masterpiece created by the miner sculptors: the brothers Józef and Tomasz Markowski, and Antoni Wyrodek. The high altar with the statue of St. Kinga is the work of Józef Markowski and his assistants. ... St. Kinga's Chapel, which is a unique gallery of rock-salt art and a concert hall, apart from providing visitors with [an] aesthetic experience, is a living centre of religious observances. Solemn Mass is said here on special occasions, and on 24th July (feast of St. Kinga) 4th December (feast of St. Barbara) and 24th December (Midnight Mass), as well as on each Sunday morning."

Nikon D800 ,Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
1/50s f/2.8 at 35.0mm iso640 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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marie roche 13-Apr-2014 13:51
hi can someone tell me is there a lift down to st kinga chapal or is it all steps down an also is it cold down in it just goin to a wedding in this chapal an know nothing about it thanks marie
Zoltįn Balogh23-Feb-2013 21:39
Wow, breathtaking! V
Alain Boussac17-Feb-2013 17:38
So unique and spectacular. Superbly taken too, and thanks for the explanations, Helen. V.
Range View 15-Feb-2013 04:21
Wow, this is very unique Helen, it must have been fascinating to visit there. V
Barbara
Chris Morton10-Feb-2013 20:32
an amazing phenomenon resulting in a ghostly atmosphere
Gary A. Rich (GRainelev)06-Feb-2013 22:44
Fantastic shot, Helen. Are all the levels used for the church? I think that you did a great job getting this image. V.
larose forest photos06-Feb-2013 21:49
utterly amazing!! a stunning image of a fascinating place. V
Martin Lamoon06-Feb-2013 19:16
Wonderful exposure Helen, stunning picture with the D800. v
Bill Miller06-Feb-2013 18:42
Fascinating, great picture and story.
Kevin Warren06-Feb-2013 16:58
Very impressive and very cool! You did a fine job with this, Helen.
Tom LeRoy06-Feb-2013 15:58
Incredible how the miners could accomplish this. A fine shot, Helen. V
Guest 06-Feb-2013 15:33
What an unusual shot. Excellent eye Helen. V
fotabug06-Feb-2013 15:06
What a remarkably fine photo! Very nice!
janescottcumming06-Feb-2013 14:39
Fascinating information about this fascinating image. V
Graeme06-Feb-2013 13:32
Thanks for the info about this beautiful chapel, Helen. Its truly an amazing place! BV
pkocinski06-Feb-2013 13:22
Fascinating place - great capture!
Isabel Cutler06-Feb-2013 11:26
Fascinating!
rousselziak06-Feb-2013 11:11
Excellent ! -V-
Milan Vogrin06-Feb-2013 08:16
Great pov! Well done!V!
Anitta06-Feb-2013 06:53
What an extraordinary place! Wow! So interesting. Thanks for the info and sharing, Helen. V
joseantonio06-Feb-2013 05:10
Wow, what a place! And quite an adventure going doing 810 steps.V. Thank you for the details about the mine.V
Ali Majdfar06-Feb-2013 04:55
What a great place! ~V
globalgadabout06-Feb-2013 02:57
extraordinary place...and a formidable photo challenge...you have captured both the space and the sense of eeriness so well...V
Stephanie06-Feb-2013 02:26
Fantastic!!! I'm so glad you went there! This is a superb image Helen!!! Looking forward to seeing more! :) v
Jim Coffman06-Feb-2013 00:55
Wow, this is awesome! I would love to see this place!
William Barletta06-Feb-2013 00:54
Gorgeous. ~V~
Troy Bertrand06-Feb-2013 00:54
very nice!