The Wieliczka Salt Mine ( Polish : Kopalnia soli Wieliczka), located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. Opened in the 13th century, the mine produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world 's oldest salt mines in operation. Throughout, the royal mine was run by the Żupy krakowskie Salt Mines company.
Commercialmining was discontinued in 1996, because of salt prices going down and also mine flooding. The mine is currently one of Poland 's official national Historic Monuments (Pomniki historii), whose attractions include dozens of statues and four chapels carved out of the rock salt by the miners, as well as supplemental carvings made by contemporary artists.
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