Museum – Dentists in Poland

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland: A Unique World Heritage Site

Located in the town of Wieliczka, just outside of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a fascinating underground labyrinth that has been in continuous operation since the 13th century. This remarkable site has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and it is easy to see why. With its intricate network of tunnels, underground lakes, and chambers, the Wieliczka Salt Mine offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.

If you are travelling to Krakow for dental treatment and have some time for tourism, then a visit to Wieliczka Salt Mine is highly recommended. It is one of Poland’s most popular underground attractions.

The History of the Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine has a long and storied history, stretching back over 700 years. In the Middle Ages, salt was an incredibly valuable commodity, and the Wieliczka mine was one of the most important sources of this vital mineral in Europe. Over the centuries, the mine has been expanded and modernized, and it continued to produce salt until as recently as 2007.

Today, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is no longer a working mine, but it is open to the public as a tourist attraction. Visitors can take a guided tour through the mine’s various levels, learning about the history of salt mining in the region and seeing some of the remarkable sights that lie beneath the earth’s surface.

What to Expect on a Visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine

A visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique and unforgettable experience. The tour takes visitors on a journey through the mine’s labyrinthine tunnels, which stretch for over 300 kilometres. Along the way, visitors will see a wide range of remarkable sights, including underground lakes, chapels, and even a ballroom.

One of the highlights of the tour is the Chapel of St. Kinga, an underground chamber that has been carved entirely out of salt. This breath-taking space is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and it is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the miners who worked in the mine over the centuries.

Another must-see sight in the Wieliczka Salt Mine is the Salt Lake, a vast underground lake that is surrounded by walls of salt. Visitors can take a boat ride on the lake, which is a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

In addition to these remarkable sights, visitors to the Wieliczka Salt Mine can also learn about the history of salt mining in the region and see a wide range of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of this fascinating industry.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Sculptures

The oldest sculptures were carved out of rock salt by miners; more recent figures have been fashioned by contemporary artists. Even the crystals of the chandeliers are made from rock salt that has been dissolved and reconstituted to achieve a clear, glass-like appearance. The rock salt is naturally grey in various shades, so that the carvings resemble unpolished granite rather than the white or crystalline look that many visitors expect. The carvings may appear white in the photos, but the actual carved figures are not white.

At the end of the tour, there is a large cathedral and reception room that can be reserved for private functions such as weddings or private parties. Also featured is a large chamber with walls carved to resemble wooden chapels built by miners in earlier centuries; an underground lake; and exhibits on the history of salt mining. The Wieliczka mine is often referred to as “the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland.” It also houses a private rehabilitation and wellness complex.

To get down to the 64-metre level of the mine, visitors must descend a wooden stairway of 378 steps. After the 3km tour of the mine’s corridors, chapels, statues and lake, 135 metres underground, visitors take an elevator back up to the surface. The elevator holds 36 persons (nine per car) and takes some 30 seconds to reach the surface.

The temperature inside the mine is a constant 14°C and the humidity is around 75%, making it a perfect environment to preserve the salt. It has a number of different salt deposits, including grey, white, and red. The majority of the salt is mined from the grey deposits, which are mainly found on the lower levels.

A visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a truly magical experience. As you explore its underground chambers, you will be surrounded by its history and beauty, and you will be inspired by the amazing craftsmanship and engineering that went into its construction. If you ever find yourself in Poland, the Wieliczka Salt Mine should certainly be at the top of your list.

Getting there

Getting to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow shouldn’t prove too difficult or expensive. Regular buses run from the top of Starowislna Street opposite the Main Post Office, taking around forty minutes to get there. Be warned that buses are a little cramped and we advise you check departure details at one of Krakow’s tourist information offices as these routes chop and change quite a bit. You’re best asking a friendly Pole where to get off too, as this is a public bus not a tourist service.

Dental tourism in Krakow

Krakow is the most popular tourist destination in Poland, and this supports a lot of the local economy. Kraków Airport (also known as John Paul II International Airport) is the main airport, located in Balice, about 12 km to the west of the centre. It is the second biggest airport in Poland. Krakow has many excellent dental clinics and dentists and is a very popular dental tourism destination – more information

Conclusion

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique and unforgettable destination that offers visitors a chance to explore the remarkable underground world of salt mining. With its intricate network of tunnels, underground lakes, and chapels, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the miners who worked there over the centuries. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or just want to experience something truly unforgettable, a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is an absolute must.

For detailed tourist information about Poland, visit our travel partner, the Poland Travel Agency.

Tours of Wieliczka Salt Mine

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Dentists in Poland

20 February 2023

Kashubia

The Kashubians – Welcome to Kashubia

Kashubia is a region located in northern Poland, known for its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and unique language. This area, which stretches from the Baltic Sea coast to the Masurian Lakes, has a long and fascinating history that has shaped its culture, traditions, and identity. Among larger cities, Gdynia contains the largest proportion of people declaring Kashubian origin. However, the biggest city of the Kashubia region is Gdańsk, the capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the traditional capital of Kashubia.

The total number of Kashubians varies depending on one’s definition. A common estimate is that over 300,000 people in Poland are of the Kashubian ethnicity. The most extreme estimates are as low as 50,000 or as high as 500,000.

Language

One of the most distinctive features of Kashubia is its language, which is a Slavic dialect with its own vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. While Polish is the official language of the region, Kashubian is still spoken by many residents and is recognised as a regional language by the Polish government. This language is just one of the many ways in which Kashubia stands out as a unique and vibrant place.

In 2005, Kashubian was for the first time made an official subject on the Polish matura exam (roughly equivalent to the English A-Level and French Baccalaureat). Despite an initial uptake of only 23 students, this development was seen as an important step in the official recognition and establishment of the language.

Today, in some towns and villages in northern Poland, Kashubian is the second language spoken after Polish, and it is taught in regional schools.

Since 2005 Kashubian enjoys legal protection in Poland as an official regional language. It is the only tongue in Poland with this status. It was granted by an act of the Polish Parliament on January 6, 2005.

Lakes, forests, and beaches

The region’s natural beauty is another major draw for visitors. Kashubia is home to several stunning lakes, forests, and beaches, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The Wdzydze Landscape Park, for example, offers visitors a chance to explore the region’s diverse wildlife and plant life, as well as take part in activities like hiking, kayaking, and fishing. The Kashubian Switzerland is another popular spot for outdoor recreation, with its rolling hills, lush forests, and picturesque valleys.

Cultural heritage

Aside from its natural beauty, Kashubia is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The region has a long and storied history, with roots dating back to the medieval period. Over the years, Kashubia has been influenced by a variety of cultures and traditions, including Polish, German, and Scandinavian. This has resulted in a unique blend of customs, music, and cuisine that is unlike anything else in Poland.

Folk art

The Kashubian culture is particularly notable for its distinctive folk art, which includes intricate embroidery, woodcarving, and pottery. Visitors to the region can explore several museums and galleries that showcase these traditions, such as the Kashubian Ethnographic Park in Wdzydze Kiszewskie and the Museum of Kashubian Pottery in Chmielno. These venues offer visitors a chance to learn about the history of the region and see some of its most beautiful works of art up close.

Tourist Attractions

Kashubian Ethnographic Park: At Wdzydze Kiszewskie is an outdoor museum of traditional Kaszubian buildings, founded in 1906. The buildings were collected from the region, lovingly restored and furnished and set up as a folk village. Perhaps some of them were abandoned by the Kaszubs as they left to look for a new life overseas. In the area of 22 hectares there are approximately 40 buildings: 7 farmyards, 2 manor houses, 5 cottages, 4 nobleman houses, a village school with a classroom, a church, a sawmill, a windmill and a smithy.

Centre for Education and Regional Promotion in Szymbark: Danmar is a timber house builder and is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Kashubian culture. They have on exhibit new and old solid timber houses, even a church, a replica underground bunker as used by the partisans during WWII (Gryf Pomorski), an ‘upside down’ house and a restored steam train as used to transport people to the camps in Siberia. They have the longest plank of sawn wood in the world. It was cut from a Douglas fir measuring 36.83m and can be found in the Guinness Book of Records. Many Polish celebrities were involved in the sawing including Lech Walesa. It is well worth a visit.

Parowozownia (steam locomotive museum) at Koscierzyna: The open air railway museum at Koscierzyna displays a huge collection of steam locomotives and railway stock, dating back to 1929, and documents the development of the railways in the region. You are free to climb onto these huge engines and even ride on a working steam train!

Sand dunes at Leba: Nearby is the Smoldzino and Slowinski National Park, covering more than 18,000 hectares of dune, forest, water and peat environment, and sand-bars separating lakes Lebsko and Gardno from the sea. Here shifting dunes, which can reach a height up to 120m (400 feet), leave wilderness behind them; and one can feel as though in a real desert, Poland’s Sahara, with sand all the way to the horizon.

Hel Peninsula: The sandy Hel Peninsula, 35 km long, is a unique natural and landscape attraction and some call it the longest pier in Europe. The whole of the Hel Peninsula is incorporated into the Seaside Landscape Park (Nadmorski Park Krajobrazowy). On the Hel Peninsula there are the seaside resorts of Kuznica, Jurata and Jastarnia. At it’s furthest point is Hel, a well known fishing port, and the seat of a fishing museum, as well as a reminder of the last Polish bastion in the September 1939 fight with the Nazi invaders.

Malbork Castle: Malbork is the mightiest ot the Teutonic Knights’ fortresses and the capital of their independent state until returned to Poland at the end of the 15th century. It consists of the Upper Castle, the Middle Castle and the Palace of the Grand Master surrounded by common walls and a moat. The main gate has been reconstructed with its portcullis. Inside there is a museum with many artefacts and a great collection of amber jewellery and figures. You may visit either with a group or by yourself. If you want to take pictures, you need to buy a special ticket.

Bytów Castle: The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights at the end of the 14th century. It is now fully restored, part is a hotel, part is the Museum of Kashubia. Here you may see many examples of fine local art and embroidery.

Chmielno: The Museum of Kashubian Pottery of the Necel family in Chmielno is a showcase of the art of pottery making. Under a master’s expert eye, you can even make your own clay pot!

Kashubian Regional Museum in Kartuzy: will introduce you to some of the intricacies of Kashubian domestic, cultural and religious traditions. Kashubians are a very ancient ethnic group of Slavonic Balts. They resisted polonisation for centuries but regard themselves as Poles. After the partitions of Poland, despite systematic germanisation, the Kashubians maintained close ties with Poland. They did not lose their identity, historical heritage or original culture.

The Kaszubski Landscape Park: attracts nature lovers with its nine nature reserves featuring beautiful Pomeranian beech forests and rare specimens of flora and fauna. The Radunia River Gorge, with the river flowing like a mountain stream through a deep ravine, is one of the park’s most attractive views. The striking beauty of the area is the result of the activity of continental glaciers, which carved out deep valleys and created the rivers and lakes.

Ostrich Farm at Garczyno: It was the first Ostrich farm in Poland, founded in 1993. The ostrich count is about 100. You get the chance to taste the scrambled egg made from the ostrich egg, and you can have a ride on the back of camel. There is also another ostrich farm in the village of Wandowo.

Stone Rings Reserve in Wesior: It’s at the cemetery Gotów. There are about 160 graves and four stone circles dating from the beginning of AD. Supposedly, this place influences people and gives them unforgettable impressions.

Kwidzyn: It is worth visiting the 14th century castle and cathedral complex located there, as well as the Recreational Grounds of Milosna (a beautiful complex of buildings dating back from the early 20th century). Here you can also see a mini-Zoo for children. Moreover, while in Kwidzyn, you can enjoy the numerous town attractions, such as: restaurants, sala s, discos, etc.

Anthem Museum: About eight kilometres east of Kościerzyna is the small village of Będomin. There is the 18th century court which is surrounded with a park of three hundred years old linden and oaks. This court has belonged to Józef Wybicki’s family for many years. The museum has been open since 1798, and it’s the only Anthem Museum in the world.

Sianowo: features a wooden church built in 1816.

Wiezyca: a viewing tower offering fantastic views and three ski slopes.

Szymbark: where you can enjoy horse and cart rides and where sleigh rides are organised (snow permitting!)

Golubie: very famous for its beautiful botanical gardens.

In conclusion, Kashubia is a region that is steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are interested in outdoor recreation, folk art, or unique linguistic traditions, you will find plenty to see and do here. With its friendly people, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Kashubia is a must-see destination for anyone traveling to Poland.

For detailed tourist information about Poland, please visit our travel partner, the Poland Travel Agency.

Gdansk Gdynia Hel Kashubia Kashubians Malbork Castle

Dentists in Poland

19 February 2023

Auschwitz

Dental treatment in Krakow

If you are considering dental treatment in Krakow, you may wish to visit Auschwitz between treatments. It is widely agreed that everyone should visit Auschwitz at least once in their lives, it is a stern reminder of the horrors that human beings can inflict on each other and for some people, a life-changing experience.

We have provided information about Auschwitz below, however if you would like to read a more detailed account of the history of Auschwitz Birkenau, please read the article on your partner website – Auschwitz Birkenau.

What was Auschwitz?

Auschwitz was a network of concentration and extermination camps built and operated in occupied Poland by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. It was the largest of the German concentration camps, consisting of Auschwitz I (the Stammlager or main camp); Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the Vernichtungslager or extermination camp); Auschwitz III-Monowitz, also known as Buna-Monowitz (a labour camp); and 45 satellite camps.

Oświęcim

Auschwitz is the German name for Oświęcim, the town the camps were located in and around; it was renamed by the Germans after they invaded Poland in September 1939. Birkenau, the German translation of Brzezinka (birch tree), refers to a small Polish village nearby that was mostly destroyed by the Germans to make way for the camp.

The Final Solution

Auschwitz II-Birkenau was designated by Heinrich Himmler, who was the Reichsführer and Germany’s Minister of the Interior, as the focus of the “final solution of the Jewish question in Europe”.

Rudolf Höss

From spring 1942 until the fall of 1944, transport trains delivered Jews to the camp’s gas chambers from all over Nazi-occupied Europe. The camp’s first commandant, Rudolf Höss, testified after the war at the Nuremberg Trials that up to three million people had died there (2.5 million exterminated, and 500,000 from disease and starvation), a figure since revised to 1.1 million, around 90 percent of them Jews.

Others deported to Auschwitz included 150,000 Poles, 23,000 Roma and Sinti, 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war, and tens of thousands of people of diverse nationalities. Those not killed in the gas chambers died of starvation, forced labour, lack of disease control, individual executions, and medical experiments.

Liberation of Auschwitz

On January 27, 1945, Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet troops, a day commemorated around the world as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In 1947, Poland founded a museum on the site of Auschwitz I and II, which by 1994 had seen 22 million visitors (700,000 annually) pass through the iron gates crowned with the infamous motto, Arbeit macht frei (“work makes you free”).

Selections

By July 1942, the SS were conducting the infamous “selections,” in which incoming Jews were divided into those deemed able to work, who were sent to the right and admitted into the camp, and those who were sent to the left and immediately gassed.

Daily convoys

Prisoners were transported from all over German-occupied Europe by rail, arriving in daily convoys. The group selected to die, about three-quarters of the total, included almost all children, women with children, all the elderly, and all those who appeared on brief and superficial inspection by an SS doctor not to be completely fit. Auschwitz II-Birkenau claimed more victims than any other German extermination camp, despite coming into use after all the others.

SS officers told the victims they were to take a shower and undergo delousing. The victims would undress in an outer chamber and walk into the gas chamber, which was disguised as a shower facility, complete with dummy shower heads. After the doors were shut, SS men would dump in the cyanide pellets via holes in the roof or windows on the side. In Auschwitz II-Birkenau, more than 20,000 people could be gassed and cremated each day.

Canada

Sonderkommandos removed gold teeth from the corpses of gas chamber victims; the gold was melted down and collected by the SS. The belongings of the arrivals were seized by the SS and sorted in an area of the camp called “Canada,” so-called because Canada was seen as a land of plenty. Many of the SS at the camp enriched themselves by pilfering the confiscated property.

The last selection took place on October 30, 1944. The next month, Heinrich Himmler ordered the crematoria destroyed before the Red Army reached the camp. The gas chambers of Birkenau were blown up by the SS in January 1945 in an attempt to hide the German crimes from the advancing Soviet troops. The SS command sent orders on January 17, 1945, calling for the execution of all prisoners remaining in the camp, but in the chaos of the Nazi retreat the order was never carried out. On January 17, 1945, Nazi personnel started to evacuate the facility.

Nearly 60,000 prisoners were forced on a death march toward a camp in Wodzisław Śląski (German: Loslau). Those too weak or sick to walk were left behind. These remaining 7,500 prisoners were liberated by the 322nd Rifle Division of the Red Army on January 27, 1945.

Bergen-Belsen

Approximately 20,000 Auschwitz prisoners made it to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, where they were liberated by the British in April 1945. Among the artefacts of automated murder found by the Russians were 348,820 men’s suits and 836,255 women’s garments.

Auschwitz Today

Today, at Birkenau the entrance building and some of the southern brick-built barracks survive; but of the almost 300 wooden barracks, only 19 remain: 18 near the entrance building and one, on its own, farther away. All that survives of the others are chimneys, remnants of a largely ineffective means of heating. Many of these wooden buildings were constructed from prefabricated sections made by a company that intended them to be used as stables; inside, numerous metal rings for the tethering of horses can still be seen.

The Polish government decided to restore Auschwitz I and turn it into a museum honouring the victims of Nazism; Auschwitz II, where buildings (many of which were prefabricated wood structures) were prone to decay, was preserved but not restored. Today, the Auschwitz I museum site combines elements from several periods into a single complex: for example, the gas chamber at Auschwitz I (which had been converted into an air-raid shelter for the SS) was restored and the fence was moved (because of building work being done after the war but before the museum was established). However, in most cases the departure from the historical truth is minor and is clearly labelled.

The museum contains many men’s, women’s and children’s shoes taken from their victims; also, suitcases, which the deportees were encouraged to bring with them, and many household utensils. One display case, some 30 metres (98 ft) long, is wholly filled with human hair which the Nazis gathered from people before they were sent to labour or before and after they were killed.

Auschwitz II and the remains of the gas chambers there are open to the public. The camp is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ashes of the victims were scattered between the huts, and the entire area is regarded as a grave site. Most of the buildings of Auschwitz I are still standing. The public entrance area is outside the perimeter fence in what was the camp admission building, where new prisoners were registered and given their uniforms. At the far end of Birkenau are memorial plaques in many languages, including Romani.

The Dentist of Auschwitz

Benjamin Jacobs was a dentist who in 1941, was deported from his Polish village and remained a Nazi prisoner until the final days of the Second World War. He survived Auschwitz and the death march to the Baltic, with the help of his dental tools.

On the advice of his mother, he carried his dental tools and despite being limited as to which procedures he could perform, he became known as “the dentist” and was sought after for his treatments. He performed simple dental procedures including draining a fistula and cleaning gums with iodine. His bright red box, containing his dental tools, became “his passport to survival”.

Once at Auschwitz with his father and brother, he was appointed to the dental station to treat SS men and was also given the job of extracting gold from prison corpses. It was hard to do, and he recounted “I heard the voices of broken hearts and crushed souls”. He also witnessed the selection processes and labouring in the mines. Despite saving extra rations for his family, his father died. At Auschwitz, he also crossed paths with Adolf Eichmann.

Jacobs wrote his memoirs which were published by the University Press of Kentucky in 1995. The Dentist of Auschwitz: A Memoir recounts his experiences and revulsion at having to strip gold from prisoners at Auschwitz in exchange for extra provisions for his family.

For further information about World War II sites in Poland, please visit our travel partner, the Poland Travel Agency.

Auschwitz tours & experiences

Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration camp Extermination camp Monowitz Museum Oświęcim World War 11

Dentists in Poland

18 February 2023

Malbork Castle

Past home of The Teutonic Order

Malbork Castle, located in northern Poland, is one of the largest castles in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its impressive size, impressive history, and unique architecture make it a must-see destination for anyone visiting the region.

History

Malbork Castle, also known as the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, was built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order, a Germanic military order. The castle was initially constructed as a wooden fortress, but over the centuries, it was rebuilt and expanded using brick, which was more durable and provided better protection against invaders.

Over the years, the castle has been used for various purposes. It served as the Teutonic Order’s headquarters and was also the residence of the Grand Master of the Order. Later, during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the castle was used as a royal palace and became an important administrative center.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent extensive restoration work, and in the 20th century, it was damaged during World War II. After the war, the castle was reconstructed, and today it serves as a museum.

Architecture

Malbork Castle is known for its unique architecture, which blends Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles. The castle’s impressive size and intricate details make it one of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture in Europe.

The castle’s main building is the High Castle, which features numerous halls and chambers, including the Grand Refectory, the Grand Master’s private chapel, and the High Chapter Hall. The High Castle also has a large courtyard that was once used for military drills and other ceremonies.

The Middle Castle, which was added in the 14th century, features the Knight’s Hall, which is decorated with a series of murals depicting the life and battles of the Teutonic Order. The Middle Castle also has a variety of rooms, including the library, the council chamber, and the treasury.

The Lower Castle, which was added in the 15th century, was used for administrative purposes and features a variety of rooms, including the kitchens, the granary, and the brewery.

Visiting Malbork Castle

Visitors to Malbork Castle can take a self-guided tour of the castle’s numerous halls, chambers, and courtyards. The castle’s exhibits include a collection of medieval weapons and armor, as well as various works of art and historical artifacts.

Visitors can also attend live shows, including medieval-style sword fights and demonstrations of medieval crafts and skills. The castle’s location, on the banks of the Nogat River, provides a scenic backdrop for a stroll through the castle’s gardens and courtyards.

World War II

The castle was in the process of being restored when World War II broke out. During the war, the castle was over 50% destroyed. Restoration has been ongoing since the war. However, the main cathedral in the castle, fully restored just prior to the war and destroyed during the war, remains in its ruined state. The castle and its museum are listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Third Reich

With the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in the early 1930s the Nazis began using the site for annual pilgrimages by both the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls. It was the Teutonic Castle at Marienburg, Malbork that served as the blueprint for the Order Castles of the Third Reich.

Defensive Walls

The castle is encircled by defensive walls with gates and towers. The Grand Master’s palace is believed to be the top achievement of the late-Gothic style. The representative summer refectory is the most attractive chamber in the castle interiors.

In conclusion, Malbork Castle is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Poland. Its unique architecture, impressive history, and stunning location make it one of the most beautiful and fascinating castles in Europe. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or simply enjoy exploring beautiful places, a visit to Malbork Castle is sure to be an unforgettable experience.