Żupny Castle

Żupny Castle in Wieliczka was the seat of the administration of the Wieliczka and Bochnia mines, that is, of the Kraków Salt Works enterprise. Today it houses a museum devoted to salt mining, with one of the largest collections of salt cellars in the world.

Where the castle came from

The origins of the castle go back to the 13th century, when construction was initiated by Duke Henry IV Probus. The heritage register dates the building to the mid-13th century and describes it as brick and Gothic. It was extended and fortified by Casimir the Great, who granted Wieliczka its town charter. The complex consists of three parts of the castle, a communal kitchen from the 15th century, and towers and defensive walls.

The museum today

After the damage of 1945, reconstruction was completed in 1992. The castle houses the Kraków Salt Works Museum with an archaeological and historical exhibition and a collection of over a thousand salt cellars. A few hundred metres away lies the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Practical information

• The castle stands in Wieliczka, not in Bochnia; address according to the map: Regis 3.
• Check the visiting hours on the muzeum.wieliczka.pl website before your visit.