Chapel of Saint Anthony in Salt Mine in Wieliczka

2 nd November 2014

The next chamber is Chapel of Saint Anthony was very important for the workers. Work in the mine was always related to the great dangers awaiting mines. This is why miners built chapels underground where they entrusted their lives Providence and into hands of saints.

The Baroque Chapel of Saint Anthony was created in the years 1690-1710. It is the oldest of the preserved underground temples. The first holy mass was said here 1698. The chapel divided into three parts; the chancel, the nave and the vestibule. St. Anthony was chosen to be a patron of the chapel';protector of those who seek and a guardian of ore miners.

 The main altar contains the figures of the Crucified Christ, Our Lady with the Infant Jesus and St. Anthony. The figures of St. Stanislaus of Szczepanow and St. Clement stand in side niches between the columns.

Lately it was necessary to conduct renovation works due to continuous leaching 

( dissolving)  process of saline structures and humidity.Despite conservation efforts architectonic details of sculptures continue to lose their initial shape.