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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, nativity in rock salt
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04-FEB-2013

Chapel of St. Kinga, nativity in rock salt

I love the stars in the sky.

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
1/125s f/3.5 at 38.0mm iso6400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Aivar Mikko13-Mar-2013 17:22
Nice shot, light!
Carl H. Johnson20-Feb-2013 13:52
Outstanding work!!!~V~
William Barletta19-Feb-2013 22:10
A wonderful capture
John Hamers19-Feb-2013 17:51
Fantastic capture, with great details and lighting !! V
Peterfree18-Feb-2013 22:29
Beautiful image with great lighting. Wellseen and well done. V
Range View 17-Feb-2013 22:20
The lighting is magical, even highlighting the stars! V
Barbara
Chris Morton17-Feb-2013 20:19
a rendering of great strength
Kevin Warren17-Feb-2013 13:51
This is so beautiful!
Jim Coffman17-Feb-2013 13:33
This is just excellent... Love the lighting!
Stephanie17-Feb-2013 12:46
Oh wow!!! Your lighting and image are outstanding Helen!!! BV+++
Kim17-Feb-2013 12:38
Very beautiful light and details, nicely capture! V
Tomasz Dziubinski - Photography17-Feb-2013 12:36
Fantastic capture of this beautiful chapel, Voted.