The Wieliczka Salt Mine (Polish: Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka), located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. The mine, built in the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest salt mines still in operation (it had been in operation for over 700 years). Commercial mining was discontinued in 1996 due to low salt prices and mine flooding.

The mine's attractions include dozens of statues, three chapels and an entire cathedral that has been carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The oldest sculptures are augmented by the new carvings by contemporary artists. About 1.2 million people visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine annually. The Wieliczka Salt Mine reaches a depth of 327 meters (1,073 feet) and is over 300 kilometers (190 miles) long. Today, 3 of the 9 levels are open to visitors. The route covers 3.5 km and down to a depth of 135m. There are 20 chambers to visit. Temperature underground ranges between 14° and 16° C.

The rock salt is naturally gray in various shades, resembling unpolished granite rather than the white or crystalline look that many visitors may expect. The mine features an underground lake and also houses a private rehabilitation and wellness complex. There is a chapel, and a reception room that is used for private functions, including weddings. The Wieliczka mine is often referred to as "the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland." In 1978 it was placed on the original UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Notable visitors to this site have included Nicolaus Copernicus, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Fryderyk Chopin, Dmitri Mendeleyev, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyła (later, Pope John Paul II), former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and many others.