Because(fortunately or not, depending on how you look at it) the air in Wieliczka is air conditioned, so the temperature inside is around 20C with low humidity, very unlike what it should be in a mine like that. I remember visiting it years ago before they made this decision, you definitely needed warm clothing or you'd get really cold otherwise, you can experience what that was like by visiting some other mines nearby like the silver and lead mine in Silesia. I imagine the decision was taken for two reasons - to preserve the interior of the mine better, but also to make the attraction more palatable to the neverending stream of tourists visiting every day, most of whom are coming in shorts and t-shirts especially during summer - in the old days you'd have a seriously bad time if you did that for the entire 3 hour long tour.
Do you happen to know when the air conditioning was added? I recall what seemed a very cold visit nearly two decades ago but couldn’t find any information online as to when the air conditioning was added.
Hmmmm I don't know the exact year - googling it isn't helpful either, I only found this page saying the AC system has been expanded in 2018[0] but I can't find the original date of installation.
Funny. Until about 2006 when the underground amusement park was built, the Turda salt mine functioned as a sanatorium for asthmatics. People praised the breathability of its air.
