Monumentalna architektura górnicza i problem jej konserwacji : na przykładzie Wieliczki

The paper contains a brief description of the architecture of underground mining chambers, the conditions of their establishment, the present-day state of the preservation of the ancient chambers and galleries as well as their classification; special impact is placed on subterranean chapels and places of religious cult. The author also mentions the more important mobile objects which are part of the mining chambers and include transportation devices, assorted machinery as well as relics of sacral art and the applied arts connected with mining. The second part of the paper deals with the preservation of the mine itself, sculptures in salt and antiquities made of iron. It also describes difficulties involved in the realisation of this type of preservation. The dimension of the Wieliczka enterprise remains unique on an European scale.