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Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka
The Cracow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka has received PLN 30.3 million in funding from the European Funds programme Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS) for the implementation of the third stage of the reconstruction of the Saltworks Castle complex.
The project includes the renovation of the Middle Castle and the adaptation of the Southern Castle for new educational and cultural functions. The initiative aims to create a modern permanent exhibition, “The Salt Jewel in the Crown,” including interactive multimedia displays that will enrich the museum’s offer.
As part of the works, a publicly accessible square will also be created, referencing the historic saltworks garden. It will be designed as an open, welcoming space fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Southern Castle will gain new functions and become an educational, cultural, and gastronomic space, allowing for even better use of the potential of the historic complex.
Thanks to these changes, the Saltworks Castle will become one of the most important cultural centres in the region, offering an attractive and modern educational, cultural, and tourist programme. The project also includes promotional and soft activities such as staff training, developing ecological competencies, and strengthening public awareness.
The total value of the project amounts to PLN 50.58 million.
The project includes the renovation of the Middle Castle and the adaptation of the Southern Castle for new educational and cultural functions. The initiative aims to create a modern permanent exhibition, “The Salt Jewel in the Crown,” including interactive multimedia displays that will enrich the museum’s offer.
As part of the works, a publicly accessible square will also be created, referencing the historic saltworks garden. It will be designed as an open, welcoming space fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Southern Castle will gain new functions and become an educational, cultural, and gastronomic space, allowing for even better use of the potential of the historic complex.
Thanks to these changes, the Saltworks Castle will become one of the most important cultural centres in the region, offering an attractive and modern educational, cultural, and tourist programme. The project also includes promotional and soft activities such as staff training, developing ecological competencies, and strengthening public awareness.
The total value of the project amounts to PLN 50.58 million.
What will change after the investment?
The planned works include, among others:
The target groups of the investment include residents of Kraków, Wieliczka, and the region, domestic and international tourists, pupils and students participating in educational activities and workshops, people with disabilities, local artists and cultural institutions cooperating in events, and museum staff benefiting from improved working conditions and exhibition facilities.
A new chapter in the history of the Saltworks Castle
Until recently, the museum collections and temporary exhibitions occupied only the central part of the castle, with an area of approximately 400 m². This limited the possibilities for presenting the collection and organising events. For this reason, there have long been plans to open the entire castle complex to the public.
A key step was relocating the museum’s administration to a new building at 12 Daniłowicza Street, purchased in 2017 and thoroughly renovated. In parallel, the modernization of the Northern Castle was carried out, which today serves exhibition purposes.
In the future, the salt cellar collection will be moved to this wing in a new, impressive arrangement. On the ground floor, a permanent exhibition “The Salt Jewel in the Crown” will be created, presenting the history of the Wieliczka salt enterprise from the 13th century until 1996, when industrial salt extraction ended.
#EUFunds #EuropeanFunds
Signing of the agreement
On 4 December 2025, Director Jan Godłowski signed an agreement with the construction company CECHINI for the continued reconstruction of the castle. As a result, the museum’s exhibition space will increase to over 1,470 m², enabling the creation of the new permanent exhibition “The Salt Jewel in the Crown.”
What lies ahead?
Middle Castle: will be transformed into a modern exhibition space.
Southern Castle: educational classes will be conducted on the upper floor.
Facilities: lifts for people with disabilities will be installed in both renovated wings, and staircases will be rebuilt. The buildings will receive modern ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as upgraded fire protection and anti-burglary systems.
Infrastructure: an underground passage connecting the Northern and Middle Castles will be opened, and a publicly accessible square referencing the historic saltworks garden will be created, fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The planned opening of the castle in its new form is scheduled for the turn of 2028 and 2029. The reconstruction is part of a major project titled “Modernisation of the Saltworks Castle with the creation of the permanent exhibition ‘The Salt Jewel in the Crown.’”
The investment is co-financed by the European Union in the amount of PLN 30,305,050.84, and its total value is PLN 50,576,004.06.
- installation of lifts and reconstruction of staircases,
- development of an underground passage connecting the Northern and Middle Castles,
- creation of modern, fully secured exhibition halls,
- adaptation of the Southern Castle for educational and workshop activities,
- establishment of a gastronomic zone on the lowest floor,
- creation of a publicly accessible square referencing the former saltworks garden.
- After completion of all works, the museum’s exhibition space will increase to 1,470 m², and the facility will become fully accessible to people with disabilities. The castle in its new form is planned to open to visitors in the second half of 2028.
The target groups of the investment include residents of Kraków, Wieliczka, and the region, domestic and international tourists, pupils and students participating in educational activities and workshops, people with disabilities, local artists and cultural institutions cooperating in events, and museum staff benefiting from improved working conditions and exhibition facilities.
A new chapter in the history of the Saltworks Castle
Until recently, the museum collections and temporary exhibitions occupied only the central part of the castle, with an area of approximately 400 m². This limited the possibilities for presenting the collection and organising events. For this reason, there have long been plans to open the entire castle complex to the public.
A key step was relocating the museum’s administration to a new building at 12 Daniłowicza Street, purchased in 2017 and thoroughly renovated. In parallel, the modernization of the Northern Castle was carried out, which today serves exhibition purposes.
In the future, the salt cellar collection will be moved to this wing in a new, impressive arrangement. On the ground floor, a permanent exhibition “The Salt Jewel in the Crown” will be created, presenting the history of the Wieliczka salt enterprise from the 13th century until 1996, when industrial salt extraction ended.
#EUFunds #EuropeanFunds
Signing of the agreement
On 4 December 2025, Director Jan Godłowski signed an agreement with the construction company CECHINI for the continued reconstruction of the castle. As a result, the museum’s exhibition space will increase to over 1,470 m², enabling the creation of the new permanent exhibition “The Salt Jewel in the Crown.”
What lies ahead?
Middle Castle: will be transformed into a modern exhibition space.
Southern Castle: educational classes will be conducted on the upper floor.
Facilities: lifts for people with disabilities will be installed in both renovated wings, and staircases will be rebuilt. The buildings will receive modern ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as upgraded fire protection and anti-burglary systems.
Infrastructure: an underground passage connecting the Northern and Middle Castles will be opened, and a publicly accessible square referencing the historic saltworks garden will be created, fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The planned opening of the castle in its new form is scheduled for the turn of 2028 and 2029. The reconstruction is part of a major project titled “Modernisation of the Saltworks Castle with the creation of the permanent exhibition ‘The Salt Jewel in the Crown.’”
The investment is co-financed by the European Union in the amount of PLN 30,305,050.84, and its total value is PLN 50,576,004.06.
Visualization of the new permanent exhibition: “The Salt Jewel in the Crown.”
