About half an hour’s journey from the city of Pperies in Upper Hungary, there is a very famous salt mine. From the first place of descent down to the very bottom, the mine is extremely deep, measuring about one hundred and fourscore fathoms. The miners first go down into the mine by the help of strong ropes, and when they reach the lower parts, they continue their descent by ladders. This shows how deep and important the mine is, and also how brave the workers must be to perform their daily labour in such a place A Journey from Vienna into Styria Carinthia Carniola and Friuli.
The ground of this mine is mostly earthy rather than rocky. This makes it different from many other mines that are cut into hard stone. Because the soil is softer, the miners must work carefully so that the passages do not fall in. Even so, the mine is well managed and remains open for constant use.
Large Veins of Salt
The veins of salt in this mine are very large and remarkable. Some pieces of salt that are found here can weigh up to ten thousand pounds, which is an extraordinary size. The workers usually cut the salt into long square blocks. These pieces are commonly about two feet in length and about one foot in thickness. After they are cut out, the salt is later broken and ground between large grindstones so that it can be used more easily in daily life.
This method of shaping and grinding the salt makes it suitable for trade and for many household uses. It also shows the great abundance of salt in the mine, since such large pieces can be removed without difficulty Sightseeing Tours Turkey.
Conditions Inside the Mine
The mine is cold and moist, which is natural for such a deep underground place. However, the salt found there is stone salt, and it is not easily dissolved by dampness or moisture. Even though the air is wet, the solid salt remains strong and firm.
Much of the water that collects in the mine becomes filled with salt. This salty water is drawn out in large buckets and then boiled. When it is boiled, it produces a blackish kind of salt. This salt is not usually used for people, but it is given to cattle in that country, which makes it useful in another way.
Colours and Types of Salt
The ordinary stone salt from this mine is not perfectly white. It is usually somewhat grey in colour. However, when it is broken and ground into powder, it becomes as white as if it had been fully refined. The salt is formed of pointed and sharp particles, which can easily be seen when examined closely.
There are also different kinds of salt found in the mine. One kind forms in square shapes and flat tables. Another kind appears in long shoots or slender crystals. Not all the salt is of one colour either. Some pieces are mixed with earth and therefore take on a darker shade. Even the purest salt, which often looks like crystal, can show beautiful colours.
Rare and Beautiful Salt Crystals
In some crystal salt with long shoots, I once observed a delicate blue colour in the middle, which was very pleasing to the eye. I also saw, at the house of Count Rothall in Vienna, a large piece of salt that was clear and of a fine transparent yellow colour. These examples show how varied and beautiful natural minerals can be.
Some pieces of salt are so clear and hard that they can be carved into different figures, almost like crystal itself. Because of their beauty and hardness, they are not only useful but also admired as natural curiosities. I obtained several pieces of these different kinds of salt and later brought them with me into England as rare examples of the mine’s produce.
Final Thoughts on Mines and Minerals
It is now time to conclude this long account of mines and minerals. To many people, such subjects may seem of little importance. However, for those who are curious about nature and the hidden riches of the earth, these descriptions are very valuable.
These mines are located in regions that are not well known to us, and they have been rarely described in detail. For this reason, it seemed proper to give a careful and particular account of them. By observing these natural wonders, we gain a better understanding of the resources of the earth and the remarkable ways in which nature forms minerals deep below the ground.
