For centuries Bochnia’s history has been inextricably linked with salt, the rich deposits having been exploited by generations of the town’s inhabitants ever since the Middle Ages. Up to the mid-thirteenth century the salt was extracted from saline springs. The first written document mentioning Bochnia is dated 1198 and refers to a donation of salt to one of the Małopolska orders.
The discovery of rock salt in 1248 was of crucial importance to Bochnia and its presence significantly accelerated the town’s development. In 1253 Duke Boleslaw V the Chaste granted Bochnia city rights. It is interesting to note that the once capital city of royal Krakow, located less than 40 km to the west of the salt town, was not granted this honour until four years later. With good reason Bochnia prides itself on being one of the oldest towns in Małopolska.
Rapid development of Bochnia took place during the reign of the King Casimir the Great, who found new markets for the salt. Ever since this time salt mining has been a major influence on the development of the town and has shaped its character. Today the salt mine is an important part of Bochnia’s identity and also a tourist attraction.
Currently, Bochnia has a population of almost 30 thousand inhabitants. The primary objective of the town is to develop its tourist potential, but another important objective is to attract investors to the “Bochnia Economic Activity Zone” which is created on its outskirts. These two sources of economic growth, over the coming years, will decide Bochnia’s future. This is a town worth visiting; a place where both tradition and modernity are to be found side-by-side.
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