The legend of Saint KingaThe legend of Saint Kinga – – how Hungarian princess how Hungarian princess

started salt mines in the south of Polandstarted salt mines in the south of Poland

Hungarian king

Prince Boleslaw Prince Boleslaw WstydliwyWstydliwy - - the ruler  the ruler of of PolandPoland

Long, long ago, when Prince Boleslaw Long, long ago, when Prince Boleslaw WstydliwyWstydliwy was the  was the ruler of ruler of PolandPoland, he decided to ask the princess of , he decided to ask the princess of Hungary - KingaHungary - Kinga to marry him to marry him

the princess of the princess of Hungary - KingaHungary - Kinga

So he sentSo he sent a message a message the court of the Hungarian king the court of the Hungarian king  and ordered to give an engagement ring and ordered to give an engagement ring to the to the princessprincess Kinga. Kinga.   SheShe agreed to become a Polish  agreed to become a Polish queenqueen

KingKingaa's father wanted to give 's father wanted to give her her gold and jewels as dowry, but gold and jewels as dowry, but the the princessprincess said that this said that this would not would not be be goodgood, because, because the the Polish king was Polish king was wealthywealthy

Kinga's father askKinga's father asked hered her: : ’’So whatSo what dowry do dowry do you want my daughter? you want my daughter?’’ The princessThe princess after some thought asked her father to g after some thought asked her father to giive themve them salt salt

KingaKinga removed removed her engagement ringher engagement ring from Boleslawfrom Boleslawand threw him into and threw him into the shaftthe shaft of of the mine in Marumurethe mine in Marumureszandszand Soon  Kinga Kinga went to the went to the court of King Boleslawcourt of King Boleslaw

After several days, seekAfter several days, seeking to ing to find her dowry, she find her dowry, she asked her asked her husband to husband to showshow her her kingdomkingdomand they came together and they came together with nobles and with nobles and servantsservants

Soon Soon Kinga Kinga told to stop and directold to stop and directed ted her servantsher servants to to dig in tdig in the groundhe ground

One of the peasants gave Kinga whiteOne of the peasants gave Kinga white piece of rock, piece of rock, which was a lump of salt. which was a lump of salt. 

She oShe ordered rdered to to split split it it and herand her engagement ringengagement ring fell fell out of the lump.out of the lump.

Then Then ththeeyy all understall understooood d whatwhat a dowry  a dowry father father gave hergave herand that theand that the ring,ring, which she threwwhich she threwinto theinto the mine mine in Marumuresz,in Marumuresz,  brought precioubrought precious salt to Pols salt to Polandand..

Since then,the mine in Wieliczka is famous Since then,the mine in Wieliczka is famous for its rich salt deposits. Princess for its rich salt deposits. Princess Kinga long andKinga long and wisely ruled the Polish people. wisely ruled the Polish people.