Chełm Chalk Tunnels
A town built over kilometres of tunnels dug into the chalk, which you visit fifteen metres underground.
The story
For centuries the people of Chełm mined white chalk, the kind used for writing, by digging under their own houses, until the ground beneath the centre became a maze of tunnels on several levels. After the war some of the tunnels were reinforced and opened to the public: the guided tour even introduces you to Bieluch, the white ghost of legend. Up above, on the hill, stands the basilica with its Marian shrine.
Why go
A truly unusual underground visit, little known outside Poland.
In the itineraries
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Weather forecast
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
Getting there
- By train. The nearest station is Chełm Miasto station, 1.4 km away (about 25 minutes on foot). Alternatively: Chełm station, 1.5 km away.
- By air. The nearest airport is Lublin Airport (LUZ), about 54 km away.
- Parking. There are many signposted car parks within a kilometre; the nearest is 50 m away.
Stations, ports, airports and car parks from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); distances as the crow flies. Timetables and connections change: check them before you travel.
Climate month by month
The most pleasant months for weather are from May to September, with average highs between 18 and 29 °C. From December to March night-time temperatures drop below freezing on average. The wettest month is July (about 82 mm), the driest February.
| Month | Temperature | High / low | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | from -6 to 0 °C | 0° -6° | 50 |
| Feb | from -4 to 3 °C | 3° -4° | 39 |
| Mar | from -1 to 8 °C | 8° -1° | 42 |
| Apr | from 3 to 14 °C | 14° 3° | 52 |
| May | from 8 to 19 °C | 19° 8° | 74 |
| Jun | from 14 to 24 °C | 24° 14° | 73 |
| Jul | from 15 to 25 °C | 25° 15° | 82 |
| Aug | from 15 to 26 °C | 26° 15° | 64 |
| Sep | from 10 to 21 °C | 21° 10° | 66 |
| Oct | from 5 to 14 °C | 14° 5° | 55 |
| Nov | from 0 to 6 °C | 6° 0° | 42 |
| Dec | from -3 to 1 °C | 1° -3° | 53 |
Averages for 2015–2024, estimated for an altitude of 212 m. Air: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), corrected for the altitude of the place; rain: average monthly total. These are indicative values: the weather on any given day can be very different, so always check the forecast before you go.
Nearby
- Polesie National ParkNature · 38 km as the crow flies
- ★ Włodawa SynagogueHistory and art · 46 km as the crow flies
- ZamośćTown · 49 km as the crow flies
- State Museum at MajdanekHistory and art · 62 km as the crow flies
- Lublin Castle and the Chapel of the Holy TrinityHistory and art · 64 km as the crow flies
- Lublin Old TownTown · 65 km as the crow flies
← See it on the map with all 16 placesGuide to Lublin Province