Lexi Webster
Hallstatt, Austria, is a small town nestled in the country's Salzkammergut region. It is known for its storybook appearance, with colourful houses, a historic market square, the country's largest bone house, and a 7,000-year-old salt mine. Hallstatt offers breathtaking natural beauty, with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The old town, with its quaint streets and gingerbread-like houses, is a delight to explore. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, boat rides on the lake, and cable car rides to nearby ice caves and panoramic viewpoints. With its unique blend of history, culture, and natural wonders, Hallstatt is a must-visit destination in Austria.
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What You'll Learn
The town's salt production and salt mine tours
Hallstatt, a small town in Upper Austria, is famous for its salt production and salt mines. The town's salt mines have been operational since the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the salt produced here has been an important source of income for the region.
The Hallstatt Salt Mine is the oldest in the world, and a tour of the mine is a unique experience. The 90-minute tour takes visitors through the ancient tunnels and passageways, where miners have walked for thousands of years. The mine can only be visited as part of a guided tour, and the entire experience, including the tour and a round trip on the funicular, takes about three hours. The funicular to the salt mine is located in the village of Hallstatt itself, making it easily accessible.
The Hallstatt Salt Mine is also known for its annual Open House Event Weekend, organised in collaboration with the Natural History Museum Vienna. During this event, visitors can learn about the latest research and excavations in the area, with guided tours of the prehistoric grave fields. These tours require prior registration and a good level of physical fitness, as well as sturdy shoes and warm clothing.
In addition to the salt mine, Hallstatt offers other attractions related to its salt production. The Hallstatt Museum, for example, showcases the history of the area, including exhibits on the Hallstatt Era, the Celts and Romans who lived there, and the town's development during the Romantic Age. The museum also displays artefacts found in prehistoric grave sites near the salt mine.
A visit to the Skywalk, located at the valley station of the Salzberg cable car, offers a thrilling experience with panoramic views of the region. The cable car ride itself provides stunning vistas of the landscape, with three stops along the way up the mountain. At the top, visitors can enjoy culinary delights at the Rudolfsturm, a medieval defence tower dating back to the late 13th century.
The salt mine and its surrounding attractions provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Hallstatt, making it a unique and memorable destination for visitors.
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The Hallstatt Ossuary, or Bone House
The Hallstatt Ossuary, also known as the Charnel House or the Bone House, is one of the most interesting tourist sites in Hallstatt. The small cave-like room, located in the upper part of the old town, contains over 2,100 skulls and other human bones stacked along the walls. The Bone House exists because of the limited space in the Catholic Church's cemetery. As cemeteries filled up, bodies were exhumed to make room for new burials. The skulls were then painted with roses, wreaths, and crosses, and the bones were carefully stacked in the charnel house.
The Bone House is located in St. Michael's Chapel, which dates back to the 12th century and is situated next to the Catholic parish church. The chapel features a baroque altar and pulpit, exquisite stained-glass windows, and two stone lanterns used during funeral masses. The Bone House itself is unassuming and small, but it holds the largest collection of skulls in the world, with over 600 artistically painted skulls. The skulls were decorated at the end of the 18th century and even into the 20th century, with names or initials added to identify the deceased.
The Ossuary is a popular attraction for visitors from all over the world, who come to admire the unusual collection of skulls and learn about the unique burial customs of Hallstatt. The cemetery outside the Bone House is also worth visiting, with its beautiful gardens and carved wooden crosses above small graves. Visitors can take a leisurely walk up the hill to the church and explore the historic pilgrimage site, which includes the ossuary and a small mountain cemetery.
The Hallstatt Ossuary is a fascinating and macabre part of Hallstatt's history, and it offers a unique insight into the town's past burial practices. It is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about the culture and traditions of this charming Austrian town. The Bone House is a testament to the limited space in the Catholic Church's cemetery and serves as a reminder of the town's long history and the lives of its former citizens.
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The Old Town and its colourful buildings
The Old Town of Hallstatt is a tiny town in the Upper Austria Region, located on the side of a lake. It is a beautiful place, seemingly straight out of a dream or a fairytale book. The town is known for its 7,000-year-old salt mining history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Old Town is full of colourful buildings and picturesque streets, ideal for getting lost in. The Marktplatz, or the main square, is surrounded by colourful buildings and is home to souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, and a bar. The focal point of the Old Town is the old market square and the Protestant church. There are shops, cafes, and restaurants housed in old stone and wooden buildings along the main street and market. The streets of the Old Town are charming and beautiful, with pastel-coloured houses. You can wander through the small village for hours, taking in the sounds and smells of the shops and bakeries and watching life unfold in this tiny Austrian village.
The Parish of the Assumption (Maria am Berg) is one of the two main churches in Hallstatt, located in the upper part of the Old Town. It has a very nice cemetery, from where you can see wonderful views of the lake. The other church is the Lutheran Church, which is located in the centre of town and is prominent due to its steep spire. The town also has a small burial ground, and an ossuary, or bone house, with over 2,100 skulls and other human bones, located in the upper part of the Old Town.
The Old Town of Hallstatt is a magical place, and it is no wonder that it is considered the most Instagrammable town in the world. However, it is important to note that the town has a small population and has become a prime example of overtourism in Austria, with an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 tourists per day.
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The Dachstein Ice Caves
A Breathtaking Adventure
The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave offers a breathtaking adventure through rock and ice formations. The cave is a mixture of impressive ice and stone structures, beautifully illuminated with coloured lights. The ice formations are created by water seeping through small cracks in the cliff, which freezes when the outside temperature is above freezing, resulting in magnificent ice shapes. The cave is also home to "Ben + Boris", two life-sized cave bears that add to the excitement of the experience.
A Chance to Explore Nature's Wonders
The Dachstein Ice Cave is a natural wonder, formed by water seeping through cracks in the Dachstein plateau. It is protected as a natural monument and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area of Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape. The cave offers a glimpse into an underground world, with its glistening ice shapes and figures, and the abyss with its 30-metre-deep rope bridge.
A Historical Perspective
The Dachstein Ice Cave has a fascinating history. It is believed that the ice within the cave could be around 500 years old, according to pollen analysis. The cave was first investigated in 1910 by Austrian cave explorers, and it opened for tourism in 1912. In 1928, electric lighting was installed, making it more accessible to visitors.
A Fun and Accessible Activity
The Dachstein Ice Cave is accessible via a well-maintained path and is perfect for visitors of all ages. It is located just a few minutes' walk from the Schönbergalm, and the journey to the cave offers beautiful views of the Krippenstein and the famous lake Hallstättersee. The cave tour itself takes about 50 minutes, and it is recommended to dress warmly as the temperature inside is about -2 degrees Celsius.
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The Hallstatt Christmas Market
The market consists of little chalets presenting authentic Austrian food, including traditional delicacies like Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten, and Tafelspitz, often paired with potatoes, dumplings, or sauerkraut. Visitors can also indulge in fondue, whether cheese or meat, and street food-style bratwurst served with mustard and bread. For dessert, there is Apfelstrudel with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and the iconic Sacher cake. Festive drinks like Glühwein (mulled wine), hot cider, and eggnog are also available to warm up with.
The market features a stunning three-dimensional nativity scene, created by the woodworking school HTBLA Hallstatt, and a large illuminated Christmas tree, adding to the cosy atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy musical entertainment, arts and crafts, and imaginative Christmas decorations and handmade surprises.
For those seeking a more active experience, there are nearby ice caves and alpine trails to explore, as well as a cable car that offers panoramic views of the region. The Hallstatt Christmas Market is a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season and experience the charm of Hallstatt during the most beautiful time of the year.
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Frequently asked questions
Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for the preservation of its architectural style, cultural practices and ancient traditions, which can be traced back to the Iron Age. The town is also famous for its salt production and its picturesque setting on the shore of a lake.
Hallstatt has a rich history, with several sites of interest, including the world's oldest salt mine, the Bone House, the Hallstatt Lutheran Church and the Ossuary. The town also has a beautiful market square, and the surrounding area offers panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
Hallstatt has several restaurants offering traditional Austrian cuisine, including the highly-rated Bräugasthof and Seewirt Zauner. There are also opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding area, including the Dachstein Ice Caves and the Alps.
The fall and winter months tend to be the best time to visit Hallstatt, with fewer tourists and the chance to experience the town's festive charm. If you visit on December 8, you can also attend the annual Hallstatt Christmas Market.
