Salzberg
at Lake Hallstatt
The Salzberg
Region: Upper Austria
Height: 855 m
Peaks around:
Plassen ( 1 953 m), Schneidkogel (1 552 m)
Hohe Sieg (1 151 m)
Especially for: families, hikers, panorama seekers, archaeologists
From the history
Around 1 500 B.C. the numerous salt deposits in Hallstatt's Salzberg (salt mountain) were noticed and salt mining began. Years passed until the 4 000 m long tunnel system was completed, because 1 m of tunnel required 1 month of working time at that time.
At the end of the 16th century, the brine was transported to Bad Ischl and later on to Ebensee.
In the 19th century, a burial ground from 800 to 400 BC, also known as the "Hallstatt period", was found on the Salzberg, also known as the "Hallstätter Hochtal" (Hallstatt's high valley). More than 1 500 graves of people of all ages were uncovered. Also various things like drinking vessels from Italy, ivory or amber were found, from which one concluded that there was already at that time a lively exchange beyond the national borders.
Excavations are still being carried out in the high valley. Since 2016 there have also been core drillings in Lake Hallstatt. The strata taken from these are to provide even more information about the history, up to the Stone Age.
Tip for Hallstatt visitors
Travel to Hallstatt by boat! The views across the lake are unforgettable, and the boat transports you directly to the historic market square.
