Photography - Ivan Andrejic
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Hallstatt - UNESCO world heritage site Between mountain and lake in the holiday region Dachstein Salzkammergut lies the unique world heritage town Hallstatt. With its many years of history and authentic architecture admist beautiful scenery the town delights people all around the globe. Part of the UNESCO world heritage sites since 1997, Hallstatt can rely on its uniqueness. In China they have already made a copy of the town.. But original remains original. Hallstatt has 7000 years of history, and here can be found, amongst many other fascinating features, the oldest wooden staircase in the world. This picturesque village on the shore of the lake, which takes its name, owes its existence to rich salt deposits, which have been mined here since the days of the Celts and Illyrians. (Hall = salt, Statt = place) Rudolfsturm (Rudolf ’s Tower) sits on a mountain perch 855 metres above the village, guarding the entrance to the Salzberg high valley, site of a famous prehistoric burial ground and of modern salt-mine installations. “Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut” is a designated UNESCO “World Heritage Site” since 1997.
Lake Hallstatt With the Dachstein in the background, Hallstatt and Bad Goisern to one side and the Traun in the middle, Lake Hallstatt is not just one of the most remarkable natural features of the Inner Salzkammergut, but it also has a “personality” all of its own. The 8.2 kilometre long, maximum 2.1 kilometre wide and up to 125m deep Lake Hallstatt has always attracted lots of visitors. The travel writer Christoph Wagner enthuses: “The lake appears upon first glance like the big sister of a sub-terranean mountain lake which Hades accidentally set free. The dark waters are of a bizarre beauty which bring forth the powers of the deep underground.” The lake has been referred to as the “melancholic lake”, the “still fjord” and the “vision of a perfect mountain lake”. Lake Hallstatt is a classic relic of the Ice Age and it has a total area of 858 square metres lying between the steep Obertraun and Hallstatt mountains and Bad Goisern. Lake Hallstatt is the fifth largest of the Salzkammergut lakes. The lake also carried wood from the Gosau Valley, and then later on saline from Hallstatt to Ebensee. Today the lake is more important for Lake Hallstatt lake cruises business, operated by the Hemetsberger Family. The boats also transport passangers backwards and forwards across the lake to the railway station. Indeed, many people get their first glimpses of the picturesque World Heritage Resort from the lake having arrived by train and boat. You can also take a stroll along the a Eastern Shore Trail from Bad Goisern or Obertraun to fully appreciate the beauty of the lake. The “Soleleitungsweg” along the steep sides of the western shore leads from Hallstatt via the Goisern Valley to Ebensee. This trail affords views down to the fjord-like lake.
Protestant Church in Hallstatt The Teachings of Martin Luther became popular, especially among miners, in the 16th century in the Salzkammergut. There was so much resistance and upheaval in the Salzkammergut during this period of religious Reformation. 1n 1601, all bridges were destroyed, transportation of wood and boats was made impossible .... Evangelical preachers appealed against the Catholic Church. Yet the Archbishop of Salzburg’s supporters suppressed this rebellion, and condemned the opposition to death and set their homes on fire. Like most other towns in the Salzkammergut, Hallstatt was under attack for a number of years. In 1734, 300 Protestants, not including women and children, were forced out of their homes in Hallstatt, Ischl and Goisern by night and often in horrendous weather conditions. Soldiers transported them to the “Siebenbuergen� where they now had to settle. In 1781, Emperor Joseph II showed some religious tolerance and allowed Protestants to practice their faith with restrictions. At this time, there were 500 Protestant inhabitants of Hallstatt, and just 3 years later they had built their first Prayer Room as well as a private school. The Neo-Gothic, Evangelical church which exists in Hallstatt today was built in 1863. Emperor Franz Josef I (1861) declared that the Evagelical and Catholic faiths should be equally tolerated. Please see the picture to the left.
Catholic church in Hallstatt The Catholic “Pfarrkirche” church in Hallstatt is a beautiful “gem” in the heart of our World Cultural Heritage region. It is thought that this romantic little church dates back to about 1181. The impressive tower, which still stands today, originates certainly from the 12th century. By 1505, the church had been completed, despite difficulties in building such a stunning masterpiece on top of verical rock faces. During the harsh religious wars which followed, the church (which has 2 aisles) was used alternately by both Catholics and Protestants. It remained the pride of the salt miners and rich country people alike. Since 1939, the upkeep has been the responsibility of this small, local parish, and has also benefitted from donations from Friends and visitors. The Catholic “Pfarrkirche” was completely restored in 2002!
Hallstatt Museum Take a journey into the past: through the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Hallstatt period, the La Tène period, the time of the Romans up to the modern era. The famous excavation area that gave an entire epoch ist name is to be found in the high valley above Hallstatt. The findings exhibited in the museum document the exquisite luxury and elite understanding of art in this period, and are also evidence of international trade relations.
Church on the Kalvarienberg in Hallstatt The small and romantic church on the mountain About 24000 larch timbers were needed to repair the church on the Kalvarienberg which was in danger of collapse. The arched roof was restored a few years ago and resembles the original. The church dates back to 1711, and together with the “Kreuzwegkapellen� (chapels), was a gift from a wealthy childless couple who wanted the church to be their final resting place.
Salt Mines Hallstatt Feel the magic of bygone days and immerse yourself in a magical realm of glistening salt crystals, mystical salt lakes and mysterious mine tunnels, where history comes alive. Welcome to a fascinating subterranean adventure. Welcome to Salt Worlds! Venerated as a “gift of the gods”, traded like gold: This natural resource shaped the history of Austria in general, and the areas surrounding the city of Salzburg in particular. Cities such as Salzburg, Hallein and Hallstatt, as well as regions like the Salzkammergut owe their names, but also their prosperity, to salt. Even all the way back in Celtic times, it began playing an important role in the nature and culture of mankind, while in the Middle Ages it was the most important trading commodity there was. The significance of this historic mineral is also reflected in the fact that Salinen Austria AG boasts the longest uninterrupted corporate history in all of Europe. No wonder, then, that salt also became known as “white gold”.
Hallstatt “World Heritage View” Sky walk Here, 360 meters above the rooftops of Hallstatt, time briefly seems to stand completely still. When you step out onto this imposing viewing platform, walk the 12 meters out to its tapered point, rest your hands on the railing and gaze out on the untamed natural beauty before you – that’s when you will understand exactly what we mean. It looks breathtakingly beautiful, seemingly jutting out into nothingness: The “World Heritage View” lookout platform was officially dedicated in 2013 and has been a magnet for visitors from every corner of the globe ever since. No wonder: When you stand on the “Skywalk”, Hallstatt lies right there at your feet. You look down on the world-famous World Heritage town, the cradle of the Hallstatt Period. Sparkling mystically, Hallstätter See nestles up against the medieval town like a fjord, flanked wonderfully by the spectacular panoramas of the Dachstein. The Skywalk is located on the Salzberg outside Hallstatt, directly below a former defensive tower known as the “Rudolfsturm”. From here, the views of UNESCO World Heritage Region Hallstatt-DachsteinSalzkammergut are especially impressive. And it makes you wonder how people over 7000 years ago perceived this same region. Even back in prehistoric times, the Hallstatt High Valley provided a working and living habitat for miners and their families. Actually, it was pure chance that the graves of these former mining families were discovered, during gravel digging that was being undertaken in the middle of the 19th century, in 1846 to be precise. We owe it to a mine operations manager in Hallstatt at that time, Johann Georg Ramsauer, that detailed records of these original excavations still exist, records which were kept in cooperation with the Hofkammer in Vienna. Ultimately, these finds would give their name to an entire époque of human history: Around the world, the years of the Late Iron Age between around 800 and 400 BC would become known as the “Hallstatt Period”.
Dachstein Cave world The Dachstein Cave World and its three natural show caves rank among the most significant natural monuments of Austria. About 200 million years ago the warm primeval ocean Tethys formed, extending directly over where today’s huge Dachstein massif is rising. In the course of millions of years calcite precipitation and shells secreted by marine organisms were deposited on ocean floors forming a calcite stratum, 1.000 m deep. This sea was also home to ‘megalodonts’, heart-shaped shells and today the Dachstein massif is famous for these fossils which are due to their shape referred to as ‘cattle footprints’ (“Kuhtritte”). The Dachstein massif is a result of continental drifts causing the tectonic uplifting and folding of the calcite stratum. Water enriched with carbon dioxide infiltrated through surface cracks and crevices dissolving the limestone (calcite) and consequently forming caves which developed huge extensions in the course of time. These magnificent giant ice palaces rank among the greatest natural wonders of the Alps. People come from all over the world come to admire these subterranean Dachstein ice caves. Gigantic cave glaciers, vast icebergs, frozen cascades of blue-coloured ice and “ice chapels” are just some of the highlights of your tour. These caves are the perfect refuge for humans and animals on cold, rainy days - just as they have been for thousands of years - and on a hot summer’s day they are a welcome contrast to the outside world.
Dachstein Krippenstein cable car The Dachstein Krippenstein cable car not only takes you to the Schönbergalm, the Dachstein Ice Caves and to the Mammoth Cave without any need to flex those muscles, it also takes you to Obertraun’s local mountain, the Krippenstein at 2100m. You don’t just get to enjoy a fantastic panorama view here, there are also a great deal of hikes suitable for anyone. Hiking to the spectacular “5fingers” viewing platform 5 platforms protrude beyond a 500m drop! – a real buzz – head to the Welterbespirale, which, as well as the fantastic view, also invites you to take it easy on the cosy, relaxing loungers. The 3rd section of the route takes you to the Gjaidalm station, a perfect starting point for additional hikes on the Dachstein plateau!
5 fingers Viewing platform Not for the faint-hearted! The 5fingers viewing platform offers an adrenaline rush at the highest level. This is probably the most spectacular viewing platform in the Alps and reaches out like a hand over the 400 m drop. Over 5 platforms (the 5fingers), each in a different design, you can put your head for heights to the test and enjoy unique views down over Hallstatt, the Hallstättersee lake and the inner Salzkammergut region. The 5 different levels, each 4 x 1 m in size, offer spectacular insight and views. One of the platforms is made entirely from glass and another enables visitors to gain their own personal view of the Hallstatt World Heritage site through a large Baroque picture frame. The ‘5fingers’ are illuminated until midnight and can be seen from far and wide, even at night. On the way to the 5fingers you learn on information boards much about Fauna, Flora and the Geology at Dachstein Krippenstein.
Hotel Bräugasthof Discover the cosy relaxing atmosphere full of tradition and history in the Bräugasthof a place to rejuvenate. The hotel is open all year around and have charming romantic rooms with traditional Austrian furniture, balconies with a view to the Lake, a spectacular breakfast buffet, SAT-TV, Shower and WC. The first documented mention of the house was in 1472, where it is noted as being a salt manufacturing house. Those days the salt would be stored in the cellars in wooden salt containers and finally transported on flat wooden boats similar to those seen today on the lake. The cargo boats would transport the white gold from the Hallstatt mountain to the black sea along the Traun and the Danube. In 1504 Emperor Maximilian 1st known as the last Knight, gave the house the rights to brew and serve beer. The water guaranteed by the preparations an excellent, strong beer that would be served in large mugs. In 1917 all copper in the country was confiscated for the war along with all the brewery utensils and melted down and the three big brewing pots. Food would always be served along with the beer to the Salt miners which were the start of good things to come, the restaurant became popular to the summer guests and lead up to the great reputation it has today. 400 years after the rights had been granted the name was changed from the Market Brewery to the Bräugasthof or brewery and guest house. For the past 150 years the restaurant has remained in the hands of the Höplinger Lobisser family. Verena and Arnold senior have turned the hotel into a treasure trove and the restaurant is meanwhile been run by Verena Lobisser junior their daughter. One of the new amenities of Bräugasthof is room in one of the wooden houses near the hotel with the most beautiful view on Hallstatt lake.
Discovering Hallstatt by Interrail Founded in 1972, Interrail has since become a symbol of unlimited rail travel throughout Europe. Providing access to more than 250.000 km of interconnected railways, Interrail now offers its customers the opportunity to travel in 30 different countries with an even greater number of transport organisations. Over the last 40 years Interrail has established itself as a provider of a unique travel experience associated with adventure, freedom and flexibility. Interrail provides a gateway to the geographical, historical and cultural richness of Europe, giving both new and seasoned travellers the chance to immerse themselves in the different cultural fabrics that make Europe such an exciting place to explore. All of this is accomplished with just one Pass, which also offers additional benefits such as discounted ferry travel, attractions and accommodation. Interrail Passes are aimed at European and Russian residents and are available as a Global or One Country Pass. Non-European residents can use Eurail passes. After originally being aimed at young adventurers, the Interrail Pass has evolved into an accessible, and unique tourism product used by over 250,000 European travellers of all ages each year.
Offering unlimited travel in either first or second class across 30 different countries, the Global Pass provides an extensive amount of choice to any traveller. This Pass is perfect not only for people who want to travel around several countries, but also for those who have not yet defined their itinerary. From the awe-inspiring landscape of Scandinavia to the secluded beaches of Greece − with the Interrail Global Pass the possibilities are endless! The Interrail Global Pass is available as a ‘Continuous’ Pass or a ‘Flexi’ Pass. Continuous Passes offer unlimited travel for 15 days, 22 days or 1 month and are suitable for those, who wish to travel widely but with maximum flexibility.
Flexi Passes, on the other hand, offer unlimited travel for either 5 days within a 15 day period, or 7 or 10 days within a 1 month period and are ideal for travellers who already have a fixed itinerary. One Country Passes are ideal for travellers who are interested in exploring a specific European country. With an Interrail One Country Pass, up to two children aged 11 years and younger can travel for free with a paying adult. Available for either first or second class, there are currently 28 different One Country Passes available under the Interrail portfolio. The ‘Benelux Pass’ in particular entitles Pass holders to travel around Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.