Hallstatt-Dachstein Facts: Things To Know About This Place

The Dachstein-Salzkammergut region includes the settlements of Bad Goisern, Gosau, Hallstatt, and Obertraun, which are situated between the Wolfgangsee, Ebensee, Traunsee, and Hallstättersee lakes.

Because of its attractive bathing lakes and pristine cliff landscape, the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut is popular with both relaxation-minded and active guests. The World Heritage region's archaeological core, Hallstatt, is host to the world's earliest salt mines.

Travelers worldwide go to the ancient village center, where they enjoy strolling along the Lake Hallstatt route. One of Hallstatt's many distinguishing features is the dwellings that nestle as swallows' nests between the mountain slopes and the lake. Then there's the upper valley with its salt mines, breathtaking views, and cultural sites that explain the community's centuries of history.

Discovery And History

The alpine landscape of Hallstatt-Dachstein, which is a portion of the Salzkammergut and of the Eastern Alps, is dramatic, with massive mountains ascending suddenly from narrow valleys.

On the Hallstatt Salzberg, there is evidence of salt mining dating back to 2000 B.C. Its economy has been founded on salt mining since the Middle Ages, with the city of Hallstatt, whose name means salt village, attesting to its primary purpose. From the beginning, humans seeking critical salt were drawn to the region near Lake Hallstatt. The salt trade brought great wealth, and the burial artifacts show significant and widespread trading links.

In Roman times, salt mining was still practiced and was resurrected in the fourteenth century. The massive upland woods, which had been actively controlled and monitored through the Austrian Crown since the 16th century, provided the vast quantities of timber required for the mines and evaporation of the salt. Following a fire in 1750 that devastated the wood buildings, the city of Hallstatt was reconstructed in the late Baroque era.

The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave is in the Dachstein Mountains, an Austrian Alps mountain range, near Obertraun. While it's impossible to say for sure when the ice cave was initially found, one tradition claims that a native discovered it in 1897 while looking for his missing livestock. The ice cave was further explored in 1910, while Austrian cave researchers Hanna and Hermann Bock, as well as Georg Lahner, became the first to travel far inside the cave.

After this investigation, the Dachstein Ice Cave became accessible for tourism for a few decades. The Dachstein Massive Ice Cave is a geological site and component of the Hallstatt- Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attraction

Mountain climbers and skiers are drawn to the Alpine scenery, complemented by the limestone and ice caves of the Dachsteineishöhle as well as Koppenbrüllerhöhle. A trip to the ice cave would undoubtedly alter your viewpoint!

In the bowels of Dachstein Mountain, a magnificent underground environment of rock and ice evolved throughout time. The Ice Cave is well worth a visit, with a 50-minute tour. If you have a couple of days in Hallstatt, a journey to the Dachstein massif is necessary.

To reach the Dachstein Ice Cave, use the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car to the Schönbergalm middle stop halfway up the hill. The ice cave is one more 15-20 minute steep trek from there. From May through October end, the cable car runs every day. The cable car travels in three sections and reaches the Dachstein mountain range. The Mammut Cave and Ice Cave are located at the top station of the first segment. The Giant Ice Cave could be explored in addition to walking, paragliding, and observing.

Visitors from all over the globe are fascinated by a beautiful overnight lodge in a cabin in the Dachstein Salzkammergut holiday region destination. Tourists can also explore the World Heritage Museum, the Charnel House, the gorgeous Catholic church, go winter trekking in Hallstatt Lake, and tour the Altaussee Salt Mine to learn about the history of the place.

Dachstein Mountain is the leading expedition spot in the region, with its strange ice caves, numerous hiking trails, and the Five Fingers observation point. The Schönbergalm nature reserve is a landmark for families, not only because it the only way to the Cave Museum, but as well it is a place to start for trips to the Mammut Cave and the Dachstein Ice Cave.

Conservation

Hallstatt is the heart of the Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, which was designated by UNESCO as one of Austria's World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Both provincial and federal protective measures are in place due to differing needs. These include individual items, caves, larger areas, and cultivated areas, as well as ensembles and monuments, freshly constructed buildings, forests, groundwater and water, and general features of nature.

The communes and the landowners are in charge of day-to-day operations. This strategy is based on recommendations from provincial experts and the Government Office for Monument Protection. The modest village of Dachstein Salzkammergut, nestled amid the lake landscape and mountain of the holiday region Dachstein Salzkammergut, mesmerizes with its unique cultural beauty.

Site Statistics

It's one of Austria's most well-known ski resorts, and the snow sports here are legendary. Throughout the year, the location is famous for a variety of exciting outdoor activities.

Hallstatt, a cluster of pastel-colored cottages set between the glistening waters of Lake Hallstatt, as well as the majestic Alpine peaks, surpasses all aspirations for its beauty. The Salzkammergut is an Austrian area east of Salzburg. The title signifies 'Estate of the Salt Chamber.' There are 52 municipalities in this area.

Since such a small town doesn't hold much cemetery space, the church started digging up bodies in the 1700s to create room for new ones. The massive cave was a stunning combination of ice with stone, all of which was wonderfully illuminated by colored lights.

The greatest way to see the town's architecture and boathouses are from the lake, whether on a boat trip or by the ferry towards the railway station on the other side of the lake. This is often the first thing guests want to do when they visit the old town. The village had a populace of 780 people in 2020, with estimations of 10,000 to 30,000 visitors per day.

The economy of Hallstatt is based on tourism, yet locals claim that day travelers drive away longer-staying sightseers. Hallstatt became the poster child for Austrian over-tourism, sparking debate over reducing visitor numbers. In 2020, the town will focus on 'high-quality' tourism. To deal with the problem, tour buses will be allotted time slots starting in the fall of 2020. The number of arrivals per day will be restricted to 54, which is roughly half of the present figure.

FAQs

Why is Hallstatt a World Heritage Site?

Its history has been intertwined with the contemporary history of salt production since the beginning. All elements of life, as well as architectural and artistic tangible evidence, have always been influenced by salt mining. Salt manufacture on a large scale may be dated back to the Middle Bronze Age in Hallstatt.

What was found at Hallstatt in Austria?

Three workers were stunned when they found a man's body inside the Hallstatt salt mine in 1734. It was revealed to be a prehistoric miner's well-preserved corpse. The body had been preserved so thoroughly by the salt, that the clothes, as well as the hair and skin, were still recognizable.

What is Hallstatt, Austria known for?

Hallstatt is noted for its prehistoric salt manufacture, which gave rise to the Hallstatt society, an archaeological civilization associated with Proto-Celtic and ancient Celtic people in Europe during the Early Iron Age.

What mountains are in Hallstatt Austria?

They are named after the Salzkammergut ancient region, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape.

Is there skiing in Hallstatt Austria?

There are three ski areas, the most notable of which is the Dachstein-West ski region. Between all three, there are roughly 124 mi (199.5 km) of finely groomed pistes. Both professional skiers, as well as families with children, can participate in a range of activities.

What language is spoken in Hallstatt, Austria?

Austria's official language is German and nearly all of the country's citizens speak it. Because most Austrians speak English, it is possible to get by without knowing German.

How expensive is Hallstatt, Austria?

A seven-day vacation to Hallstatt costs an average of $1,761 for a single traveler, $5,929 for a family of four, and $3,163 for a couple.

When did Hallstatt Dachstein become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Hallstatt Dachstein was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.