- © Röbl

The Salzkammergut region

Bathing Lakes around the World Heritage region

Along the Salzkammergutweg, the most famous Upper Austrian lakes and warm thermal springs of drinking water quality line up like beautiful pearls on a string, surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop. The Salzkammergut area comprises a number of beautiful lakes boasting water of premium quality: Attersee, Mondsee, Traunsee, Wolfgangsee, Altausseer See, to name but a few. The lakeshores have largely been left untouched and therefore offer a peaceful and unspoiled environment for sunbathing and relaxing. However, the Salzkammergut area offers many culinary and cultural highlights as well: Take Bad Ischl with its imperial splendor, for instance, or charming St. Gilgen, or the lovely towns of Wolfgangsee, Strobl and Gmunden. Activities in, on and by the lakes include all kinds of water sports, walking and hiking, Nordic walking, running and playing golf. With 4,150 kilometers of way-marked routes along lakes, alleys and educational trails and high up in the mountains, Salzkammergut is indeed a hiker’s paradise. In addition, there are several places of inspiration, called Glücksplätze, which even enhance the relaxation factor. Cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts area offered all kinds of routes and trails to suit their individual needs and ambitions.

History of the Salzkammergut region

Archaeological findings in the area date back to the Neolithic era, especially the stilt houses of the Mondsee group culture, who settled the region from about 3800 BC onwards. The Germanic name hall of several settlements refers to the region's numerous salt mine, which had been in use at least since the days of the Celtic Hallstatt culture, centered at the mining town of Hallstatt. These operation were continued by the Romans, after the area had been incorporated into the Noricum province in 15 BC. A Roman settlement and salt evaporation pond at Hallstatt is documented about 100, affected by several Germanic invasions after the Marcomannic Wars, until the province was finally evacuated at the behest of the Italian king Odoacer in 488.

From about 530, Bavarii tribes settled the region from the west, they met with Alpine Slavs who had moved northwards through the Enns Valley and across the Dachstein Mountains. From 900 salt trade is again documented along the Traun River, when the area was part of the Traungau region of the German stem duchy of Bavaria, held by the comital dynasty of the Otakars, who from 1056 also ruled over the neighbouring March of Styria. While most of the Traungau fell to the Babenberg duchy of Austria upon the deposition of the Bavarian duke Henry the Lion in 1180, the southeastern Ausseerland remained with the newly established Duchy of Styria, which nevertheless from 1192 was held in personal union by the Austrian Babenbergs.

In 1278 King Rudolph I of Germany, a scion of the Sawabian House of Habsburg, finally seized both duchies from King Ottokar II of Bohemia, whom he defeated in the Battle on the Marchfeld. Rudolph's son King Albert I of Germany defended his hegemony against the rivaling Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg in the west and in 1298 made the lands of Ischl a present to his wife Countess Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol. The Habsburg officials resided at Wildenstein Castle near Ischl and the surrounding estates were called Kammergut, as first documented in a 1656 deed. The salt mines were immediate domains of the Habsburg King of the Romans and mining part of his princely regalia. They were administrated by the financial aulic chamber at Vienna, represented by the salt chamber (Salzamt) in Gmunden. Emperor Maximilian I added to the territory the estates of Mondsee Abbey in 1506.

The most beautiful regions of the Salzkammergut

The Emperor City of Bad Ischl

Charming Mondseeland

Around Lake Wolfgang

Around Lake Traun

A Day trip to the Attergau region

The Ausseerland - Salzkammergut land of picture books

Explore the Fuschlsee region

© TV Fuschlsee

Around the Attersee

© OÖ Tourismus | Ausflugstipp für Ihren Urlaub im Salzkammergut: Attersee

Salzkammergut booking - Are you still looking for accommodation?

Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.

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