Detailed: History of Hallstatt
7,000 years of history above the rooftops of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
As we all know, Hallstatt is a very special place: the exceptional location, the picturesque beauty, the mountains, the lake, the status as a UNESCO natural and cultural heritage site ... But what distinguishes this patch of earth more than anything else is the fact that people lived in this place as early as 7,000 years ago. And why? Quite simply: because there was salt here! So you could say that the "white gold" is actually responsible for the fact that people settled in the high valley as early as 5,000 years BC, that an entire historical epoch was named after this place and that people from all over the world still come here today to dive deep into the mountain in the footsteps of thousands of years of history.
Exciting stories and ancient history
Salt was the raw material that shaped the town of Hallstatt. Lack of space forced the inhabitants to make good use of every square metre of the land, and this is how the step-like arrangement of the houses was created, which makes up the world-famous sight of the World Heritage Site. In 1745, the town centre was completely destroyed by fire. The rebuilt houses from this time are still preserved in the centre of the village today. Join us on an exciting journey through the eventful history of Hallstatt in Austria. From early salt mining to prominent holiday guests to the conquest of the majestic Dachstein. There is a lot to tell – take your time and come with us on an exciting excursion through history.
The Hallstatt Stories -
as exciting as a crime novel - read now
Formation of salt deposits
Around 240 million years ago, you didn't have to go to Bibione or Porec for a seaside holiday, you could have gone to Hallstatt. But how did the "coastal town" become a place of salt production? Come with us on a journey back in time.
Prehistory
The first Austrians to enter history did so with such force that they gave their name to an entire cultural epoch of mankind. Read on to find out how this happened and what it means for the course of history.
How salt was mined
How was salt mined in the narrow tunnels? What was the hard life of the miners like? And how did the "white gold" reach the whole of Europe via the waterways? A sophisticated system ensured borderless trade for centuries. Find out how the people of their time achieved this in this exciting story.
Women working as rock salt carriers
Imagine having to carry loads of heavy salt rocks down the mountain on your back. And twice a day. Unimaginable - isn't it? But that was the job of those women, the so-called "rock salt carriers". Even if they were pregnant. Here you can find out more about the hard life of women in Hallstatt at that time.
Masters of the Gothic
Gothic works can be found in many places in Hallstatt. For example, in the Catholic parish church. The winged altar, for example, dates from this period. But there is much more to see from this time. Come with us on an interesting and educational tour.
Baroque treasures of Hallstatt
Hallstatt's baroque is its larch-covered churches and chapels, nativity scenes, wrought-iron windowsills, signs and tombstones. But how did these buildings come about and who created them? Join us on the trail of history.
The brine pipeline - a masterpiece
The oldest pipeline in the world. An engineering masterpiece of its time. Built over 500 years ago and still in use today. But why did they build it back then? 30 kilometres long, from Hallstatt to Ebensee. Impassable lengths over rivers and streams. The answer can be found in this article.
The people of Hallstatt and their guests
Artists from all over the world have also been guests in Hallstadt again and again. Among them are the British writer Agatha Christie and the actress Marlene Dietrich. You can find out who else has visited Hallstadt in this article
The Hallstätter - Between Tradition and Modernity
The people of Hallstatt live between mountains and lakes. And they are very conscious of tradition. The customs are almost part of daily life. We have summarised what else is close to the heart of the Hallstatt resident for you in the following article.
Photo Motif: Hallstatt
Today, it is influencers and thousands of visitors who share the view of Hallstatt with the world in their selfies every year. But back in the 19th century, a host of artists had already discovered the small lakeside town as an extremely rewarding subject. From Waldmüller to Holzmeister. Join us on a search for inspiration.
The Dachstein - King of the Salzkammergut
This is the king of the Northern Limestone Alps.
A real eye-catcher: the Dachstein. Surrounded by myths and legends. A search for traces from the first conquerors to today's mountain tourism. Fascinating and excitingly told. The mountain is calling, can you hear it?
Hallstatt booking - Experience history live - book accommodation now
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.