Hallstatt in winter. Hallstatt - a small fairy tale among the big mountains of Austria

I don’t remember where I first saw a photograph of this town. But I do remember my reaction. “It can’t be that this place exists in reality!” A smooth lake at the bottom of a gorgeous velvety green bowl of mountains. Graceful, neat houses, closely pressed against each other at the very edge of the water, flowing in watercolor into their reflections. Literally on their roofs, with their backs pressed against their neighbors and rocks, the next tiers of houses huddle together. The church rises proudly and firmly among them. And the thin triangular spire of the bell tower on a promontory protruding into the lake completes this perfect picture in all respects. The photograph gave the impression of a drawing. Illustrations for a Tyrolean fairy tale. In-oh-he is there on top of a cliff, probably, a local dragon lives in a cave, and at night mermaid songs flow over the heavy smooth water. I want to go there!

As a flat dweller, the luscious green Alps with snow-white mountain peaks, noisy rivers and waterfalls conquered me from the first meeting. Here they are in all their wondrous beauty. After a short search, the name of the town was also found. Or rather, villages. No more than a thousand inhabitants. Hallstatt. Hallstadt. Hallstatt. Postcard city. Door in fairy world.

For several years this door remained closed to us. Somehow our routes did not run nearby. And finally, while compiling the itinerary of this trip, I was able to add the coveted Hallstatt to it. Besides, it so happened that my good friend vakomin published in his journal a story about his visit to this place, which only fueled my interest.

As usual, I tried to find as much information about Hallstatt as possible. The town turned out to be small, but remote. For almost 7,000 years people have been living here and extracting salt. Hall - so called in Celtic "salt". Archaeologists have found traces of Celtic and Illyrian settlements here. So even the term "Halstatt culture" appeared. In addition, judging by the finds, it was once a fairly prosperous and wealthy city. And the Celts began to extract salt here, and it was mined until 1989.

Fun fact - some springs in the area are salty. Water seeps through the salt deposits and washes it away. So back in 1607, for the first time in the world, a salt pipeline (!) was created and successfully functioned here until 1979, through which salt water was supplied to the saltworks in Ebensee, where it was successfully evaporated. Now the mines are open to tourists, who are offered both educational and entertainment programs.

Lake Hallstattsee (Hallstätter See) is located at the foot of mountain range Dachstein. And the whole region, all cultural and natural landscapes are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. I was somewhat depressed when I realized that we were not in time to embrace both Dachstein and Hallstatt. But after some thought, I decided that it was good. Such beauty requires a leisurely, contemplative visit. Dachstein - his, and Hallstatt - his.

Some time ago, the town itself could only be reached on foot or by boat from the opposite Obertraun.

Now you can take a bus or car directly to Hallstatt, but you still won’t be able to enter it. This is only allowed to local residents and, it seems, guests of a couple of hotels. You can leave your car in one of the parking lots in front of the city. We chose P1 because it has a free shuttle to the city. We arrived at dusk, the parking employee was no longer there. I had to use the shuttle call button near the parking office. The call goes to the mobile driver, with whom the conversation is conducted through the intercom.

A few minutes after the call, a minibus rushed by, driven by a charming, energetic lady. She quickly brought us to the door of the hotel and sped away, wishing us a pleasant stay.

Our hotel is located in one of the fabulous houses on the shore. From the very first glance, even at the photo of Hallstatt, I was wondering what was inside these houses. I was completely convinced that there could be nothing ordinary and familiar there. No, I didn’t expect a dragon skin on the wall of the dining room, of course, but I was quite ready for something like that. And I will not lie if I say that my expectations were not deceived.

Both the room and the corridor and the staircase were full of wonderful things from the past, the floorboards creaked melodiously and the old clock ticked softly. And the view from the balcony was absolutely wonderful.

We spent quite a lot of time on this balcony, watching the play of colors of the passing day and meeting the approaching thick blue-black night.

Finally, it got completely dark. The city was quiet and empty in the yellow light of street lamps, so we hurried to our comfortable beds to get the best sleep we could before we got up early. I absolutely did not want to miss this alpine dawn, as it once happened on the Mondsee (which I sadly told about at the time).

It got dark in the morning. Having crept through the sleepy hotel, we walked along the deserted streets in complete solitude. Low clouds covered the slopes of the mountains, gliding over the water, looking into their reflections. The first rays of the sun were warm golden spots on the mountains, the lush foam of the clouds and the houses.

And where the sun had not yet reached, night lurked in a blue-gray cold haze.

Part of the clouds were painted now in pink, then in lilac tones. And this living transparent watercolor floated and flowed around us.

We rejoiced - neither the ubiquitous Chinese tourists, nor even the wind disturbed our intimate rendezvous with the dawn. Even though it was quite cold, we kept walking and walking. And, of course, they completely melted with emotion when they saw the ladder leading to the window, and the cat sitting on it in mournful thought. The reveler returned home, and they are still sleeping there. Now he is waiting for the window to be opened and let him go to a bowl and a warm couch.

And on the main square no-one! Beauty!

This tree, spread out on the wall of the house, is a pear tree. If you look closely, you will see reddish fruits on it. I was delighted with her, as with an old acquaintance - at one time vakomin I have already seen it and was amazed. Now, however, I also know what painstaking work it really is - growing and caring for such a wall garden. Yes, so that even with such fruitfulness!

In general, in Austria and Germany, you can often see flowers - usually roses - that climb the walls of houses and cover them with a chic flowering carpet. In Hallstatt, all the houses are buried in flowers - both ampelous and curly. Lushly blooming, fragrant, juicy, bright - they add fabulousness to the look of the town. Our hotel and the nearest houses are the clearest evidence of this. From whatever angle you shoot - beauty!

The rest are not far behind, however.

And meanwhile the clouds were rising and melting. The morning flared up, transforming the entire surrounding landscape.

We, like that cat on the ladder, chilled, took a walk and were just happy to return to the hotel, where a delicious breakfast was waiting for us in a warm dining room.

It was touching and funny to see my name on the board with the list of guests.

After breakfast, we traditionally checked out, left our luggage at the hotel and went for a walk. It's time to tell you about one famous local custom that has become a kind of spooky tourist attraction. The fact is that the town is tiny, sandwiched between rocks and water. There are not many places for the burial of the dead. Therefore, after burial in a tiny local cemetery, after 10 years, all the remains are removed, provided with signatures about their deceased owner and carefully stored in the ossuary, which is located in the basement of the chapel of St. Michael. If you are interested, you can be curious - here everything has the same vakomin there is also a photograph.We decided to bypass this place with attention, and spend time climbing the funicular and walking along the lake and the city.

Especially since it was Sunday, so we had the opportunity to gawk at the preparations for the Sunday service and a small local celebration.

Children are children everywhere. Noisy and constantly flying somewhere.

O! Sorry, sometimes not flying, but importantly pacing.

Hunter! Well, just like from a fairy tale! Only the dog at the foot is not enough.

The socks just blew me away. Different colors, but invariably intricate openwork knitting and with high tops. Golfs are whole, not socks.

Ashamed of our impudence, we still went to the pier, boarded a boat and swept across the lake. The ships are different. There are two walking routes, there is also something like a ferry - from railway station on the opposite shore. You can rent boats - motor and rowing. There is a choice for every taste and budget.

From the water on a bright sunny day, the town and the lake look fantastic! There are no ripples on the water, no waves either. Heavy, oily-shiny, smooth, green water surface fascinates.

During our boat trip, there were more tourists on the streets, the sun began to bake, and we hurried to the funicular. The orange trailer will take you to the platform from which you can go on foot to the salt mine on an excursion, along the way you can see fragments of the excavations and admire the gorgeous view of the lake. After Wieliczka, our interest in salt mines had not yet had time to wake up again, so we limited ourselves to a fragment of excavations of Celtic burials and an observation platform.

By the way, you can climb here on foot. There are three walking route. But it's high. Slap for a long time. Besides, I completely lose my will at the sight of funiculars. Some kind of irrational childish delight. It would seem that it’s crowded, you can’t shoot anything through the windows, and even go and try to get to those windows. And just a few minutes of fun. And here you go. I can't go anywhere!

You could hang around indefinitely. Follow the shadows from the clouds floating below. Be amazed at how deep green the water looks. To be touched by the tiny little men scurrying below and just dreamily glide your eyes along the snow-capped mountain peaks whitening in the distance. But the passage of time is relentless. It's time to hit the road.

We went downstairs again, returned to the hotel for things and went with them to the parking lot, throwing farewell glances at the streets noisily noisy with multilingual tourist discord, at amazing houses and their elegant inhabitants.

By the way, the Chinese liked Hallstatt so much that they cloned it. Recreated almost an exact copy. Interestingly, after that the flow of Chinese tourists to the Austrian Hallstatt not only did not dry up, but, on the contrary, increased. Seeing their Hallstatt clone, most are eager to see the original.

And yes! Now I have my own personal postcard. Bell tower, houses, lake, clouds and mountains around...

Hallstatt (Austria) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Hallstatt with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Hallstatt (Austria)

Hallstatt or Hallstatt is a small charming town (community) in Western Austria. It is located in a picturesque area on the western shore of the lake of the same name, surrounded by the Alps. Hallstatt is actually a tiny village lost among mountains and forests. These are beautiful gingerbread houses that are reflected in the purest water mountain lake, narrow streets, several small old churches and fantastic natural landscapes.

Hallstatt until the 19th century was practically not accessible to the general public. The village could only be reached by boat or along a narrow mountain path. Currently, a mountain road leads here, and this place has become one of business cards Austria. The community is a monument world heritage UNESCO.

Geography and climate

Hallstatt is located in the region of Upper Austria on the shores of Lake Hallstatt. The municipality is located between the southwest coast of the Holstatter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif in the geographical area of the Salzkammergut, on the national road connecting Salzburg and Graz.

The climate is temperate mountainous with fairly warm summers and cool winters. More than 1,000 mm of precipitation falls annually, most of which falls during the warm period. In winter, there are usually slight frosts. Fog is possible during cold weather.

Practical information

Story

The settlement on the site of modern Hallstatt existed in the Neolithic era. In the middle of the 19th century, archaeologists discovered a prehistoric cemetery with more than a thousand burials. Hallstatt is considered by many researchers to be one of the oldest settlements north of the Alps.

Since the 8th century BC, salt mines have been exploited here, which are the oldest of their kind in the world. Many Bronze Age artifacts have also been found here.

There is practically no information about the settlement in the era of ancient Rome and the early Middle Ages. The first mention of Hallstatt dates back to the 14th century. At the end of the 16th century, a salt pipeline was built up to the Ebensee. At the end of the 19th century, the first road was laid here.

How to get there

Getting to Hallstatt is quite difficult. From Salzburg and Vienna, you need to take a train to Attnang-Puchheim, then a train to Bad Ischl or Obertraun, get off at the Hallstatt station, which looks more like a stop in the forest, go to the lake and take the ferry. Tickets for the train back can be bought in a special machine. The nearest airports are located in Vienna and Salzburg. You can get to Hallstatt from Prague by reaching the town of Cesky Krumlov and then by bus. There are also direct buses from Salzburg to Bad Ischl.

Hallstatt can be reached along the picturesque mountain road by car. There are several car parks at the entrance to the village.

sights

Hallstatt is an attraction in itself. Fantastic a nice place with wonderful nature and pretty houses, which is a bit overcrowded with tourists.

The salt mine is one of the main attractions of the village. It is considered the oldest in the world and has been operating since the 15th century. The mine was active until the middle of the 20th century. Now it is more of a tourist attraction.

The museum is one of the most interesting places town. It was opened at the end of the 19th century. Includes displays from the Bronze Age.

Christ Church is a small Protestant church from the late 18th century. It is one of the symbols of Hallstatt. If you go further from the church, you can go to the observation deck. It is from here that all the most beautiful and famous photos of the town are taken.

In the southwestern part of the town is a charming little Market Square.

Church of the Assumption of Our Lady - Roman Catholic church with a Romanesque tower, three fine winged altars, late Gothic frescoes from around the 16th century.

The cable car can take you up to the Dachstein caves and the top of the mountain. The journey will take fifteen minutes.

You can also visit the Bone House with a collection of skulls.

Winter in Hallstatt

How to get to Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a small but very picturesque town in Austria, located on the shores of the lake of the same name and closed by rocks from the outside world. Tourists and travelers have chosen Hallstatt for its unusual sights, for example, here you can go down the funicular into the salt mines or, on the contrary, climb the mountains and see the Hallstatt lake in all its splendor. Until recently, Hallstatt was difficult to visit due to its location, but today tourists can get to Hallstatt both by public transport and by car.

Most often, Hallstatt is visited from Salzburg, because. the distance between cities is only 70 km. It is also possible to get to Hallstatt from Vienna (290 km), and from Munich (208 km), and from Innsbruck (250 km), but such a trip will take more time. Train Station Hallstatt is located on the opposite shore of the lake, so when you get to the station, you will also need to transfer to the ferry to be in Hallstatt itself (the crossing takes, on average, no more than 5 minutes, the fare is 2.5 euros one way). Ferry timetables can be found at website Hallstattschifffahrt.at (in German or English).

If you arrived in Hallstatt by car, then you should keep in mind that parking lots are located right in the tunnels at the entrance to Hallstatt due to the limited space in the town itself. From the tunnels, travelers take special elevators and go to the footpaths. Hallstatt is a small town and it is worth exploring it exclusively on foot.

Max Dawncat/Halstatt

How to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt

Despite the fact that Salzburg is located only 70 km from Hallstatt, if you decide to use public transport, you will have to make a change along the way. There may be several options. The first is to get to Hallstatt by train with a change in the town of Attnang-Puchheim. In this case, the travel time will take a little more than 2 hours (the transfer itself is short - no more than 5-7 minutes). The second option is to get from Salzburg by bus to resort town Bad Ischl (bus number 150) and then take the train to Hallstatt. Here, the journey will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Check schedule public transport on the Salzburg-Halstatt route, you canon the site .

If you plan to get to Hallstatt by car, then the shortest way from Salzburg is the highway number B158. The route passes through resort town Bad Ischl. Travel time by car will take a little over an hour. You can rent a car for trips around Austria at Salzburg Airport, as well as at rental offices in the city center. You can also book a car in advance at specialized services. , and others. To rent a car, you will need a passport, international driving license and bank card to pay for services.

Reisender1701/Hallstatt, top view

Hotels in Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt - beautiful place to stay in Austria surrounded by beautiful nature. True, it must be borne in mind that the town is quite small, which means that there are few accommodation places here. Basically, these are apartments or holiday homes, there are only a few hotels, and the prices for accommodation here are sometimes too high. If you are looking for a budget option for accommodation, then you should consider the offers of the town of Obertraun, which is located on the opposite bank of the lake, where trains arrive at the railway station.

A popular holiday home in Hallstatt itself W&S Executive Apartments Hallstatt II, apartments W&S Executive Apartments Hallstatt I, hotel Seehotel Gruner Baum 4*, apartments Apartment Wallner other. There are more budget accommodation options in Obertraun, for example, apartments are in stable demand among tourists Apartmenthaus Simmer or Haus Alpenrose, hotels Haus am See or Apartment House Seeroseother. Most accommodations in Hallstatt and Obertraun have direct access to the lake.

You can also view the available accommodation options in Hallstatt and Obertraun for the dates you are interested in on specialized services, where you can also book the option you like in advance. These services include, in particular, Booking, Hotellook other.

Reisender1701/Views of Hallstatt

Attractions Hallstatt

The main sights of Hallstatt, in addition to the colored houses and narrow streets of the town itself, are picturesque nature and unique alpine landscapes. Hallstatt has several tourist entertainment, which are mandatory to visit if you still got to this remote, but such beautiful town. Firstly, it is a funicular descent to a salt cave, and secondly, an ascent to cable car to the observation deck "5 fingers" in the Dachstein mountains, thirdly, these are hiking around the Hallstatt Lake, which is very picturesquely "fitted" into the overall Alpine concept of the place.

Salt cave in Hallstatt is an unforgettable adventure, because salt has been mined in the mines of the town since time immemorial. You can go down into the illuminated mines and view the existing expositions on a special underground funicular, which in itself is an exciting adventure. The mines are available for inspection from March to November, from 09.30 am daily. Audio guides available, incl. and in Russian. The entrance ticket costs 30 euros for an adult and 15 euros for a child (children over 4 years old are allowed). The salt cave is located at Salzbergstrasse 21, a 15-minute walk from the ferry pier.

Reisender1701/Hallstatt houses

Observation deck "5 fingers" in the Dachstein mountains is an absolutely amazing experience, as the climb will allow you to see the beauty of the alpine nature from a bird's eye view, as well as visit the ancient caves, some of which are completely icy and represent an unforgettable sight. You can climb the mountain by a special cable car, in fact, these are ultra-modern and equipped observation cabins that move you to a height of 2000 meters.

Two are open at the top. viewing platforms – "Spiral" and "5 fingers". The second is famous for having five platforms pushed forward, which creates a very special impression for everyone who happened to be here. Definitely worth a visit and ice caves, representing incredible beauty labyrinths with ice sculptures inside. For inspection, the site is open from the end of April to the end of October every day. The entrance fee is 30 euros for an adult and 16.5 euros for children (there are family and group rates). Please note that the ascent to the Dachstein mountain is carried out from the town of Obertraun, which is on the opposite side of the lake from Hallstatt.

Reisender1701/Observation deck in Hallstatt

In general, the picturesqueness of Hallstatt is difficult to overestimate. The most beautiful and cleanest alpine lake, impregnable mountains, caves, salt mines, bright alpine houses and graceful chapels - all this forms the basis of Hallstatt's attractions and creates a unique atmosphere of the place. Hallstatt is perfect for both a day trip from the nearest major cities, as well as a place for a good outdoor recreation for several days or even weeks. Around Hallstatt there are many hiking trails, which will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the local Alpine landscapes.

Reisender1701/Lake Hallstatt

We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!

On a note :

Going on a trip to Austria, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of applying for a tourist visa. You can take out insurance on your own without leaving your home. For this, there are special services, such as , other. You can buy a policy online and then print it on a regular printer.

Photo at the beginning of the article: ErWin

If you are tired of noisy resorts and want to enjoy peace and contemplation of the true natural beauty, then you need to visit the fabulous Austrian town of Hallstatt. Austria is famous for its small, fairy-tale-like towns, with neat bright houses, quiet green streets and a measured lifestyle. However, even against their background, Hallstatt is able to charm and win the hearts of seasoned travelers.

Hallstatt (Austria): description of the city

In the Salzkammergut region (Upper Austria), on the banks of the river, surrounded by the Dachstein mountain range, the tiny town of Hallstatt is located. The unique natural landscapes are appreciated: in 1997 the town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hallstatt is a tiny, inaccessible community nestled in the Austrian Alps, wedged between steep cliffs and a lake of the same name. Hallstatt (Austria) is considered the oldest European settlement. And although there are no major highways nearby, thousands of tourists come here every year from all over the world.

Sights of the town

Many of our compatriots have already visited Hallstatt today. Austria, whose sights are well known all over the world, has acquired a new sound for many in this inaccessible town. There are many interesting places, historical and architectural monuments, but most of all tourists are struck by the unusual atmosphere of tranquility and even isolation from civilization that reigns here.

Bright, like toy houses, sheltered in several tiers on the mountainside, azure lake with floating swans, which are reflected in the mirror-like water surface and fluffy snow-white clouds, create a feeling of unreality of the picture, in itself there is a feeling of protection from any life's adversity, peace and comfort. Here it is, the fabulous and beautiful town of Hallstatt in Austria. How to get here? We will definitely answer this question, but a little later, but for now we offer a “walk” in its interesting places.

lutheran church

Tourists from all over the world seek to see Hallstatt. Austria is able to impress with its magnificent nature and numerous monuments, but this lost in the mountains locality- this is something that is beyond our understanding of tourism and recreation.

The town, which is home to about a thousand people, consists of two streets, and only one of them allows you to travel by car. Going on a walk around the city, you will definitely see a beautiful Lutheran church with a high spire, which is located on the very shore of the lake. It was built in the middle of the 19th century in the Romanesque style. From here you have a stunning view of the surroundings of the town.

The church houses unique works of world culture: an ancient altar, which consists of three parts. Opening its doors, you can see images of scenes of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the worship of the Magi.

Rudolfsturm Tower

One of the attractions of the town of Hallstatt in Austria, the photo of which you can see in this article, is the Rudolfsturm tower. It was built by King Albert I at the end of the 13th century and served to protect miners and their families from enemy attacks, especially during the “salt war” between Archbishop Conrad IV of Salzburg and Albert I.

Inside the tower and today you can see the remains of ancient interiors. Today, the tower houses a restaurant where you can relax and have a bite to eat before visiting the underground salt mines.

ancient mines

Hallstatt (Austria), whose photo can be seen in all travel brochures for Austria, is famous for its oldest salt mines in the world. They are located above the town and you can get here by walking along one of the two paths, or using the funicular.

The first path starts at the Tourist Information Centre. It's pretty steep stairs, which very soon turns into a complex serpentine. It runs along a pipeline that supplies the processing plant on the Ebensee with brine. It will take you no more than forty minutes to climb this path.

The second path, starting at the cemetery, is more suitable for climbing, besides, it offers a magnificent view of the surroundings. Going on an excursion to the mine, you will receive a special overall, as it is quite cool inside (about 0 ° C). During the tour you will be able to go down the special chutes twice. This is how miners got into the mine in the old days.

Ossuary

Tourists visiting Hallstatt in Austria have mixed feelings about the strange local tradition. Its essence lies in the fact that the dead, whom the inhabitants of the town bury like all people, are removed from the earth after ten years and left the remains in the open sun for several weeks. They acquire a characteristic ivory color. After that, they are sent to a special ossuary for storage.

This vault is located at the church of St. Michael. Like the church itself, the crypt has been preserved since the 12th century. Today there are more than 1200 skulls and several thousand bones of the townspeople who left this world. Such a strange and even creepy tradition, which exists today in the very center of Europe, is not associated with some occult rituals. Everything is explained much more prosaically - in the city there is a catastrophic lack of free space for burials. The narrow terrace does not allow to expand the cemetery.

On many of the turtles, you can see the dates of death and painted flowers. The next deceased is buried in the vacated grave.

Dachstein caves

In ancient times, the territory on which the Dachstein mountains are located was riddled with a huge number of streams and rivers, which later went underground and left many picturesque caves and voids. According to tourists, the most beautiful of them is the Rieseneishohle cave.

As soon as you get into its warmest, first part (+3 °C), you will immediately find yourself in a hall of stalactites, which are considered a huge rarity for alpine caves. Behind this hall is the so-called King Arthur Cathedral. In it, the water has created a huge arch, a bit reminiscent of a church one. The temperature here does not rise above +1 °C.

Then comes the Cathedral of Parsifal, followed by the freezing caves. Blocks of ice are formed in them, more than eight meters high. The researchers managed to find out that some of them have been here for more than five centuries. After the Cathedral of Tristan, you can climb the stairs to the amazing ice chapel, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful creations of nature.

Hallstatt Hotels

Naturally, in such a picturesque place as Hallstatt in Austria, hotels are overcrowded during the season. Due to the increased demand for overnight accommodation, almost all homeowners are trying to create their own bed and breakfast establishment. If you don't manage to stay in Hallstatt during your trip, don't despair - there will always be a hotel in Hallstatter See, located on the opposite bank. In addition, accommodation here is much cheaper. But we want to introduce you to several hotels that are located in Hallstatt.

Phoenix Hall

It is located in Hallstatt, two hundred meters from the lake and very close to the city center. The hotel's rooms are originally decorated in a modern country style. The windows and open terraces offer stunning views of the mountains.

Each room has an LCD TV, a coffee machine and a very comfortable and spacious bathroom.

Zum Muhlbach

This hotel is located in the heart of the town, very close to the Salzbergbahn cable car and a swimming lake. Rooms with terraces are furnished with necessary furniture and household appliances. The only downside are the shared bathrooms.

Breakfast can be served upon request. Guests are offered homemade cakes and national dishes. The hotel has a bar. Popular on-site activities include cycling and hiking and skiing in winter.

Apartment Wallner

The apartments offer accommodation with a seating and dining area. There is a kitchen with an oven, dishwasher, coffee machine, microwave.

Each room has a bathroom with all the necessary cosmetic and hygiene items. Towels and bedding are provided.

Hallstatt in Austria: how to get from Vienna?

Austria has many interesting tourist routes, but Hallstatt is unique. That is why every year everyone strives to get here. more tourists from all over the world. Fortunately, the times are gone when visiting this extraordinary city was associated with great difficulties.

Today Hallstatt can be reached by a magnificent highway for which Austria is famous, or take advantage of by rail. The easiest way to start a trip to Hallstatt is from Salzburg. Trains and regular buses run from here to the town. In just two hours, tourists, amazed by the road through a tunnel in the mountains, find themselves in the center of the town.

We have no doubt that all travelers traveling by Moscow-Vienna flight to Hallstatt (Austria) are interested in how to get from Vienna by train to the ancient town. Today tourists can depart from the Austrian capital fast train. The journey will take about four hours.

True, you will have to transfer to a bus near the lake of the same name, which will take you to Hallstatt completely free of charge.

It is believed that in Hallstatt there are the oldest not only in Europe, but also in the world, salt mines. Salt has been mined in these places for more than three thousand years.
The dissolved salt is transported to the Ebensee refinery via the world's oldest pipeline, built in 1595, 40 km long.
For the first time, information about the town was preserved in chronicles dated 1311.
In the province of Guangdong (China), a local magnate built an absolutely exact copy of this Austrian town. It cost him a rather impressive amount - about nine hundred and forty million dollars.

So far no comments

For some reason, the dry facts and figures that usually characterize a particular locality cannot be applied to describe a small town lost in the mountains of Austria, which is called Hallstatt (hallstatt) and rightfully leads the best attractions in Austria.

The landscape that surrounds it earthly miracle, in another way to call this town simply does not turn your tongue, is a unique combination of the Dachstein mountains, the Hallstatt river and Lake Hallstattersee. After the first glance at this harmony and magnificence, it becomes clear why this region was included in the World Heritage List in 1997. UNESCO.

Whether you choose summer tours or holidays for the new year, you will still have something to do and see here, but first things first. The name of the city comes from the word hall, which in ancient Celtic means salt. It was salt that was a real storehouse for the inhabitants of the town, since its reserves are so large that to this day “white gold” brings profit to Hallstatt, even in the form excursion tours through the salt mines, deep in the mountains.

Sightseeing in Austria: Hallstatt

In Hallstatt, of course, it is best to rest for 10 days, but if there is no time at all, then you can combine the trip with a visit to Salzburg, the distance between cities is about 100 km, but you will fully cover the sights of Austria. The first thing that strikes tourists who have arrived is the location of houses and houses that literally hang over each other and locals they can calmly, as if on a ladder, move from one house to another, walking along the tiers.

The lack of space in this charming town does not end with architectural delights, but goes where do you think? right in the cemetery! Due to the lack of territory, enterprising residents bury their countrymen in the cemetery for only 10 years. After this period, the remains of the dead are dug up, then the bones acquire a beautiful white hue, lying in the sun, and in the end they are transferred to the Bean House Ossuary for permanent storage. On the skull of the deceased, his name, dates of birth and death, as well as a very attractive floral pattern in the form of a wreath, are applied.

In addition to this exotic, in the city and its environs, there are a large number of attractions in Austria: the Church of St. Michael, market Square Marktplatz, the Rudolfsturm tower and most importantly - stunning ice caves Rieseneishohle, replete with stalactites, miraculous arches, cathedrals and even an ice chapel, which was formed only thanks to the ingenuity of nature, its incomparable architectural taste and creativity.

Sightseeing in Austria: Hallstatt

Hallstatt - the Austrian city of a fairy tale