Hallstatt – the Oldest Salt Mine in World

From Salzburg, we made a day’s trip to Hallstatt Salt mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was not very clear weather; clouds floated quite low, not very threatening yet cool. Stepping out into the parking lot, the first view was hazy, the mountain outline was not very clear, the breeze felt as if it carried minute droplets along. In short it was pleasant.

Hallstatt Mines Austria

Funicular Track

Funicular Track

The sight of funicular track going up the mountain, a museum up there attracts tourists in thousands.
After a ride up the mountain in a funicular, we reached the mine which is now converted to a museum. We crossed an open grave site, with numerous displays. Inside the miner’s hostel were various pictures of miners of last century, the tour begins from here. Chambers after chambers, some dark, some well lit, we were treated to a small movie too on the miners’ lives there.

Guide at Mine

Tunnel in hallstatt mine
One section was reconstructed image of Bronze Age hut. It gives a clear idea of what the conditions of life were like in the high valley in ancient times. The few wooden items are proof of their great skill in handicraft. Inside there were mega slides transporting us from one level of the mine to another, taking us deep below in the mines.

Bronze Age Hut in Hallstatt Salt Mine

Bronze Age Hut in Hallstatt Salt Mine

There was this human size statue of Sepp the miner, who told the story of Man in salt; In 1734, the corpse of a prehistoric miner was found embedded into miner’s rocks, well preserved by the salt, but squeezed flat by the pressure of mountain.

Hallstatt Salt Mine

Salt Miner – Hallstatt Salt Mine

The whole experience was an excellent one with children enjoying the most. The tour is indeed planned well and definitely worth its cost.

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