Hallstatt Things to Do

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The protestants did not have an easy life in the history of Hallstatt. They had no chance against the powers of Salzburg's archbishops and when they tried to rebel in the 17th century, their leaders were sentenced to death and their houses burnt down. In 1734, three hundred protestants from Hallstatt and surroundings were deported to Transsilvania.
It was only in 1781 that they were allowed to openly show their religion.

Christuskirche (Christ's Church) was built in 1861, shortly after the protestant religion had beend fully equated to the catholic one by Franz Joseph I. It is of new gothic style and of course it cannot be compared to the catholic church when it comes to luxury, but it still is worth a visit. It certainly is a distinctive mark of Hallstatt. It can be seen from nearly everywhere around town and influences the face of the village very much.

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You can see some interesting excavations and archaelogical in the "cellar" located under the sports equipment shop Juno. The site was discovered by accident when they wanted to construct a new cellar in 1987 and suddenly found a whole lot of things and walls, the earliest from 500BC (Iron Age). The "cellar" is now 300 square metres large and shows pottery, tools, tiles, walls, an old canal and many other items. The youngest finds are from a smithy that existed here in the 18th and 19th century, the oldest from the Iron Age. There is some Roman pottery and also Roman walls.

There is also a small museum about Hallstatt's history and about artists who worked in the area, showing some of their works and writings. Descriptions are in German and English.

Entry is free!

Open 9.00am til 6.pm from monday until friday, 9.00am til 1.00pm on saturdays.

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Just above Hallstatt there is a car park which is called "Parkplatz im Tunnel" (Carpark in the tunnel), although it is located right between the two tunnels and not IN them.

You should really have a short stop here, as it gives you a nice view of Hallstatt and the lake. You can see the protestant church and the roofs of the village. It is a great photo opprtunity and gives you an overview of the order and symmetry of Hallstatt.

There is also a small, pretty waterfall at the other side of the carpark!

At the end of the carpark, there is a stairway that leads you down to the village.

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The city gave its name to the early Iron Age after the important archeological discoveries had been made in this area.
The so-called salt culture was excavated in the Field of Graves and lots of findings dating back to the early Iron Age (800-400 B.C.) were made.
So the early Iron Age was called in honor of the town were the discoveries had been made.
The picture represents one of the discoveries that became one of the city symbols.

The city and the surrounding area became the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1997.
So I am proud to have visited that great place!

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The original Catholic Church was built in 1320 high on the rocks above Hallstatt. The present day Gothic style church was built to replace the original in the late 1400's. The altar is late Gothic and there are also murals which can be traced back to the 16th century. The painted altarpiece dates back to the mid 1400s.
The little cemetery at the Catholic Church is overcrowded and so after five years burial, the bodies of the dead are exhumed and the skulls are decorated and stored on display in the Charnel House near the church. I wonder what they do with the rest of the bones?

The salt mine of Hallstatt is among the oldest salt mines of the world. There is a rail ride that takes you up from the city of Hallstatt to the mine. And the view from up there is beautiful. You have the Hallstaetter See (Hallstatt Lake) in front of you, surrounded by the mountains.

A view that I'll never forget.

The mines are also very interesting. During the tour you will slide town on a wooden slide twice. The longer one has a speed measurement and after the tour you can buy your picture that has your sliding speed printed on it.

Hallstatt is featured in many different websites and books because of its breathtaking beauty mainly. There is so much to see in this little place and most of the sights are well documented many times over. I have trouble however, finding anything about the Salt Miner Statue. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place, who knows? In any event, this lovely statue stands in the area at the end of the Lake Street where the buses come in. He is quite large and I think, devilishly handsome. I had to take a pic, I couldn't resist.

Read more: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/d7596/1/4/?o=1&i=5#ixzz1I9iookvu

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The Halstattersee (Lake Hallstatt) is one of the most beautiful lakes that I have ever seen. It is a very busy lake and also has many an historical story to tell. By all accounts, many a Nazi soldier trying to evade capture after WWII was known to throw his medals into the Lake in the dead of night to destroy the evidence of his complicity in the Nazi horrors. The Lake is 100 meters deep in spots, so I would guess that the medals would never have been seen again.
Apart from the little cruise across the lake from the Train Station, there are a number of more thorough cruises available, information on which can be found at the Tourist Info Office in the town. If you don't have time for a cruise, you can enjoy the view of the lake from a number of lovely little restaurants along the shore. Here too you will see the beautiful swans who call Halstattersee home.