Art depot in the “Mountain of Treasures”

During the Second World War works of art of inestimable worth were stored in these tunnels – including works by Michelangelo, Dürer, Rubens and Vermeer. An award-winning multimedia show impressively documents the courage and engagement of the miners who rescued these treasures in April 1945.

Kunstlager im »Berg der Schätze«

Mann im Salz

Key Historical Figures of Altaussee Mining

1147

First mention in documents of salt mining in Altaussee. The mining and pan operations are in the hands of Rein Monastery near Graz.

1211

Nationalisation: takeover of the mining- and boiling rights by the Babenberg Duke Leopold VI and transfer of the brine pans from Augstbach to Unterlupitsch.

About 1285

Renewed transfer of the pan operations to Bad Aussee of today.

1319

Opening of the Steinberg tunnel.

1334

Renewal and enlargement of the saltworks in Bad Aussee to an annual production volume of about 10,000 tons.

1334 – 1449

Hey day of the medieval Aussee saltworks directed by the private Hallinger Union.

1449

Re-nationalisation by Emperor Friedrich III.

About 1550

About 120 workers are employed in the mine.

17th – 19th century

The annual salt production remains at about 10,000 tons.

1906

Opening of the new brine pipeline through the Rettenbach Valley to Bad Ischl to supply the Ebense Solvay Works. Production volumes in the following years quadruple with an historic high of 238 employees.

1943 – 45

Storage of art treasures as protection against events of the war.

1949

Opening of the principal gallery.

From 1971

Brine-winning changed to the special blast-hole process.

2008

61 employees produce an annual brine volume of 1,506,000m³ with a salt content of 450,000 tons.