"Glück Auf!" - Welcome to the Salt Mines! Fascinating Salt Worlds

Venerated as a "gift of the gods", traded like gold: This natural resource shaped the history of Austria in general, and the areas surrounding the city of Salzburg in particular. Cities such as Salzburg, Hallein and Hallstatt, as well as regions like the Salzkammergut owe their names, but also their prosperity, to salt. Even all the way back in Celtic times, it began playing an important role in the nature and culture of mankind, while in the Middle Ages it was the most important trading commodity there was. The significance of this historic mineral is also reflected in the fact that Salinen Austria AG boasts the longest uninterrupted corporate history in all of Europe. No wonder, then, that salt also became known as "white gold".

The best of three worlds of salt

We are actually home to three different worlds of salt, two of which are the oldest of their kind: The Hallein Salt Mine near Salzburg was the first mine ever to open its tunnels to visitors, the Hallstatt Salt Mine in the Salzkammergut is the oldest salt mine in the world. And inside the Altaussee Mine in Ausseerland, you will experience something truly special: the tunnel which has been cut into the mountain leads through pure rock salt. The salt mine in Altaussee is also the oldest active salt mine in Austria today. You will quickly see: Each of the three mines has its own history and each its own specialty. But they all have one thing in common: They successfully create a playful link between history, culture and adventure, promising an unforgettable experience for big and small alike.