Hallstatt, Austria: attractions, reviews

Surprisingly, this small town, lost in the mountains, is considered the most picturesque in Austria. And it was not for nothing that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a fabulous place with a population of not more than a thousand people, has preserved a historical heritage that causes a few travelers the feeling of appeasement. Why are few? Yes, because to the picturesque corner, located on the shore of a crystal clear lake, it is difficult and long to reach, so the tourist flow is still relatively small. But it is due to the inaccessibility of the village and the long absence of connections with the outside world that it has preserved its naturalness and originality.

Fairy Town

Ancient Hallstatt (Hallstatt, Austria) is full of ancient legends and legends, and it seems to all visitors that they touched the spirit of Europe, which is hovering in a miniature town. The area here is truly magical: the buildings resemble doll houses from Disney cartoons, and the Hallstatters honor established norms and customs that pass from generation to generation. All visitors are impressed by the unusual appearance of residents walking along the streets in traditional national costumes. The local population is very fond of the native city, in which it is impossible to get lost.

History of Salt Mine

Hallstatt (Austria), cut off from civilization by mountains and a lake, has a rich history. It is interesting that in his honor the Hallstatt culture of ancient tribes of the Iron Age period was named. About three thousand years ago in the mountains discovered huge salt deposits, which are connected with the history of a hiding place behind the mighty rocks. In the XVII century, local residents erected an industrial pipeline for the rapid movement of a mineral, called the invisible treasure of the city, to the village of Ebensee.

The oldest mines in the world

Now intensive salt mining is stopped, and the remaining oldest mines in the world, located above the paradise corner, become unique sights of the city. About their amazing history will not fail to tell the guide. In the XVIII century, there were found the remains of a miner who worked at least three hundred years ago. They were perfectly preserved and became a real urban sensation. It is believed that a large content of salts prevents the natural decomposition of the body.

A century later, researchers who studied the mines, accidentally stumbled upon the burial of the Iron Age. Archaeological finds have allowed scientists to understand the peculiarities of the life of ancient people. By the way, excavations are being carried out now, because this area is of great scientific interest, and the numerous artifacts found are sent to the historical museums of Austria.

A memorable excursion to the Underworld

On the Salt Mines, which are easiest to reach by funicular, there is an observation deck for visitors, erected in former times as a watchtower. Those who are afraid of heights, it is better not to look down, and the rest is captivated by a fantastically beautiful picture of scattered little houses clinging to each other, overlooking a transparent lake. Hallstatt from a bird's-eye view is divinely good and resembles a small town with an old postcard.

Before visiting the mine, tourists are given warm clothes, because the temperature there does not exceed zero degrees, and the bravest risk to roll down the wooden trench to the maximum depth to imbue with the heavy workings of salt miners. This rapid descent turns into a real merry action: the adults are eagerly waiting for their turn to ride with the breeze to the lower levels of the mines. And after the end of the tour, you can buy photos, which show immense emotions that have overwhelmed you during the flight along the gutter, indicating the speed of movement along it. Also for memory, a small jar with local salt is given out.

The smallest city in the world

Throughout its history, the city of Hallstatt has been cut off from the world, and to get to a place breathing peace, it was necessary to use a boat, getting on the lake, or long to walk along a narrow path. And only in the XIX century there were first roads that made life easier for the local population and allowed to establish tourist routes, due to which the town is comfortable.

The amazing Hallstatt (Austria), which can be bypassed in half an hour, is so small that it has only two streets, one of them so narrow that it can not drive a car. Here everything is subject to strict economy of the place, because the town, clamped by rocks and a lake, has no opportunity to grow and develop, so toy houses, huddling together, are built in several tiers. And the inhabitants of this corner of the Earth can move from one building to another, stepping on levels, as if on a ladder.

Parish cemetery and bones

On the local cemetery should talk separately: it is associated with a curious tradition, first shocking all Europeans. Since the land in Hallstatt is really very small, the problem of burial places arose very long before the living, because the lack of space did not allow expanding the borders of the churchyard. In this regard, the local people, ten years after death, retrieve the remains of people and carefully dry them before placing them in a special basement bone. And the liberated graves are filled with bodies again.

The crypt, which contains more than a thousand skulls of the inhabitants of the town and a huge number of bones, is located at the chapel of the local Lutheran church, which, due to lack of land, hung over the roofs of the houses of the first tier. It is the ossuary that becomes the object of special interest of curious tourists, who are surprised by the strange for many tradition to exhibit on public display mortal human remains. By the way, the turtles bear names, dates of life and death, and many even painted with floral patterns.

Idyll and special atmosphere

Everyone who is tired of an overly busy life in a metropolis, consider Hallstatt (Austria) a city that travels travelers in past centuries with a calm and some special atmosphere. Sometimes it is useful to be alone with yourself and with your thoughts, and, perhaps, thousands of tourists come here annually. In a corner of the globe hidden from all eyes, there is a special spirit of appeasement, allowing tacitly enjoying isolation from civilization. They say that the one who comes here will return once, to feel this extraordinary sense of freedom again.

Hallstatt: how to get there?

Traveling to Hallstatt, divorced from the whole world, is easiest to start from Salzburg. To the small fairytale corner there are trains and regular buses, only two hours on the road - and amazed by the road through the tunnel laid in the mountains, tourists find themselves in the center of the town. There is another, more difficult route: by plane Moscow - Vienna, fly to the Austrian capital, and from there by an early train drive about four hours to an ancient settlement. However, visitors do not get to the place, and landed near the most beautiful lake, from the coast of which there is a free shuttle bus to Hallstatt. And lovers of sea walks are offered a ride on the ferry or boat, while enjoying the natural landscapes.

The most exotic and long way for all who are afraid to fly is to take a trip on the Moscow-Vienna train, which follows the capital for more than a day. However, the leadership of the railways warns that this route is seasonal, and not always on it there are tickets on sale. But tourists who want to save on the flight can use the services of Russian Railways, unless they are frightened by a tiresome and long journey.

Hallstatt is beautiful at any time of year

Travelers often wonder: at what time of year is it best to come to Hallstatt? Tours to the Austrian bizarre town diverge equally well. Of course, it will not be a secret for anyone that the summer city, drowning in bright greenery, is simply beautiful. Fruit trees that bend branches to the ground from the abundance of fruits, bend along the stone walls, and locals can easily harvest from the open window. Extraordinarily well-groomed houses, decorated with fresh flowers, can not but cause delight, and people living in the most beautiful place of Austria, worried about not only the exterior decoration, but also the interior.

Hallstatt in winter is also unimaginably good: small streets lined with snow, gingerbread houses decorated with rainbow illumination, and trees in white, fluffy robes are similar to the scenery for the fairy tale about the Snow Queen. Tourists who have repeatedly rested here and have ideas about a paradise town admit that in the winter the village looks very mysterious, and they see it as a special charm. Therefore, all who dream to meet the unusual New Year in Austria, pre-book tickets and hotels in Hallstatt, since closer to the holiday it is impossible to do.

Chinese clone

The most loyal lovers of the city are the Chinese. With them a very interesting story is connected, which at first angered the Austrians, and then became the beginning of friendly relations with the Celestial Empire. Enthusiastic admirers of a cozy place decided to recreate his exact copy and have already succeeded in this. According to previously photographed buildings, a twin city was built - an absolute copy of Hallstatt. The authorities decided not to aggravate the conflict, because they did not have the right to such duplication, but, on the contrary, they thought that the double would become the subject of interest to the original. And it happened: hundreds of curious Chinese people who compare two settlements, celebrate New Year in Austria and feel comfortable here in the summer.

Traveling to a cozy place is a real little fairy tale for adults. Those who dream to enjoy picturesque views and restore balance, it is worth, without hesitation, go on a long and exciting journey.