Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Hallstatt: An unbelievably spectacular place!

Hallstatt in winter!
Hallstatt is a small town overlooking the Lake Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut, in the federal states Upper Austria of Austria. At the 2001 census, it had 946 inhabitants.
Hallstatt is known for its production of salt, dating back to prehistoric times.
On 16 June 2011, plans to build a replica in China. On 2 June 2012, it was reported that Chinese mining company China Minmetals Corporation built a full-scale replica of the entire town in Huizhou, Guangdong province.
Hallstatt, Austria!
People walking in Hallstatt village.
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Hallstatt viewed from mountaintop!
Hallstatt blue hour!
Hallstatt Town of Austria!
Hallstatt Marktplatz
Good to know:
  • The Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut area has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List with the following inscription: "Human activity in the magnificent natural landscape of the Salzkammergut began in prehistoric times, with the salt deposits being exploited as early as the 2nd millennium BC. This resource formed the basis of the area’s prosperity up to the middle of the 20th century, a prosperity that is reflected in the fine architecture of the town of Hallstatt."
  • Hallstatt was the site of an early Iron Age culture from 800 to 400 BC, which is known as the Hallstatt Era. Hallstatt is considered to be the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe. 
  • In addition to its ancient history, Hallstatt is spectacularly picturesque, due to its location on a narrow rocky west bank of the Hallstättersee with the sheer rising mountains behind it. Considered by some to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, Hallstatt is sometimes called "the pearl of Austria". 
  • Note: during the "off season", few shops and restaurants are open, and in some periods it might even be difficult to find a place to stay. Advance reservations would help ensure acceptable accommodations and avoid a worrisome search for an open hotel.
Hallstatt, Austria.
Hallstatt in Autumn!
Hallstatt in Winter!
Houses of Hallstatt!
Colorful Streets of Hallstatt!
Hallstatt viewed from mountaintop.
To See:
Hallstatt Cultural Heritage Museum. A small but interesting museum displaying 7000 years of Hallstatt history.
Beinhaus. "Bone House" in English. Due to the extremely limited space in the cemetery, burials are only temporary. After 10-15 years the grave is opened and the bones are removed and bleached in the sun. Then they are stacked in the Beinhaus. It's not as gruesome as it sounds. Skulls are often decorated with painted flowers and the family name. This practice was stopped in the 70's with the approval of cremation by the catholic church. 
See the town. Simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the town. Have lunch in a cafe next to the lake and feed the swans.

To Do:
Visit the salt caves. Hallstatt Salt Worlds will take you into the more than 250 year old salt mines to explore its underground beauty.
Do an outing by boat. Take a tour on the Lake of Hallstatt.
Hiking. There are many hiking trails in the mountains behind Hallstatt and throughout the Salzkammergut area. Ask at the Tourist Information office for a good hiking map as it can be easy to get lost in the rapidly changing alpine weather.
Rock climbing.
Children. There is a very nice lakeside playground about 500m south of town with free WC, swimming, sunbathing, and the best views of town you'll see without going on a boat.
Ice Caves. In Dachstein, across the lake from Hallstatt, there are caves with ice waterfalls, lakes and ponds streaming through the limestone. Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater.


Entrance to the Hallstatt Salt Mine.
Evangelical church as seen from the Gasthof Zauner in Hallstatt, Austria.
Dachstein Ice Cave.
Hallstatt Cultural Heritage Museum.
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Hallstatt viewed from mountaintop.
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Go there:
By Train: From the main line between Salzburg and Vienna, get off at Attnang-Puchheim. Take a train from here towards Bad Ischl and Obertraun. The Hallstatt station is south of Bad Ischl and one stop north of Obertraun, it is on the east bank of the Hallstättersee (Hallstatt Lake) and consist of just a boat dock next to the tracks. A regular ferry service will meet each arriving train and take you to the town across the lake. When leaving, the boat takes you back to the tiny train station, where you may take the train back to Attnang-Puchheim and transfer to your next destination. 
By bus:
Shuttle Cesky Krumlov (Door-to-door shuttle from/to Hallstatt). offers door-to-door transportation between Hallstatt and Salzburg, Linz and Český Krumlov.
Bean Shuttle (Cheapest shuttle between Hallstatt and Cesky Krumlov) offers direct shuttle bus between Hallstatt and Cesky Krumlov and between Hallstatt and Ceske Budejovice.
CK shuttle and Budweis-shuttle offer a door-to-door transportation service from Český Krumlov to Hallstatt and back. The ride takes about three hours.
Czechshuttle.com (Shuttle bus from / to Cesky Krumlov), 2.5 hours. offers door - to - door Shuttle bus to Hallstatt) from Cesky Krumlov and back. Private transportation available by CAR or VAN. 
By taxi, or car. A street passes through a tunnel in the mountain above the town. There is underground parking available here.
Hallstatt street.
Hallstatt Town of Austria.
Hallstatt Town of Austria.
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Hallstatt village, Austria!
Iconic photo of Hallstatt!
 Austrian Airlines

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