Hallein

About

Inhabited for 4000 years, Hallein was a Celtic settlement before being conquered by the Romans. However, its richest era came in the Middle Ages when the salt mines below the city supplied it, and Salzberg, with 'white gold'. Thanks to the constant flow of income, the Hallein's old town is filled with picturesque buildings, most notably from the Baroque period. Its rich heritage is preserved in two notable museums: one dedicated to the ancient Celts, and another to the Christmas song 'Silent Night', and its composer composer Franz Xaver Gruber. The city's salt mines are also open to visitors, where the mine train brings you into the heart of the mountain as experienced miners guide you through the oldest salt mine in the world. After disembarking, you can whizz down one of the two miner’s slides to reach the amazing subterranean salt lake, where an incredible multimedia show retraces the footsteps of the Celts who mined here 400 B.C. Afterwards, be sure to embark on a serene boat ride across the spectacular lake deep inside the mountain.