Hallstatt Museum

A settlement recreation. babblefu (Atlas Obscura User)

Hallstatt’s roots in salt mining go back around 7,000 years, making it the world’s oldest salt mine. The museum tour often refers to salt as “white gold.”

The Hallstatt Museum chronicles the evolution of salt mining from its prehistoric beginnings, as well as the life and death of the area’s inhabitants. Many artifacts unearthed over the centuries include tools, clothing fragments, and a very extensive necropolis. In some cases, wealthier people were buried with possessions as a show of status.

Most of the information inside is available in English, but some of the video presentations are only in German. Multi-lingual audio guides are not offered, but the exhibits speak for themselves.

Know Before You Go

The signage above the entrance says "Door of History," but the official name of the museum is Welterbemuseum Hallstatt.

The museum is along the main walkway into town that is mostly reserved for pedestrians. There is an entry fee, as of May 2022 it was 10 euros for regular entry.