Lake Hallstatt: Cultural site in the Salzkammergut

Deep, dark and mysterious, surrounded by mountains it lies in the heart of the Salzkammergut: Lake Hallstatt. Visit the stage of cultural history and live traditions.

North of the majestic Dachstein Massif lies Lake Hallstatt. It is approximately 6 kilometres long and two point three kilometres wide. Lake Hallstatt is run through by the Traun River, which provides cool, fresh water on a constant basis. The fresh water of the lake boasts Pike, bass, rainbow trout, Arctic char, vendace and eel-pout. At the western bank of the mystic lake lies the historic municipality of Hallstatt.

The town of Hallstatt

The small town of Hallstatt has a population of around 1,000. The town, the Dachstein Massif and the Salzkammergut Region are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Numerous excavations in a burial field above Hallstatt have lead to the naming of a time period of the older Iron Age: Hallstatt Period.

The burial field from the Hallstatt Period and the oldest salt mine of the world can be reached via a foot path or via the salt mountain railway. One particularly interesting sight is the Hallstatt House of Bones or Bone House ("Beinhaus"). A total of 1,500 skulls are kept here, artistically decorated with dark wreaths of oak leaves, ivy or flowery paintings and marked with the names of the deceased.

Another place to visit is the Hallstatt Museum, home to an extensive collection of findings from the Hallstatt Period.

Tourism and Tradition at Lake Hallstatt

Lake Hallstatt is popular with divers and fishers, but it is also an important traffic route. During the church celebration of Corpus Christi in June Lake Hallstatt turns into a festive stage. Numerous decorated boats full of flowers float across the lake in a procession.

Activities in Hallstatt: Running, music and more

Every year at the beginning of May the “Run Around Lake Hallstatt” is held. The run is a popular half marathon. Furthermore, due to the Salzkammergut Mozart Festival many high-profile concerts have found their way to the event location of Hallstatt in Austria.

Visit Lake Hallstatt and the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Hallstatt during your holidays in Austria!