Museum Hallstatt

Step inside a 400-year-old parsonage building near Hallstättersee lake to explore Europe's oldest salt mining artifacts. You'll find prehistoric textiles preserved in salt, Bronze Age mining tools, and an extensive collection of Iron Age objects. The museum's holographic displays let you watch ancient miners at work, while 3D presentations take you through salt caves dating back to 5000 BCE.

Interactive Exhibits and Technology

Put on 3D glasses to walk through a reconstructed Iron Age settlement, or watch holographic miners demonstrate ancient salt extraction techniques. The museum's dioramas explain how miners transported salt through narrow tunnels, while touchscreen stations guide you through archaeological discoveries from 5000 BCE to 400 CE.

Salt Mine Discoveries

Since 1846, excavations in Hallstatt's salt mines have uncovered thousands of well-preserved items. Johann Georg Ramsauer, who led the early digs, created detailed drawings of each discovery. The salt's preservative properties kept leather bags, wooden handles, and woven fabric intact for over 2,500 years. These artifacts reveal how prehistoric miners lived and worked, from their clothing to their mining methods.

Roman Period Collection

Walk through galleries filled with Roman-era mining equipment and everyday objects from 100-400 CE. Stone carvings show how Romans constructed buildings in the harsh alpine environment. The collection includes specialized iron picks for salt extraction, bronze coins from distant provinces, and clay pottery used by local families. These items point to a permanent Roman settlement with year-round mining operations.

Planning Your Visit

The museum welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 to 18:00 between May and September, with shorter hours in winter. Adult admission costs 12 euros, children and students pay 9 euros, and family tickets cost 24 euros. You'll find the museum at Seestraße 56 in central Hallstatt, a 5-minute walk from either the town square or ferry dock.