Europe Explored » salt mines https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Hallstatt – visit the oldest salt mines in the world | Austria https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/08/hallstatt-visit-the-oldest-salt-mines-in-the-world-austria/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/08/hallstatt-visit-the-oldest-salt-mines-in-the-world-austria/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:50:53 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=6364 Hallstatt is a small village in Upper Austria situated on the shores of Lake Hallstätter See. The whole surrounding area of ​​Hallstatt-Dachstein and even the whole period was named after this village. You surely remember Hallstatt Period from history books (or at least those of you living in the Central Europe). Indicates the period roughly […]

The post Hallstatt – visit the oldest salt mines in the world | Austria appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Hallstatt is a small village in Upper Austria situated on the shores of Lake Hallstätter See. The whole surrounding area of ​​Hallstatt-Dachstein and even the whole period was named after this village. You surely remember Hallstatt Period from history books (or at least those of you living in the Central Europe). Indicates the period roughly between 8th and 6th century BC. During this time Central Europe was settled by the Celts, who started to process iron, and the first fortified Celtic settlements were created here.

Hallstatt, town and lake, Austria
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jiuguang Wang

And how did the period get its name? Just after Hallstatt village, which was at that time an important trading center. There was the salt mined in its vicinity, which was also exported to far away places. The history of the local salt mining extends at least from 2nd millennium BC up to the present and gave the region not only wealth and prosperity, but also created a specific cultural landscape, where nature blends with human activity in unusual harmony. It also led the Commission of UNESCO to add this area “Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape” on the list of World Heritage in 1997.

Very interesting on Hallstatt is that it has long been accessible only by boat across the lake, or along narrow mountain trails. The first road was built along the shore in 1890, but only thanks to the power of explosives. Despite of this apparent inaccessibility the people settled here anyway seven thousand years ago. The rich history recalls not only architecture of Hallstatt, but also the local museum, which collects extensive archaeological excavations. Many of them come from the necropolis on the plateau above the town, where were discovered the remains of 4,000 people. And those remains were the main reason to name the period as “Hallstatt period”.

Dachstein Ice Caves, Hallstatt, Austria
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Party Lin

It is understandable that many places in Hallstatt are related to salt. The local salt mines are reportedly the oldest in the world and you can see them in an unusual museum. Why unusual? Well, how many museums have you visited which had 64 metres long wooden roller coaster…? But the underground salt mines offer much more than this unusual attraction. You can learn about the life of people who mined salt here for thousands of years. The body of one of them was found here in 1734, perfectly preserved by salt. Notable is also an underground salt lake with an area of ​​1400 m2.

If you already have enough salt, you can target the other wonders of the underground world – Dachstein ice caves. And because we are in the Alps, it is not necessary to say that you can see lots of interesting also on the surface. Whether it’s a remarkable historical buildings, or simply “just” beautiful countryside with fresh air and a nice panorama of mountain giants.

There are lots of Austria hotels in the town as well as camp sites at the shores of the lake. Hallstatt is also a great starting point for your hiking tours around the mountains.


View Hallstatt – visit the oldest salt mines in the world Austria in a larger map

The post Hallstatt – visit the oldest salt mines in the world | Austria appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2012/03/08/hallstatt-visit-the-oldest-salt-mines-in-the-world-austria/feed/ 0
Aveiro – Venice of Portugal https://europeexplored.com/2010/12/31/aveiro-venice-of-portugal/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/12/31/aveiro-venice-of-portugal/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:18:16 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2216 Aveiro is a city in Portugal, located in the northwestern part of the country, in the region of Centro. Today there live about 55 000 inhabitants. Aveiro attracts visitors due to its unique atmosphere. Aveiro is often called as the Venice of Portugal. Water is the main feature of the city and its surroundings. Typical […]

The post Aveiro – Venice of Portugal appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Aveiro is a city in Portugal, located in the northwestern part of the country, in the region of Centro. Today there live about 55 000 inhabitants. Aveiro attracts visitors due to its unique atmosphere.

Aveiro is often called as the Venice of Portugal. Water is the main feature of the city and its surroundings. Typical sign of Aveiro is also contrasting colors, white houses are decorated differently, and the blue lagoon is dotted with colorful boats known as moliceiros. Here you can see the snow-white salt mines. Interesting environment is enhanced by the nearby nature reserve of São Jacinto, which consists of several small islands, sand dunes and abundant vegetation. Those who love the sea and beaches, can go to a nearby popular sandy beach Costa Nova. It is also a popular destination for surf lovers.

In Aveiro there is a number of local historical buildings, such as a former Dominican monastery Convento de Jesús from the 15th century, in which the renowned museum is located, or the Cathedral of Sao Domingos from 15th century as well. A popular tourist destination is also Ílhavo maritime museum, located just a few kilometers away and factory, which produces the famous Portuguese Vista Alegre porcelain. You can also visit nearby lighthouse, which is the highest lighthouse in Portugal and even in the entire Iberian Peninsula.


View Aveiro – Venice of Portugal in a larger map

The post Aveiro – Venice of Portugal appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2010/12/31/aveiro-venice-of-portugal/feed/ 0