Holidays in the Salzkammergut region
The Salzkammergut-region – UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
Hallstatt in Austria It is impossible to see the Salzkammergut region as a unit, neither geographically nor politically. The Salzkammergut region is divided between three Austrian provinces. 72 percent of the region belongs to Upper Austria, 16 percent to Styria and 12 percent to Salzburg.
As is indicated by the name Salzkammergut, “Estate of the Salt Chamber”, this fantastic region has been formed by the white gold of the Alps – salt – which is mined in the surrounding area of Bad Ischl even today. Due to the wealth brought by the salt, ownership of the Salzkammergut region was fiercely contested in the past. Over the course of centuries this picturesque region had seen numerous rulers come and go. The longest lasting reign of the Salzkammergut region was the reign of the Habsburg dynasty. Their dominion started with the widow of Duke Albrecht I. She put the salt trade under the control of the imperial salt chamber, hence the second part of the region's name.
The Inner Salzkammergut region comprises the cities of Bad Aussee, Hallstatt and Bad Ischl. The area surrounding the town of Gmunden, the former residence of the Salt lords, the region around the lake Mondsee and the Salzburg part of the Salzkammergut are known as the Outer Salzkammergut region
World Cultural Heritage Salzkammergut
Large parts of the impressive Salzkammergut region were declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The picturesque town of Hallstattfor instance, which is in comfortable travelling distance from your holiday residence, the Hotel Goldener Ochs. The Salzkammergut region owes much of its unique beauty to the countless crystal clear lakes. The lakes are known as Hallsätter See, Traunsee, Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, Irrsee, Fuschlsee and Altausseer. These have one thing in common - the quality of the water, which is able to be drunk. The mountains, from gently rising foothills to the majestic summits 3,000 metres above sea level, serve as a majestic frame for the fantastic landscape of the Salzkammergut region. The mountains and lakes offer numerous leisure, cultural and sporting activities during your holidays in Austria.
