Treasury Mountain

Austria's Largest Rock Salt Deposit

Austria's largest rock salt deposit is still an active mine.

The Altaussee Salzwelten mines are still being exploited commercially. Step by step you enter the worlds of salt through a 700 metres long access tunnel, crossing the borders of the salt depot after 350 metres. The folding of the mountain has shaped wonderful "paintings" of salt and rock layers. During World War II, the Altaussee salt mines were a deposit for many works of art from all over Europe. The original storage chambers are open to visitors, their enormous size giving an impression of the treasures hidden there.

"Glück Auf"

With the traditional miners' salute we welcome you to the "Mountain of Treasures", the Salzwelten Altaussee Salt Worlds. For over a century the public has been admitted to these mines, and even before that, guests like the famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt or Archduke Johann came here to satisfy their curiosity about the fascinating world below ground.

The Sandling mountain housing these mines is Austria's largest salt deposit. 400,000 tons of salt are mined every year by leaching the salt with water and conveying the resulting brine to Ebensee, where vacuum salt for a variety of uses is produced.

Salt is what provided the wealth of the Salzkammergut region, it is the treasure that has been found here for nearly 800 years. But the Altaussee Salt Mines also have a more recent dramatic history as a Treasury of Art.

During World War II, thousands of works of art were hidden here. Although seemingly well protected, they escaped destruction by a narrow margin only. Now they are back at the museums and churches where they belong. Nevertheless they left some traces and have become part of the secret of this mountain.

The Mountain of Treasures will tell you its tale of Man's search for values and beauty and of everyone's quest for their individual treasures.

A Journey Through Time At The Salzwelten

Duration of the guided tour in the mines appx. 70 minutes; total duration of stay about two hours. Languages: German and English in parallel.