Altaussee salt mine, Historic salt mine in Altaussee, Austria
Salzwelten Altaussee is a historic salt mine in Austria featuring orange-red tunnel walls made of pure rock salt with multiple chambers and an underground salt lake within the mountain. The passages reveal natural layers and structures that developed over millennia.
The salt mine was founded in 1147 and developed into a major center for salt extraction. During World War II, it became a secret storage site for European artworks created by artists such as Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
The Barbara Chapel built from rock salt inside the mine reflects how miners blended their faith with their work and the customs important to this region. It remains today as workers once constructed it.
Visitors walk through passages with a constant temperature of 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit), so warm clothing is necessary. The tour proceeds through the mountain interior on marked trails that are safe to walk.
Inside lies one of Europe's largest underground salt lakes, still and reflective within the mountain chambers. This natural formation developed through salt dissolution and reveals the power of water beneath the earth.
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