Hallein Salt Mine, Salt mine and historic site in Bad Dürrnberg, Austria.
Hallein Salt Mine is an underground excavation site in Bad Dürrnberg featuring tunnels across multiple levels with natural underground lakes and wooden slides. The chambers were carved directly into the rock over centuries of extraction work.
Salt mining began here around 600 BC when Celtic miners established one of Central Europe's major production centers. This early source of wealth laid the foundation for the region's later development and importance.
The salt mine shaped Hallein's identity and remains central to how locals understand their region's past and prosperity. Mining here is woven into daily conversations and the town's sense of itself.
Bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear since underground temperatures stay around 10 degrees Celsius year-round. Some paths are steep and require good balance, especially when using the wooden slides to descend.
During the tour, visitors cross the underground border between Austria and Germany without leaving the mine. This is one of the few places in the world where you can experience crossing a national boundary while underground.
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