HALLSTATT AND ANCIENT SALT MINE

I got up rather early today; not necessarily what I had intended but it turns out that in Hallstatt they ring the church bells at 6:00 a.m.   Not 7:00 like in other places we have visited in Europe.  Oh well.   Needless to say, the boys were none too happy!  I tried to get back to sleep but no luck so I set out for a walk with my camera.  It was a good time to be out and about - before the tourists hit the town.

A MOODY MORNING

THIS ONE OF THOSE PICTURES THAT YOU CAN ONLY GET EARLY IN THE MORNING.  THERE IS ALWAYS A BUNCH OF HIKERS HERE FILLING UP ON THEIR WATER SUPPLY.  (IT'S DRINKABLE)

CAN YOU IMAGINE WAKING UP TO THIS EVERY MORNING?  

YOU DON'T SEE MUCH BOATING ON THE LAKE BECAUSE THEY ONLY ALLOW SMALL ELECTRIC MOTORS ON THE BOATS.  OF COURSE THEY DO HAVE A FEW FERRY BOATS THAT BRING PEOPLE ACROSS THE LAKE TO THE TRAIN STATION OR TO ANOTHER TOWN ON A DIFFERENT PART OF THE LAKE.

The Salt Mine of Hallstatt.  When they started to mine here in the 1700s they discovered many signs that the salt had been mined as far back as pre-historic times.  They found many unmarked graves and as of this date there have been 2,000 graves found.  Along with the bones they found tools that date back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.  They figure back as far as 800BC.   

The tour itself starts off with a quick ride on a funicular rail.  This drops you off and then you have to hike up to the building where you start your tour.  

WE WENT A LOT DEEPER THAN 85 METERS.

THE SMALL SLIDE

MY SISTER SHOULD RECOGNIZE THESE LARGE LIGHTS!

LOOKING DOWN THE MEGA-SLIDE!   FUN!   THEY CLOCK YOUR SPEED TOO.

A FUN TRAIN RIDE TO TAKE US OUT OF THE CAVE.  

THE BUILDING ON THE LEFT HAD A LITTLE CAFE.  WE HAD A GOOD LUNCH THERE AFTER OUR TOUR.

I TOLD MARK I WAS POSTING THIS PHOTO WHETHER HE MADE A RIDICULOUS FACE OR NOT....WELL, HERE IT IS.

WE THOUGHT THIS SIGN WAS FUNNY;   DOES IT MEAN THAT YOU CAN TRESPASS IF YOU ARE WITH A ROGUE EMPLOYEE OF THE MINE??

  
You can hike down the mountain on a well-marked path and it takes you right into town. We figured it would be a fun way to spend an hour after our lunch.  

THIS IS THE TOWN OF OBERTRAUN;  IT'S ACROSS FROM HALLSTATT BUT YOU CAN'T SEE IT UNLESS YOU ARE UP ON THE MOUNTAIN SINCE IT'S HIDDEN BEHIND A PENINSULA.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT BOYS & TRAINS?

VERY STEEP.   MUST HAVE DONE ABOUT 7 SWITCHBACKS.

THIS TUNNEL ENTRANCE TO THE MINE WAS MADE BACK IN THE MID 1700s.   TYPICAL OF THE TIME PERIOD - THEY WANTED TO MAKE IT LOOK QUITE GRAND TO SHOW OFF THE WEALTH OF THE NATION.  IT IS STILL USED TODAY; IN FACT THE MOTORCYCLE BELONGED TO SOME WORKERS WHO PASSED US A LITTLE WHILE LATER ON OUR WAY DOWN THE HILL.  THERE ARE 39 MINERS WHO STILL WORK IN THE MINE.

THE RED IN THE PHOTO IS AN UNUSUAL PIECE OF ART.  

MUST ADMIT - SEEING WHAT A FALLING BOULDER CAN DO TO THIS STEEL BRIDGE IS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING.

BENDING STEEL

THAT IS THE BRIDGE WE WERE ON EARLIER

GUESS YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU LIVE UP HIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN!

GLAD WE WERE HIKING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND NOT UP!

We loved Hallstatt.  Super relaxing.   Not a lot to do but I think that is just what we wanted.  Lots of lovely shops for shopping and great variety of restaurants and hotels.  Hard to believe but the town is open for business in the winter as well!  I am sure it's beautiful then too.  I would definitely recommend a visit here if you are planning a European vacation.