Salzwelten Altaussee

About the museum

Salt mining in Altaussee is first mentioned in a document in 1147, the same year in which the name Austria also appears in a document for the first time. Rock salt is still extracted here today; Altaussee is regarded as Austria's largest active salt mine, and the natural salt "Bad Ischler" also comes from the mountain. Salzwelten GmbH, a subsidiary of Salinen Austria AG, is responsible for operating and marketing the show mines.

The mine became known through the Second World War: from 1943 the National Socialists stored art treasures from all over Europe in the tunnels, including Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges, the Ghent Altarpiece and works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer and Vermeer. Shortly before the end of the war the works were to be destroyed; brave Ausseer miners saved them. The story forms the basis of the film "The Monuments Men".

On the tours you walk about 2.5 kilometres through orange-red shimmering salt tunnels, past leaching chambers, a Saint Barbara chapel made of rock salt, a salt lake and slides. An exhibition on the recovery of the art, with graphic novel elements, is part of the tour; there is also the themed tour "Bombs on Michelangelo" and separate children's tours with the mine duck Sally.

Highlights

• Ride and walk through tunnels of pure rock salt, about 2.5 kilometres on foot
• Exhibition on the rescue of the art treasures in 1945 (the "Monuments Men" story)
• Miners' slides and salt lake
• Saint Barbara chapel made of rock salt
• Children's tours with the mine duck Sally

Permanent exhibition

• Das Glück der Kunst – The exhibition on the tour tells the story of the storage and rescue of the art treasures in the Altaussee mine at the end of the Second World War.

Operated by

Salzwelten GmbH (Salinen Austria AG)

Admission & discounts

Price includes the graphic novel exhibition. School and youth groups (up to 19 years): every 11th person free for school groups, every 21st for youth groups. Discount cards and reductions only directly at the ticket desk; online tickets with chosen time.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tunnels in the mine are naturally not suitable for wheelchairs. Instead of the slides, the stairs with handrail can be used. The house advises against a visit in case of claustrophobia.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+

• Family tours & workshops

Under the Mining Act, children may enter the mine only from age 4; there are above-ground activities for younger children. Children's tours with the mine duck Sally take place during the holidays (in July and August Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun at 3 p.m.).

Getting there & parking

The Salzwelten are located about 3 kilometres above Altaussee and can only be reached by car or on foot; on foot from the Altaussee Kurhaus stop or, during the Styrian summer holidays, from the Altaussee Scheiben stop (1.6 kilometres).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free lockers; free Wi-Fi in the above-ground area; restaurant and shop at the Salzwelten locations. Dogs are not allowed in the mine; dog boxes are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit