Salzwelten Salzburg

About the museum

On the Dürrnberg above Hallein, Celtic miners were already mining salt underground around 600 BC. After a long break, the Archbishops of Salzburg made the deposit a source of their wealth again from the 12th century. The salt mountain extends far beneath Bavarian territory; the Salt Convention of 1829 between Bavaria and Austria still regulates mining today.

As early as the 17th century, selected guests of the mine owners were allowed to enter the mine. From the 19th century a regular visitor operation developed, with slides and an illuminated salt lake, which grew strongly after the Second World War. With privatisation, salt production in Hallein ended in 1989, and the mine has been run as a show mine ever since.

The operator is Salzwelten GmbH, a subsidiary of Salinen Austria AG, which also runs the show mines in Hallstatt and Altaussee. In 2020/21 the facilities below and above ground were completely rebuilt. The roughly 90-minute tour begins with the mine train and continues on foot through four eras of salt mining – from modern mining through the Middle Ages to the Celts. It includes two long miners’ slides, a raft ride across the salt lake and a walk across the underground border into Germany.

Above ground, the Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg (Celtic Experience Mountain) completes the offering: the reconstructed Celtic village SALINA with an info centre, a demonstration saltworks where salt crystals are scooped by hand, and a themed playground. The original finds from the Dürrnberg are displayed in the Celtic Museum in Hallein.

Highlights

• Ride in on the mine train
• Two long miners’ slides
• Raft ride across the underground salt lake
• Underground national border between Austria and Germany
• Celtic village SALINA and salt manufactory at the Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg

Permanent exhibitions

• Salzbergwerk-Führung durch vier Epochen – Guided tour through the Dürrnberg from present-day salt mining through the Middle Ages to the Celts, with mine train, slides and a raft ride across the salt lake.
• Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg mit Keltendorf SALINA – Reconstructed Celtic huts and workshops with an info centre on the settlement’s history, plus a demonstration saltworks where salt crystals are scooped by hand.

Operated by

Salzwelten GmbH (Salinen Austria AG)

Visitors per year

approx. 211,000 (2019)

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes the guided tour of the salt mine and admission to the Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg with the Celtic village SALINA and the salt manufactory. Online tickets with a time of your choice at tickets.salzwelten.at; concession cards and discounts are valid at the ticket office only. ÖBB offers a combined ticket including train travel, regional bus and admission. With a Salzwelten ticket you get a 20% discount at the Celtic Museum in Hallein.

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

Because of the natural conditions, the tunnels are not accessible by wheelchair. About 1 km is covered on foot underground, partly on uneven ground; stairs with handrails can be used instead of the slides. Visiting is not recommended for people with claustrophobia.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children may enter the mine from age 4. Sally’s children’s tour with Sally the mine duck for 4- to 10-year-olds takes place all year on Sundays at 2:30 pm, and additionally on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the summer holidays (German only). At the Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg there is a themed playground with climbing elements, marble runs and a bouldering wall, as well as the free puzzle rally “The Missing Salt Amulet” through the Celtic village.

Getting there & parking

About 19 km south of the city of Salzburg. On Fridays and Saturdays a shuttle bus runs from Mirabellplatz 2 in Salzburg (departure 9:15 am, admission included).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant Salzblick (also picnic baskets), Salzwelten shop with salt products. Small bags can be stored in lockers free of charge; please leave large luggage in the car. Free Wi-Fi in the above-ground area. Picnic areas at the Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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