Hallstatt – A village sleeping amidst the misty Alps

Post:Thuy Vu.Image:Multiple sources

"Picturesque scenery" can be considered the first and most striking impression for those visiting for the first time. Mountains surround the area on all sides, and Lake Hallstätter boasts crystal-clear water with lazy, gentle waves.

Fairy Tale Village

Hallstatt is charming and picturesque, with its winding paths around the village and roads along the mountain slopes leading to the summit. The small village faces the lake directly, nestled gently against the mountains behind it. At the mountaintop behind the village, a cleverly constructed viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic views. In just about an hour's hike, visitors can admire the entire village from above, along with the snow-capped mountains, the lake, and the small houses nestled amidst the green meadows. The beauty of this scene is perhaps difficult to describe in words. All we know is that UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site.

Close your eyes and imagine the descriptions from Grimm's fairy tales of a charming, peaceful little village, with kind-hearted people, snow-covered roofs, a few white chimneys, and a green forest also blanketed in pristine white snow. Then, here and there, you'll see the warm yellow lights, the characteristic red hues of Christmas, and the aroma of traditional cinnamon rolls from the village bakeries… All of this blends together, and Hallstatt is the reality of those visions.

Visiting Hallstatt, you'll also get to experience the story of the salt mines and the history of the entire region. Hallstatt is located in the Salzkammergut region, which in German means "area of ​​abundant salt." When in Hallstatt, you absolutely must visit a salt mine to learn about its history and experience it firsthand. There are many salt mines here, some hundreds or even thousands of meters deep within mountain caves. Unlike traditional salt production methods found near the sea, the salt here is extracted using explosives. Large blocks of rock are then filtered through multiple layers to produce the salt crystals used to this day. The taste of salt mined from the mountains is also slightly different from sea salt, perhaps with a slightly milder salinity.

The salt mines, which were previously exploited using traditional methods like dynamite, have now ceased operation. Instead, the locals have transformed them into natural museums. Visitors can learn about the salt mining process, from ancient times to modern techniques. But what was most interesting and impressive to me was the role of these salt mines during World War II. Amidst the devastating destruction of war and the looting of valuable cultural artifacts under Hitler's regime, the locals hid valuable works of art such as paintings, sculptures, and documents within the salt mines. After the war ended, these works were brought out and displayed to the public. Due to the harsh conditions of wartime, these masterpieces were hidden in many places by various military units. Even today, it is believed that many more precious works remain hidden among the mountains in this area.

Warm Winter

Hallstatt and the surrounding area are also famous as an ideal location for cycling enthusiasts. It's impossible not to be captivated by the peaceful atmosphere and the expansive green spaces that unfold before your eyes with every step of your bike ride. The hilly terrain will require some effort, but it will certainly be nothing compared to the rewards you'll receive from exploring this place.

With a small population of just under a million, the people here truly cherish every visitor. This is perhaps the friendliest place I've ever been to in Europe. The locals don't pursue tourism for commercial reasons; they simply want to welcome nature lovers and showcase their pride to visitors. Due to the unfavorable winter weather, I arrived at a guesthouse called Moserwirt at 9 pm. Upon arrival, the receptionist warmly handed me the room key without even asking for or filling out any information, not even the simplest details like name and credit card details for verification, as is common elsewhere. Just a smile and a key were provided. An incredibly wonderful welcome for a winter night.

Hallstatt doesn't have fancy hotel chains. Nor does it offer extravagant meals, but it does have a unique and familiar culinary experience, like everyday home-cooked food. At my accommodation, even if you woke up late, food was served, often freshly prepared and hot right in the kitchen. From cold cuts to sausages, everything was homemade. Hot soup was also freshly made upon request. What could be better than that for a morning before a trip?

From Hallstatt, you can also take a train or rent a car to reach larger cities around the area, such as Salzburg. Further north across the border will lead you to Germany and the Czech Republic, or west to Switzerland.

Although I only stayed here for 3 days, I was truly impressed by this village. Its small size, peacefulness, natural scenery, and surprisingly warm atmosphere, even in the middle of a cold winter. And if you visit Austria, besides the capital Vienna and the city of Salzburg, Hallstatt is definitely a place you shouldn't miss.

Additional information:

+ Round-trip airfare from Vietnam to Austria ranges from 16-20 million VND. Prices vary depending on peak season (April and October each year) or off-peak season. Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Austria, so you will have to travel through a third country, such as transiting in Thailand or Germany, before continuing on to Austria.

You can get to Hallstatt by train:

From the capital Vienna through the following stations: Vienna-West-Train-Station (Wien-Westbahnhof) - Attnang Puchheim - Hallstatt Station - Hallstatt Markt or Vienna Main-Train-Station (Wien-Hauptbahnhof) - Leoben - Stainach Irdning - Hallstatt Station - Hallstatt Markt.

From Salzburg, the route passes through the following stations: Attnang - Puchheim - Hallstatt Station - Hallstatt Markt.

Austria is part of the Schengen Area, so if you are granted a visa to Austria, you can also travel freely to other countries in the bloc such as Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain.

The current currency of Austria is the Euro.

German is the official language of Austria. However, people here are fluent in English and other European languages, so you can travel and explore the country without needing to know German.

Hallstatt is quite small, so you can easily walk around the village without needing any public transport. Additionally, the tourist information desk is located right in the middle of the village. You can also ask anyone or at your accommodation for the most useful information and recommendations for interesting destinations.

The Thanh