Hallstatt - a municipality in the Salzkammergut, in the federal state of Upper Austria. Included in the district of Gmunden, situated on the shore of the lake.

Hallstatt is located along the narrow coastline between steep mountains, some of the houses in the village are built on stilts. The city stretches 13 kilometers from east to west, 9 kilometers from north to south. Almost half of the territory is covered by forests.

Hallstatt is known for its salt kopyam, considered the oldest in Europe. The first written mention of the village dates from the year 1311. The earlier data are found, possibly because of the geographical distance from the settlement of trade routes. In 1595 it began to operate the oldest in Europe pipeline which dissolved salt transported over a distance of 40 km from the Hallstatt - in Ebensee. Salt has always been a valuable resource, so the region has prospered economically.

Until the late 19th century in Hallstatt can be reached only by boat or on foot along narrow paths. The first road was built only in 1890 along the coast.

In 1846, Johann Georg Ramsauzer discovered a large prehistoric cemetery, where he was more than a thousand ancient tombs. Excavations continued until 1863, their results was the discovery of funerary objects dating from the Iron Age and some findings - even earlier, bronze. Archaeological finds are exhibited in many museums in Austria, and the greatest part of the display at the Eggenberg castle near Graz. This Celtic culture (800-400 BC.) Has been named after the city where they found these artifacts - Hallstatt civilization.

Besides the beautiful natural scenery, interesting for tourists is the Catholic parish of St. Mary of the Assumption, built on a rock in the late Gothic style in 1505 on the site of an earlier church. The massive tower is the only remaining part of the previous church. Also interesting is the altarpiece, which is stored in the church - on either side of the Virgin Mary in the center the St. Barbara - patroness of miners, and St. Ekaterina - patroness of lumberjacks. Altar guard statues of holy knights - Sts. George and Florian.

Near the church is a cemetery and chapel, which houses more than a thousand human skulls, decorated with floral ornaments stamped name, date and cause of death. This store (ossuary) arose because of the lack of space in the cemetery: 10 years after the funeral of the deceased body dug up, cleaned the bones and skull with relevant notes were placed in the chapel.

In 1996, the Hallstatt was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every year in this small town comes to 70 thousand tourists, to enjoy the unforgettable scenery of the lake and visit the caves in the nearby Obertraun. Every year in Hallstatt various cultural and sporting events.