Hallstatt

Alicia Altmueller

23 Jul 2020 • 4 min read

Die Zille - boat (More to the exact definition below)

Hallstatt is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is not a typical stop when we are near Stephan's folks, but we went today. It is an UNSECO site. The salt is what established Hallstatt. The actual dates of first inhabitants is as far back as 800-450 BC. The location is rather dramatic. Surrounded by sharp stone mountains and lush green vegetation. Now, looking at the town is it is rather romantic and magical. However, thinking back about when it started, the inhabitants would mostly likely be described as a group with rough endurance and a harsh reality.

Zille - A very specific type of boat typically only found in parts of Austria and Germany. Most likely used for fishing or in some cases personal transport. These wooden boats are generally wooden with specific dimensions. In older times they were used to transport items like gravel - or most likely here - the salt and fish products for the towns commerce.

The reason why we don't usually visit is the crowds and over-tourism. This is a town that has about 870 residents but in one day this town is usually overwhelmed with about 10,000 tourists. And that is with a cap of tourists per day! Politics play into why so many tourists are allowed in at one time. I think we can all guess who benefits from tour buses and masses. (It is not the majority of the residents). We had taken this off our list to visit to due to the over-tourism. However, due to the lack of tourists, we felt it was time to see it, albeit with a some guilt.

Aside from it being a masterpiece for the eyes, there are two other reasons for the number of visitors. One, it is a huge attraction to Chinese visitors to Austria. It is so popular, that a replica was built in China. It is so popular for Chinese visitors, that many of the signs are written in German and Chinese. The other piece that has brought tourists from all over the world - is the fact that this town is the inspiration for the town in the children's movie, "Frozen." Knowing this magical fact - I will give you a little hint. If you ever go to Hallstatt and find the urge to break into song - hold that urge in - the locals are not fans of the musical theater that is playing out on the streets. I read an article where one of the town representatives asked everyone to, STOP SINGING THAT SONG. I imagine it is like hearing the popular song on the radio, over and over again, only this time, with different levels of skill. When we were there, we did not hear any versions of the song, but we did spot two little princess Elsas.

the stairs on the side of the mountains that allow you to connect to the other small streets through town

We usually try to avoid major tourist spots, but we did take advantage of the smaller crowds and no tour buses. Miriam's present this year was to drive an e-boot on one of the lakes near my in-laws. Amazingly, we were able to get a boot and she drove the rest of us for an hour.

The steep side of the mountain and the houses built into it

I have no idea why I am not smiling but it is the only photo we took of ourselves here

I am not sure when and if we will be back again. However, this is a town that will always be magical to me.

Sign up for more like this.