Since 1846 with the archaeological excavations at the grave field of the Iron Age, in which between about 800 to 370 BC the dead were buried, Hallstatt is world famous and to this day the Hallstatt high valley is one of the most exciting excavation sites for archaeologists.
 
Due to the salt, Hallstatt became one of the richest communities in Central Europe at an early age. The extraordinary additions in the tombs of the miners impressively testify to this heyday. Amber, ivory and wine from the south were given to the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. These often unique finds from the mine and the tomb field make Hallstatt a key location for understanding and researching our past and have contributed significantly to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
It's not just gold and silver that shine. You can see for yourself on 14 and 15 June in Hallstatt's Salzberg Valley. Numerous finds made of metal, which come from the Iron Age tomb field as well as from the salt mine, will be on display. Experts from the NHM Vienna and partner institutions show how they were made and tell about living, working and dying in Hallstatt more than 2,500 years ago. Try your hand at boiling salt, minting coins and forging metal! Insights into prehistoric cuisine including tastings round off the program.
 
Highlights:

• Current archaeological research of the NHM Vienna on and in the Salzberg
• Laboratory testing methods on metal finds by the NHM Vienna
• Material Analysis Studies of the Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science (VIAS), University of Vienna
• Metals in Restoration and Conservation as well as Music and Textile Archaeology of the Prehistoric Department, NHM Vienna
• Presentation of the Austrian Mint AG
• spectacular footage of the preservation work on the underground world heritage site
• first results of the archaeological construction support in the course of the reconstruction of the Salzbergbahn
• Presentation of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut and prehistoric pile buildings around the Alps
• Presentation of the web app SALZZEIT.at – the virtual museum of the Salzkammergut

 
Participation in the event is free of charge. The ascent with the Salzbergbahn is to be paid for; Online ticket as well as information about the salt worlds on www.salzwelten.at
 
A large, paid parking lot is located directly at the cable car station, a journey by public transport is recommended.
 
Venue: "Old forge", Salzberg Hallstatt
 
Organiser: Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna / www.nhm.at/hallstatt
 
 
Co-organisers:
Salzwelten Hallstatt, Salzbergstraße 21, 4830 Hallstatt www.salzwelten.at
World Heritage Management Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut, Seestraße 99, 4830 Hallstatt
www.welterbe-salzkammergut.at
 
 
Press photos for download:
https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/presse/pressekommunikationen2025/aab_2025
 
 
General request for information:
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Public Relations, Press Spokesperson, NHM Vienna
https://www.nhm.at/irina_kubadinow
Tel.: + 43 (1) 521 77 DW 410
irina.kubadinow@nhm.at
 
Mag. Nikolett Kertész-Schenk, Bakk. BA MAS
Press & Public Relations, Press Officer, NHM Vienna
https://www.nhm.at/nikolett_kertesz
Tel.: + 43 (1) 521 77 DW 626
 nikolett.kertesz@nhm.at