Museums in the Salzkammergut

In St. Gilgen, you can visit the culturally and historically significant birthplace of Mozart’s mother. Mozart’s sister Maria Anna – affectionately known as Nannerl – also lived here. These are the circumstances that made St. Gilgen the Mozart village on Lake Wolfgang. Enjoy interesting and informative insights into the cultural and social life during Mozart’s lifetime in a historical setting! Impressive text, picture and music material is always complemented by attractive special exhibitions. So you can follow in the footsteps of the musical heritage of this world-famous family. The Mozart House in St. Gilgen is a gem for music lovers.

Mozarthaus St. Gilgen am Wolfgangsee | Nannerl Museum
Ischler Straße 15
5340 St. Gilgen
Telephone: +43 6227 20242
E-mail: info@mozarthaus.info

Look forward to this historically significant sight in the legendary Salzkammergut metropolis, as this is where the young Emperor Franz Joseph and Princess Elisabeth celebrated their engagement. Today, these time-honoured walls house the impressive collections of the town of Bad Ischl. A first-class museum that authentically and impressively reflects the culture and history of this spa town in a dignified setting. Take a look at the engagement room, the emperor’s uniform and hunting rifles as well as interesting exhibits on the importance of the salt industry, folklore and the development of the town.

Museum of the City of Bad Ischl
Esplanade 10
4820 Bad Ischl
Phone: +43 6132 25476
Email: info@stadtmuseum.at

The former estate of composer Franz Lehár is now a much-visited museum. Lehár acquired the striking villa in Bad Ischl in 1912 and from then on spent almost every summer there, where many of his successful operettas were written. Follow in the footsteps of the master of his time and discover personal memorabilia, valuable furnishings and a unique art collection that is absolutely worth seeing. The Red Salon and the impressive Biedermeier Room are particular showpieces. No less worth seeing is the bathroom – almost in its original state.

Lehár-Villa
Lehárkai 8
4820 Bad Ischl
Phone: +43 6132 26992
Email: info@stadtmuseum.at

Hallstatt is definitely worth a visit. The town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers many cultural, historical and scenic attractions. The salt mine is an adventure for young and old – starting with the ride up the mountain on the panoramic railway and the numerous, sometimes mystical tunnels, which were used by the local population over 3,000 years ago to mine the ‘white gold’. Take a short breather in the Bronze Age cinema 400 metres underground: the cinema was developed and set up together with the Natural History Museum Vienna and the employees of Salinen Austria AG.

Another highlight is the oldest wooden staircase in Europe, which has been accessible at a new exhibition site since 2015. The staircase is integrated into a film animation depicting a working day in the Bronze Age. History meets high-tech: a truly unique experience.

Hallstatt Salt Mine
Salzbergstraße 21
4830 Hallstatt
Phone: +43 6132 2002400

The world-famous ossuary in St Michael’s Chapel in Hallstatt is a truly remarkable sight. Visitors from all over the world come here to admire this extraordinary and world’s largest collection – over 600 artistically painted skulls. Decorated with floral ornaments such as ivy branches, black crosses and Latin script – some of which date back to the 18th century. Skull painting is part of a cultural group from the predominantly eastern Alpine region. The identity of the deceased was preserved with the painting and inscription.

Ossuary in St Michael’s Chapel
Cemetery 164
4830 Hallstatt
Phone: +43 6134 8279
Email: pfarre.hallstatt@dioezese-linz.at

See the originally preserved apartments where Empress ‘Sisi’ Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph spent the summer months. In 1914, Emperor Franz Joseph declared war on Serbia and explained his motives in a manifesto entitled ‘To My Peoples’, which he signed in Bad Ischl. The declaration of war triggered events that subsequently led to the First World War. During a 45-minute guided tour, you will feel the special flair of times gone by and learn interesting and personal facts about the life of the imperial family.

The Imperial Villa is surrounded by the extensive Imperial Park, which invites you to take long walks and includes the Marmorschlössl, Elisabeth’s former tea house.

Imperial Villa Bad Ischl
in the Kaiserpark
Bad Ischl
Phone: +43 6132 23241
Email: office@kaiservilla.at