Virtual city tour

However mundane and unexciting this very “normal” mineral may appear to us today, its history is quite spectacular. It is a tale going back thousands of years and very closely interwoven with the history of Salzburg itself – nomen est omen.

For over 4000 years now salt has been continually mined in the surroundings of Salzburg. And, as is to be expected, the River Salzach served for centuries as one of the most important routes for the transportation of this “white” gold from the mountains.

This seemingly tiny and insignificant looking mineral was once considered as valuable as gold. And, since rich deposits of salt are relatively rare, its existence proved to be a veritable gold –mine for certain countries.
The wealth of sovereigns and states increased thanks to the exploitation of such salt deposits. Salt became a useful instrument of political power and a major tax soured. The archbishops of Salzburg were skilful in marketing the locally won salt and their income helped provide the basis for the present day affluence and splendour of the city.