Salzburg is a beautiful, scenic city nestled in the Austrian Alps, and hidden within those mountains a unique attraction awaits visitors. The Durrnberg mountain is home to some of the world's oldest mines. These salt mines are what gave Salzburg, translated salt mountain, gets its name and its wealth. Today the mines are open to tourists and provide a fun and unique learning experience. If you are going to be in Salzburg, be sure to check it out.
Instructions
1. Plan ahead. If you are only in town for a short time you need to plan this excursion well so you allow enough time for it. The tour of the mines last about 2.5 hours and the short trek out of town adds another 20 to 30 minutes, round trip.
2. Find transportation to the town called Hallein. There are several ways to arrive there. If you have rented a car, driving is the easiest. If not, buses and trains are available, check with your hotel for details.
3. Buy a ticket for the tour then wait for instructions.
4. Put on the white overalls. The tour guide will ask you to dress in the miner's costume as to keep your clothes clean.
5. Board the electric mine train. A small train will take you deep inside the mountain. The guide will explain as you go what you are seeing.
6. Follow the guide as he leads you on foot through galleries, then slide down the long wooden slides to other levels. Ride across the underground lake and listen to the guides tales of old miners.
7. Visit the Celtic Village at the end of the mine tour. This recreation of the original Celtic village is filled with interesting artifacts that are over 2000 years old.
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