Hallein: Celtic culture and history on site

At the Hallein Celtic Museum, you can encounter Celtic art and culture at a museum that is among Europe’s largest on this subject. Hallein’s medieval Old Town and Silent Night Museum also give the city a distinctive historical character. Its sights range from archaeological finds to the history of the song “Silent Night! Holy Night!”.

Celtic Finds and History

A 2,500-year-old Celtic beaked jug from Dürrnberg depicts mythical beasts of prey and demons. It is a specific example of the Celtic art on display at the museum. The Celtic Museum also presents the connection between Iron Age burial grounds, settlements and salt mining on Dürrnberg. This combination is considered unique in Europe.

The Kelten.Erlebnis.Berg also explores the subject: slides, a water play area and climbing fun give children the opportunity to discover Celtic life through play. Alongside the exhibits, there is a dedicated offering that presents Celtic life in an active way.

Two practical details are useful when planning a museum visit: an elevator provides access to all floors. The Celtic Museum is a ten-minute walk from Hallein Hauptbahnhof S-Bahn station.

Silent Night and Hallein’s Old Town

The Silent Night Museum is housed in the former sacristan’s and choir director’s residence. Franz Xaver Gruber lived and worked in this house for 28 years. The museum is dedicated to the creation and spread of the song “Silent Night! Holy Night!”. The history of a song and a specific place in Hallein thus come together in the museum’s subject matter.

The historic center of Hallein’s Old Town dates back to the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore it through small, winding lanes and across squares with a Mediterranean feel. The picturesque Kastenbrunnen fountains make inviting spots to pause during your visit. The Gruber organ in the parish church is another historical landmark: it was renovated in 2018.

Another monument is the Gutrat Castle ruins in Hallein’s Rehhof district, which are protected as a historic monument. If you would like to go for a hike, you can reach the ruins from the Au district via the Salzquellenweg after about an hour of easy walking.

Hiking and Local Landmarks

The Barmsteine are considered a landmark of Hallein and are popular hiking destinations. So, in addition to the lanes and squares of the Old Town, hiking spots are also part of a visit to Hallein. When planning, you can distinguish the approximately one-hour hike to the Gutrat ruins, described as easy, from the Barmsteine: its specified starting point is the Au district, and the route follows the Salzquellenweg.

Brewery Culture and Historic Tools

Beer has been brewed at Hofbräu Kaltenhausen since 1475. Various brewery tours are offered there, and beer tastings cover different beer styles. The tour and tasting each have a different focus: one is about the brewery, the other about the variety of beer styles.

The Hofbräu Kaltenhausen cooperage museum explains what historic tools such as the Hoanzlbank, guild plates and hoop-bending machines were used for. Alongside the history of the brewery, the visit also offers a look at how these tools were used. The brine graduation house in Bad Dürrnberg was completely renovated in 2013. It is located in the spa park, a few minutes’ walk from the pilgrimage church of Maria Dürrnberg.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Puch Bei Hallein, Hallein, Kuchl, Golling An Der Salzach, Adnet, Rußbach Am Paß Gschütt, Krispl, Rußbachsaag, Gseng, Taugl, Annaberg-Lungötz, Gaißau, Bad Vigaun, Weissenbach, Sankt Koloman, Sankt Margarethen, Schattau, Oberalm, Steuer, Abtenau, Scheffau am Tennengebirge.

Go to the overview of the wider region: Salzburgerland.