Austria: Salzwelten Salzburg Launched New Visitor Experience on Reopening

A lot has happened at the Salzwelten Salzburg visitor mine in the past eight months. The visitor complex, which is dedicated to salt mining in history and modernity, invested around ten million euros in an extensive redesign. After a complete gutting, a new visitor center has been created. Form now on, guests are able to discover salt production in the form of a gallery tour that takes them through four different eras. After passing through a “preview room” the tour continues underground, where the guests learn everything about modern salt production today and the methods of extraction in the Baroque era. Among other things, they experience a raft trip across the underground salt lake. In addition, the Middle Ages and the Celtic period are highlighted in the newly staged show mine. Multimedia content completes the unique experience.

Above ground, visitors also have the opportunity to visit a Celtic village and the Bad Ischler Salzmanufaktur salt factory – Austria’s only show mine, according to the operator. An augmented reality app allows visitors to experience the working world of the Celts, and in the salt manufactory pyramid-shaped salt crystals grow and are scooped by hand. In addition, a themed playground was integrated to round off the new offer at Salzwelten Salzburg. The Viennese architectural firm the next ENTERprise Architects was responsible for the redesign of the facility, which has been open to visitors again since 19 May. The two design companies ARTFABRIK and Liquid Frontiers played a leading role in the conception development of the show mine.

“We managed to stay on schedule despite Covid. My thanks go above all to our staff on site and to the contractors who have created a completely new experience for our visitors,” comments Kurt Reiter, Managing Director of Salzwelten GmbH. (eap)