Exactly 500 years ago, Bohemia came under Habsburg rule through a strategic marriage alliance. This immediately expanded the market for Hallstatt salt, fueling the growth of the Salzkammergut salt industry in the following decades. The scale of salt mining as we know it today developed as a result of this market expansion, including the opening of the Ischl saltworks, the construction of the brine pipeline, and the rise of Ebensee.

The association “Paths of Salt,” dedicated to researching the historical salt deliveries to Bohemia, invited guests to the Kammerhof Museum in Gmunden on March 13, 2026, to celebrate the opening of a special exhibition on the topic. The Hallstatt World Heritage Management was also present, accompanied by researchers from the Natural History Museum Vienna conducting studies in Hallstatt.

A notably high-profile guest list from politics and science—led by Governor Thomas Stelzer—and a packed event hall highlighted the relevance and importance of the topic for Upper Austria. The ceremony, featuring engaging speeches and presentations, inaugurated the special exhibition “White Gold” and concluded with a traditional and delicious boatmen’s goulash.

The exhibition at the Kammerhof Museum remains open to the public until April 12, 2026, and, with its many exhibits and display panels, is a worthwhile destination for visitors.