In 1997, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris awarded the title “UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape Hallstatt – Dachstein / Salzkammergut” to the region north of the Dachstein. While the local residents had always known that they lived in one of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable, the recognition as a “Heritage of Humanity” — as only one of 12 sites in Austria — was the international and official confirmation of the area’s exceptional value.

To qualify as a World Heritage site, a region or property must possess unique characteristics or attributes that define its OUV (Outstanding Universal Value). In the eyes of UNESCO, the Salzkammergut is distinguished, among other things, by its Alpine landscape, its millennia-old salt industry, its research tradition, and its architectural culture.

Is the charm of the Salzkammergut unique?

The Salzkammergut is a living cultural landscape, and we evolve together with it. Our identity and quality of life are derived not only from archaeological research or from the landscape shaped by our ancestors, but also from the current developments that we build upon. For this reason, it is important in the management of the site to identify and incorporate these contemporary characteristics and attributes as well. What was typical in the past? What defines the region today? And what do we want to define it in the future?

In a workshop held under the working title “Place of Longing,” participants discussed how the appeal of the Salzkammergut has developed and transformed over the centuries, and whether this attractiveness can be expressed in a concise way.

The Goisern-based historian Dr. Michael Kurz prepared a documentation in advance on the motivations behind travel movements that have brought researchers, artists, and spa guests to the Salzkammergut for more than 200 years. The discussion with around 20 experts and insiders took place against a magnificent backdrop at the glacier restaurant on the Krippenstein. There, the Dachstein presented itself in its best light, freshly covered in snow, as if proudly declaring, “I am the main attraction here.”

The participants’ stories and discussions on the topic proved extremely fruitful. The positive appeal of the region’s nature and culture was illuminated from many perspectives and in many facets. All participants agreed that the Salzkammergut exerts a unique magic on people. Tourism expert Reinhard Lanner from Abtenau guided the workshop in such a way that tangible theses were developed for further work within the World Heritage management.

World Heritage Project Manager and workshop organizer Karl Posch — himself from Gosau — expressed his satisfaction:

“It was exciting today to hear the diverse perspectives and experiences of participants from many different fields. In the end, there seems to be one strong common denominator: the high level of personal identification of residents with the Salzkammergut. This is what truly makes the extraordinary capital of the region’s nature and culture valuable. The proverbial pride of residents in being able to live and work in the Salzkammergut is justified. Events and networks such as this workshop are important in preserving this quality for generations to come.”

What comes next

The World Heritage management team will now process the content developed during the workshop. The findings will be discussed with regional and federal authorities and, at the end of the process, reported to Paris as part of the mandatory reporting requirements. This consolidation of the OUV is intended to provide an improved foundation for a vibrant cultural landscape that enables sustainable development.