Behind the baroque buildings of Salzburg is an ancient source of wealth. Learn how “white gold,” or salt, built this remarkable Austrian city.
The wealth behind Salzburg’s grandeur
Walking through Salzburg Cathedral, a masterpiece of baroque design, it’s impossible not to wonder: how was this all paid for? The same question arises in the Residenz palace across the square, and in the many other lavish buildings around the city.
Despite its rich architecture, Salzburg was never the capital of a great empire. Until the 19th century, it was ruled by autocratic Prince Archbishops as an ecclesiastical microstate with no gold, no silver, no major port, and no crucial trading position.
The answer lies in its very name: salt.
- Book your spot on the Salzwelten tour.
Why salt was so valuable
Salt may feel ordinary today, but before refrigeration it was essential for preserving food. Enormous quantities were needed to prevent meat from spoiling, and the mountains around Salzburg provided an abundant supply.
Beneath the region lies an ancient underground sea, its water long evaporated but leaving rich salt deposits. The Celtic tribes mined these reserves more than 2,500 years ago, growing wealthy from the trade.
Five great things to do in Salzburg
- 🎶 Bring out your inner Maria – on a Sound of Music locations tour.
- 🥧 Take an apple strudel cooking class – with lunch included.
- 🏛️ See the highlights of the Old Town – on a guided walking tour.
- ⛏️ Go underground in a salt mine – and see the Bavarian Alps too.
- 🏰 Head up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress – for a best of Mozart concert.
The rise of Salzburg’s salt mines
Initially, salt was gathered from natural springs. Soon, though, miners began tunnelling deep into the mountains, creating a vast underground network.
The Salzwelten mine at Bad Dürrnberg, which ceased operating in 1989, is now a tourist attraction. Visitors board a small train, slide down wooden chutes to lower levels, and take a boat across an underground lake, accompanied by a dramatic light and sound show. In a quirky twist, the tour even crosses into Germany — the product of centuries-old treaties that allowed Salzburg’s miners to dig under Bavarian territory.
- Book your Salzwelten tour in advance to secure your spot.
From “white gold” to real gold
Entertainment aside, the mine tours also explain the history of salt extraction. One of the central figures is Archbishop Wolf-Dietrich, who financed much of Salzburg’s baroque architecture using salt revenues. Taxes from citizens, he admitted, were insignificant compared to the wealth from the mines.
The real breakthrough came in the 12th century, when miners developed a leaching method. They filled chambers with water, left it for weeks to form brine, then pumped it out to be boiled, leaving salt behind. This transformed mining from back-breaking labour into a scalable industry.
The tons of “white gold” extracted provided the riches that still glitter in Salzburg’s churches and palaces today.
Plan your visit
The Salzwelten Salzburg mine tour can be booked online.
Frequently asked questions about Salzwelten near Salzburg
Why is Salzburg known as the city of salt?
The name Salzburg literally means “Salt Fortress.” For centuries, the city’s wealth came from the rich salt deposits in the surrounding mountains, which were mined and traded across Europe as essential “white gold.”
Can you still visit Salzburg’s salt mines today?
Yes. The historic Salzwelten Salzburg mine at Bad Dürrnberg has been transformed into a visitor attraction. Tours include a miners’ train ride, underground slides, a boat trip across a subterranean lake and interactive history exhibits.
How old are the salt mines near Salzburg?
The mines date back more than 2,500 years. Celtic tribes were the first to extract salt here, and mining continued right up until 1989, when production stopped and the tunnels were opened to visitors.
How did salt shape Salzburg’s architecture?
Revenues from salt mining provided the funds for Salzburg’s grand baroque buildings, including its cathedral and the Residenz palace. The Prince Archbishops used this “white gold” to transform the small ecclesiastical state into a cultural centre.
Where can I book tickets for the salt mine tour?
Tickets for Salzwelten Salzburg can be booked online.
More Austria travel
Other Austria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Vienna to Salzburg train times and ticket prices.
- Visiting Salzburg’s Sound of Music locations.
- Why the Sound of Music gazebo is at Hellbrunn Palace.
- Can you walk from Salzburg Airport to the city?
- Is the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck worth the entry fee?
