Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee

Bad Goisern is a World Heritage Site and, together with Hallstatt, Obertraun and Gosau, looks back on 7000 years of eventful history, shaped by salt mining. The unique thing about it – there is no other place in the world where mining has been continuously documented over such a long period of time and is still relevant today. In the glorious times of salt mining, Goisern had always played the role of a supply center, be it with wood or food. Protestantism has left its mark on the place and has fallen on nourishing soil. Old Bible smugglers’ paths and secret churches still bear witness to how the Protestant faith found its way into the Inner Salzkammergut.

Bad Goisern has about 7500 inhabitants, each and every one of them an original. Just like the landscape – rugged mountains and in front of them fields and meadows that shine bright green in the summer sun and make the air smell fragrant. The Hallstättersee in the south together with the Krippenstein provide a unique panorama and great photo motifs. Numerous hiking trails and mountain bike trails lead to the most beautiful views, many of them with a direct view of the Dachstein glacier.

There is even the profile of a Native American perceived in the shape of the Goiserer Kalmberg. Again, one of those contrasts. Not so regarding the culture & tradition, which is special to Bad Goisern and is partly cultivated for centuries with particular straightness. Five brass bands, four fire departments and countless clubs ensure an eventful village life. Music festivals, vintage car rides, beer tents, mountain bike races, circus weeks for children, craft markets, chamois hunting days, ski jumping cups and much more fill a varied calendar of events.

The name Goisern is known in the German-speaking world, not least through Hubert von Goisern. One of the town’s best-known exports, if you will. Before Hubert, Goisern was a household name for the coarsely sewn Goiserer Schuh. And fortunately it still is, thanks to the industrious master shoemaker Phillip Schwarz, who still makes the shoes by hand in his workshop. Musical craftsmanship creating violins and other instruments is also an important part of Bad Goisern. Especially where every year in September hundreds of violin players come together for the Aufgeigen in the Kirchengasse and celebrate the violin music. These are just a few glimpses of the craftsmanship that exists in the village. Traditional handicrafts can be found in concentrated form in the village center, and Neuwildenstein Castle is home to the Hand.Werk.Haus. Salzkammergut is accommodated. Changing exhibitions on two floors and an exquisite store on the first floor are included.

Today Bad Goisern is not only a place of hard work, because that is what the people of the Salzkammergut have always been good at, it is a place of recreation, culture and craftsmanship. Traditions are lived and nature is appreciated. Much of this can be experienced in 2024 and should not be missed.