There was a long time, until 1200, that the mine on the Dürrnberg was again used and work
restarted. The medieval miners used hammers and iron pickaxes for building galleries. In
Dürrnberg, miners in 1573 and again in 1616 found the “men in the salt,” 2,000 years old
mummified Celtic bodies perfectly preserved in salt. There were no signs of change other than that
their skin had been colored brown by the effects of the salt. They unfortunately gave them
"Christian burials," and thus, destroyed them. The grave of a Celtic chieftain buried with various
treasures was discovered as recently as 1932. Clues to the ancient miners' diet from preserved
feces were obtained. They ate millet, barley, beans, and apples. The salt they carried out was in
leather rucksacks, and the miners wore woollen clothes and leather slippers. Salt mining at
Dürrnberg was ended on July 31, 1989.
restarted. The medieval miners used hammers and iron pickaxes for building galleries. In
Dürrnberg, miners in 1573 and again in 1616 found the “men in the salt,” 2,000 years old
mummified Celtic bodies perfectly preserved in salt. There were no signs of change other than that
their skin had been colored brown by the effects of the salt. They unfortunately gave them
"Christian burials," and thus, destroyed them. The grave of a Celtic chieftain buried with various
treasures was discovered as recently as 1932. Clues to the ancient miners' diet from preserved
feces were obtained. They ate millet, barley, beans, and apples. The salt they carried out was in
leather rucksacks, and the miners wore woollen clothes and leather slippers. Salt mining at
Dürrnberg was ended on July 31, 1989.
The salt springs which emerged from horizontal tunnels in the valley sides
were actually the ancient galleries into the old flooded salt mines that had
been worked in prehistoric times, a fact that later miners were unaware
of. One tunnel the miners worked in went all the way through from
Dürrnberg to Berchtesgaden, and disputes over property rights and
boundaries were common among the neighboring rulers.
were actually the ancient galleries into the old flooded salt mines that had
been worked in prehistoric times, a fact that later miners were unaware
of. One tunnel the miners worked in went all the way through from
Dürrnberg to Berchtesgaden, and disputes over property rights and
boundaries were common among the neighboring rulers.
In early times, salt was a valuable food preservative and almost as
highly prized as gold, and trade links were established with the
Mediterranean regions. Dürrnberg is also home to a major Celtic site
dating from 500-300 BC., and the mountainous area contains several
large areas of ancient salt-mining dating from this period.
highly prized as gold, and trade links were established with the
Mediterranean regions. Dürrnberg is also home to a major Celtic site
dating from 500-300 BC., and the mountainous area contains several
large areas of ancient salt-mining dating from this period.
In the earliest mines of the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., salt was extracted from the mountain in
solid form. At the height of prehistoric mining, Dürrnberg salt was traded from the Baltic Sea as far
as Italy, and from France as far as Hungary. From the 7th century BC, Celtic people lived in the
area of today's salt mines around nearby Hallstatt, a large prehistoric salt-mining area. The
"Hallstatt period," c.750 - 450 BC, is named after this region rich in archaeological evidence. With
simple tools made of wood and bronze the Celts had built underground tunnels by hand up to 300
metres deep into the mountain to reach the valuable salt deposits. Salt was the main commodity
used by the Celts for trading.
solid form. At the height of prehistoric mining, Dürrnberg salt was traded from the Baltic Sea as far
as Italy, and from France as far as Hungary. From the 7th century BC, Celtic people lived in the
area of today's salt mines around nearby Hallstatt, a large prehistoric salt-mining area. The
"Hallstatt period," c.750 - 450 BC, is named after this region rich in archaeological evidence. With
simple tools made of wood and bronze the Celts had built underground tunnels by hand up to 300
metres deep into the mountain to reach the valuable salt deposits. Salt was the main commodity
used by the Celts for trading.
Some illustrations above are from a 19th century souvenir booklet for
tourists published by J. Stiessberger. The entrance to the Dürrnberg
mine is shown on the left. As the mine's importance decreased, it grew
into a tourist attraction, and even today there are tours in the mine.
Dürrnberg is today called Bad Dürrnberg for its tourist spas which came
about when mining ceased.
tourists published by J. Stiessberger. The entrance to the Dürrnberg
mine is shown on the left. As the mine's importance decreased, it grew
into a tourist attraction, and even today there are tours in the mine.
Dürrnberg is today called Bad Dürrnberg for its tourist spas which came
about when mining ceased.
The songs of the miners expressed the daily threat of danger, but also joy in their work. Numerous
folksongs and tales from the various mining regions resounded through the ages as well, many
which have long since vanished from memory.The mountainfolk always sang and danced, making
music out of easily available implements. In the country, musical instruments included the goat’s
horn, alphorn, willow pipe, jingle bells, whips, thunder sticks and a stick and chain. Other objects
joined in the merry making, such as aged brass instruments, pans and pot lids and violin-dulcimers
or Hackbretts. Similar to a hammered dulcimer, the German Hackbrett evolved from the string
drum early in the 15th century. It was a rectangular instrument strung with metal strings and struck
with two hammers. Also used were harps, zithers, fiddles and (later) hurdy-gurdys and accordions.
folksongs and tales from the various mining regions resounded through the ages as well, many
which have long since vanished from memory.The mountainfolk always sang and danced, making
music out of easily available implements. In the country, musical instruments included the goat’s
horn, alphorn, willow pipe, jingle bells, whips, thunder sticks and a stick and chain. Other objects
joined in the merry making, such as aged brass instruments, pans and pot lids and violin-dulcimers
or Hackbretts. Similar to a hammered dulcimer, the German Hackbrett evolved from the string
drum early in the 15th century. It was a rectangular instrument strung with metal strings and struck
with two hammers. Also used were harps, zithers, fiddles and (later) hurdy-gurdys and accordions.
It is recorded that throughout the alpine regions, song was heard everywhere, from the farmhands
singing while doing their chores to impish boys singing bawdy songs in the village. Dancing was
equally as popular whenever allowed and many an inn in the major towns had its own dance hall
even in the 15th century, and theater halls served as dance halls in the 16th and 17th centuries in
some areas. Even schools and parsonages were sometimes put to use as dance halls. Under Duke
Sigmund and Emperor Maximilian, royal guests enjoyed the dance, and some heads of government
actually encouraged the burghers to dance in the 16th century. But dances were sometimes
boisterous on such occasions as church dedication days, and were often stopped at the instigation
of Jesuit missions. In January, 1663 the Bishop of Trent prohibited dances in general in a decree
that threatened to punish anyone, including the musicians, who went to a ball. Before becoming
Archbishop of Salzburg, Bishop Leopold Firmian vehemently attempted to curtail the much loved
dancing. None of the bans, however, stopped young people from dancing on mountain meadows.
singing while doing their chores to impish boys singing bawdy songs in the village. Dancing was
equally as popular whenever allowed and many an inn in the major towns had its own dance hall
even in the 15th century, and theater halls served as dance halls in the 16th and 17th centuries in
some areas. Even schools and parsonages were sometimes put to use as dance halls. Under Duke
Sigmund and Emperor Maximilian, royal guests enjoyed the dance, and some heads of government
actually encouraged the burghers to dance in the 16th century. But dances were sometimes
boisterous on such occasions as church dedication days, and were often stopped at the instigation
of Jesuit missions. In January, 1663 the Bishop of Trent prohibited dances in general in a decree
that threatened to punish anyone, including the musicians, who went to a ball. Before becoming
Archbishop of Salzburg, Bishop Leopold Firmian vehemently attempted to curtail the much loved
dancing. None of the bans, however, stopped young people from dancing on mountain meadows.
| Plain Old Mountain Music |
Earlier mining: To The Schwazer Bergbuch
There was danger involved with every aspect of mining, and great disasters occurred in the history
of salt mining at Dürrnberg, but being a miner was still considered a privilege with good pay and
modern job benefits, and the occupation tended to stay within families.
of salt mining at Dürrnberg, but being a miner was still considered a privilege with good pay and
modern job benefits, and the occupation tended to stay within families.
The Knappenfahne, right, dates from 1586, and shows the unique
sword dance of the Dürrnberg miners who were paid to perform. They
entertained the Archbishops, and danced by torch light in a round chain
dance dressed in their trachten, depicting the skills and customs of the
work in 12 scenes. In the 16th and 17th Century, 16 dancers took part
and the performance took from 45 to 90 minutes and included a bow of
respect to sponsors and guests. It eventually grew to include 20 dancers,
up to 30 torch holders and included a 50 man chorus. Such dancing had
been around since ancient times in German regions, however, and was
even recorded by the Roman historian Tacitus who commented:
sword dance of the Dürrnberg miners who were paid to perform. They
entertained the Archbishops, and danced by torch light in a round chain
dance dressed in their trachten, depicting the skills and customs of the
work in 12 scenes. In the 16th and 17th Century, 16 dancers took part
and the performance took from 45 to 90 minutes and included a bow of
respect to sponsors and guests. It eventually grew to include 20 dancers,
up to 30 torch holders and included a 50 man chorus. Such dancing had
been around since ancient times in German regions, however, and was
even recorded by the Roman historian Tacitus who commented:
During the evaporation, which ran from Monday until Saturday, the hot and damp salt was pulled
from the pan every two hours and put into conical wood containers, tapped down, and after a short
time pulled from the form. These heavy salt plugs were dragged by carriers into the baking ovens,
Pfieseln. After the drying, the salt cones were smashed into thumb size pieces for transportation
barrels. Other aspects of the industry involved the packing and transport of salt.
from the pan every two hours and put into conical wood containers, tapped down, and after a short
time pulled from the form. These heavy salt plugs were dragged by carriers into the baking ovens,
Pfieseln. After the drying, the salt cones were smashed into thumb size pieces for transportation
barrels. Other aspects of the industry involved the packing and transport of salt.
Boiling houses for the salt were built of local lumber, and as the sources of fuel dwindled, the
boiling houses were moved. This enriched the lumber trade in the area. The wood industry was
crucial for Salt pans, barrels and other implements.
boiling houses were moved. This enriched the lumber trade in the area. The wood industry was
crucial for Salt pans, barrels and other implements.
Shift-work in the mines began on Monday morning and ended at
lunchtime on Saturday. The miners, sitting on a "saddlecloth", slid
down into the mine on a banister-like contraption. Up to the middle
of the 19th century, the saline solution produced in the solution
chambers of the mine was transported to the various Sudhäuser,
or salt houses, in the town where it was processed.
lunchtime on Saturday. The miners, sitting on a "saddlecloth", slid
down into the mine on a banister-like contraption. Up to the middle
of the 19th century, the saline solution produced in the solution
chambers of the mine was transported to the various Sudhäuser,
or salt houses, in the town where it was processed.
The main feature of the Sudhäuser was a big, flat, horse shoe shaped salt pan, a Sudpfanne, built
of riveted metal which was suspended from the ceiling by hooks and supported underneath by
brick columns. Boiling is the oldest method of extracting salt. The brine taken from the salt mine
was heated until the water had completely evaporated and the pure white salt has crystallized.
of riveted metal which was suspended from the ceiling by hooks and supported underneath by
brick columns. Boiling is the oldest method of extracting salt. The brine taken from the salt mine
was heated until the water had completely evaporated and the pure white salt has crystallized.
| “One public diversion which is constantly exhibited at all of their meetings, the young, whose men by frequent exercise have attained great perfection in that pastime, strip themselves, and dance among the points of swords and spears with the most wonderful agility, and even with the most elegant and graceful motions. They do perform this dance for hire, but usually for the entertainment of spectators, where applause is sufficient reward.” |
Salt mining took place for centuries in the Salzkammergut long before
the Salzburg Archbishops opened salt works around Hallein in
1200AD. By medieval times, salt was transported by ships to Passau
and on to Frankonia, Bohemia, into present day Lower Austria and to
Moravia by cart. The salt crossed the rugged Tauern mountains and
reached as far as Carinthia and East Tyrol. On the river Salzach at
Hallein, 119 tons of Dürrnberg salt was shipped daily each spring
when the river Salzach was navigable until it reached the Danube.
Two-thirds of the Hallein salt was transported on the Salzach, with
ship building being a side industry.
the Salzburg Archbishops opened salt works around Hallein in
1200AD. By medieval times, salt was transported by ships to Passau
and on to Frankonia, Bohemia, into present day Lower Austria and to
Moravia by cart. The salt crossed the rugged Tauern mountains and
reached as far as Carinthia and East Tyrol. On the river Salzach at
Hallein, 119 tons of Dürrnberg salt was shipped daily each spring
when the river Salzach was navigable until it reached the Danube.
Two-thirds of the Hallein salt was transported on the Salzach, with
ship building being a side industry.
Dürrnberg is part of the administrative district of the Tennengau, named for the Tennen massif, a
division of the Salzach Valley south of Salzburg framed by rolling hills, woodlands, waterfalls and
some historic houses called the Tennengauer Einhöfe. Living accommodations were quite simple
for the miners and farmers in the area around the mines. If a house and its farm buildings were
built parallel to each other, they were called a pair-höfe. If they are combined under one roof,
they are called an Einhöfe, hof meaning hall or court. Aside from the Einhof type, there were also
Zwiehof, Haufenhof, Gruppenhof, Mehrseithof, Hakenhof, Streckhof and others.
division of the Salzach Valley south of Salzburg framed by rolling hills, woodlands, waterfalls and
some historic houses called the Tennengauer Einhöfe. Living accommodations were quite simple
for the miners and farmers in the area around the mines. If a house and its farm buildings were
built parallel to each other, they were called a pair-höfe. If they are combined under one roof,
they are called an Einhöfe, hof meaning hall or court. Aside from the Einhof type, there were also
Zwiehof, Haufenhof, Gruppenhof, Mehrseithof, Hakenhof, Streckhof and others.
The Dürrnbergers of the 16th and 17th centuries lived in these large one-building farmsteads with
farm buildings and living units combined under one roof and linked with a connecting hall. In the
Einhöfe, sometimes two families lived under the one roof in a “common house” with their own
rooms above, and kitchens and stable areas opening to the unlocked central common corridor on
the ground floor. These large houses were heated by large, decoratively tiled wood fireplace-
furnaces which existed from the 16th century, with a smoke oven and sleeping shelf.
farm buildings and living units combined under one roof and linked with a connecting hall. In the
Einhöfe, sometimes two families lived under the one roof in a “common house” with their own
rooms above, and kitchens and stable areas opening to the unlocked central common corridor on
the ground floor. These large houses were heated by large, decoratively tiled wood fireplace-
furnaces which existed from the 16th century, with a smoke oven and sleeping shelf.
| Country Living |
Klick on Der Schwerttanz
Joseph Schaitberger