travel europe austria hallstatt around the town
Our first trip to Halstatt was late in 1991, well after the tourist season, and we arrived rather late on a cool dark night.
We had read that Halstatt had been home to some strong Nazi supporters and, not speaking German, we felt rather alone and strangely out of place.
Walking the narrow, dark streets looking for a late supper, we encountered several rowdy teens in masks, laughing, yelling, and running aggressively through the streets and alley ways.
As we finally approached the lights of a potential restaurant, a child of about 7, dressed in a dark cloak and hood, approached us and tentatively swatted at our legs with a switch.
Not far behind the child was his young father grinning rather sheepishly. We were wondering if we had made a mistake coming here.
We later found out that many alpine communities celebrate Krampus, a December holiday tradition with many variations.
In one version of Krampus, older children dress up in grotesque masks and costumes representing Krampus and roam the streets punishing "bad" children.
In this version, Krampus represents the antithisis of St. Nicholas who then rewards "good" children with gifts.
In another version of Krampus, children dress up in grotesque costumes and run through the streets to scare away demons.
Whatever version of Krampus they celebrated in Halstatt, it was one of those unexpected travel experiences I will treasure and never forget.
On this first trip, we discovered Gastof Simony.
This clean and creaky old inn is beautifully located on the lakefront at one corner of the square.
We really enjoyed our stay and returned there again in 1994. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the lake was especially nice.
TRAVEL: 1991, 1994, 1999, 2017...
This location has earned a five star rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
*****
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Overview of the village laid out along the lake at the foot of the mountain with the tram up to the saltmine, Hallstatt, Austria, 2017.
The beautiful waterfront as we first fell in love with it in 1991, Hallstatt, Austria, 1991.
A view of the same area where the ferry docks, from the lake, Hallstatt, Austria, 2017.
The Parish Church with it's cemetery and St. Michael's Chapel with its bonehouse can be seen on the right above town.
Arial view from the funicular with the small Marktplatz in the center, Hallstatt, Austria, 1994.
Friends Rose and Bree Rahn with Ryan along the waterfront street into Hallstatt, Austria, 1994.
Another view of homes above the waterfront street, Hallstatt, Austria, 2017.
Wyatt at an old fountain, Halstatt, Austria, 1994.
A beautiful old stone building, Halstatt, Austria, 1994.
Wyatt and Ryan wrestle on a swimming raft, Halstatt, Austria, 1994.
copyright d holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised march 2020