Kreissenloch

Slipping through time, we find ourselves at the mouth of Kreissenloch. This isn’t just any cave entrance. Kreissenloch whispers tales of prehistoric Salzburgians. These early inhabitants, drawn to the Untersberg and Dürrnberg areas, left their mark. Stone tools and settlement traces paint a picture of their lives. They were resourceful, utilizing the region’s bounty. This included the “white gold” – salt. Archaeological evidence suggests they mined and traded salt, laying the groundwork for Salzburg’s later prominence. Kreissenloch, therefore, stands as a silent testament to their ingenuity. It connects us to the very beginnings of human activity in this region. Fast forward to the arrival of the Celts. They recognized the value of this location. The Celts, particularly the Noric tribe, established a thriving salt industry. They extracted and traded this precious commodity. Their settlement on Mönchsberg hill is considered a precursor to Salzburg itself. Now, imagine Salzburg in Roman times. The Romans conquered the area in 15 BC. They established the city of Iuvavum, a significant commercial and administrative hub. They built roads, bridges, and public structures, shaping the landscape. Salt continued to be a key resource. But, Kreissenloch reminds us that even before the grandeur of Iuvavum, human activity flourished here. It links us to the very roots of Salzburg’s story.