Hall
Hall with its narrow streets and well-preserved medieval old town was high on my list for years since I bought Kurt Hielscher's photo album about Austria. It included five stunning photos of Hall. In April 2026 I managed to rephotograph four of them so later more.
Nagglburg at the Waldaufstraße and Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus in the distance, 1928. Photo: Kurt Hielscher.
Nagglburg at the Waldaufstraße and Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus in the distance, 23rd of April 2026. Photo: Casper Molenaar.
The town's history dates back to the Middle Ages, when it grew wealthy through salt mining—"Hall" itself derives from a word for salt. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it became an important center of trade. Around 1477, the Tyrolean mint was established in Hall, where the famous "thaler" coin was first minted, giving rise to the word "dollar." The town declined somewhat after the mint moved to Innsbruck in the 16th century, but it remained regionally significant and has preserved much of its historical character to this day.
The ceiling of the Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus.
Finishinh dinner at the Oberer Stadplatz at sunset. It was a beautiful day.
Below: View on the characteristic facades of the Salvatorgasse.
