Summary of iiSBE AGM & SB13 Graz (Part: 6)
![]() Austria has three salt cave regions: Salzwelten Salzburg, Salzwelten Altaussee and Salzwelten Hallstatt. This time, we visited Salzwelten Salzburg. Before entering the mine everyone must change into miner clothing and then slide down into the mine along wooden rails on the small train (obersteinberg-stollen) that miners once used. We then toured the mine located 11.88 meters under the ground where the mining supports and salt veins everywhere. The high temperature and thin air 11.88 meters under the ground meant the miners had a very difficult job to do. Here and there in the mine were videos on the history of mining and the salt mine. Mannequins were also used to recreate how salt was mined in prehistoric mines. The mine featured a "man in salt" display formed after miners were buried by a cave-in. The digging tools left behind and scene of the accident itself are now a precious historic site. The technique used for salt mining led to the creation of an underground salt lake in each mining region as well. The way that the perfectly still lake surface reflected the lake bottom created a fantastic sight when combined with colored lighting. ![]() At the end of the day, the delegation continued on to Salzburg, the hometown of Mozart, the child music genius, and the fourth largest city in Austria. 2013年9月29日一早,考察團前往梅爾克修道院,修道院位於下奧地利州梅爾克鎮的山岩上,此處高約六十米,一面俯瞰多瑙河,比鄰瓦豪河谷,過去是羅馬帝國時代的軍事城堡,西元1702年至1736年由雅格布‧普蘭陶爾(Jakob Prandtauer)重新設計興建,修道院是巴洛克式建築的傑作,外觀為鵝黃與白相間的顏色,教堂東西長320公尺,高聳入雲的尖塔高65公尺,雕飾及造型非常獨特,遠觀十分宏偉。 ![]() 教堂中金碧輝煌,處處鑲金,訴說著此處曾經歷的輝煌,也顯露其貴氣,因神聖羅馬帝國王室是主要贊助者,所以也以宗教影響力維持政局穩定,宗教對當時社會政治的影響從教堂內的擺飾即可窺見一二,雖教堂地處偏遠,但權貴絡繹於途,修士要在此富麗堂皇的教堂內隱修,恐怕是難隱也難修。 The interior of the church was very ornate with gold-plating everywhere, evidence of the Abbey's wealth and old glories. As the imperial family of the Holy Roman Empire was its main sponsor, the power of religion was used to ensure political stability as well. The influence of religion on the society and politics of the time can be seen from the decorations inside the church. Despite the church's remote location, it was frequently visited by the rich and powerful. It would not have been easy for monks to find quiet and solitude in such a magnificent church. ![]() After leaving the Melk Abbey, we continued on to Duernstein. This small town is just 73 km from Vienna and the legends say that in 1192 A.D., Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was secretly imprisoned in the old Kuenringer castle at the top of the mountain by Leopold V, the Duke of Austria, after falling out over how the spoils of war were to be divided. During our tour, we discovered many old buildings and specialty shops in the town that mainly sold souvenirs, chocolates as well as almond-based foods and wine. Despite the nearby Danube River, picturesque scenery, idyllic atmosphere and sense of history, the townscape seemed rather mundane compared to other Austrian towns. The addition of historical legends however added interest for visitors and appeared to be the best way of packaging and marketing historic sites. When the tour was finished, the delegation went on to stay at Vienna. |