Hall in Tirol: Hasegg Mint and Old Town
Where the thaler, ancestor of the dollar, was born
HighlightsTirolPhoto: -wuppertaler, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
Hall in Tirol has the largest preserved old town in Tyrol and grew rich for centuries on salt and coin minting. This private walk visits Hasegg Castle, where the first thaler, ancestor of the dollar, was struck in 1486.
Salt was mined in the Hall Valley above town from the 13th century and boiled in Hall. The salt town on the Inn soon became one of Tyrol's key trading centers, as the merchant houses on the Upper Square show.
In 1477 Archduke Sigmund moved the mint from Merano to Hasegg Castle in Hall. Here the Guldiner, the first large silver coin, was created and later became the thaler. Through the thaler, the name eventually reached the dollar.
Your guide leads you through winding lanes to the Gothic parish church of St. Nicholas, the town hall and the Mint Tower, the town's landmark. On request you visit the Mint Museum and strike a coin yourself.
Highlights
- Hasegg Castle and the Mint Tower
- Birthplace of the thaler
- Upper Square and town hall
- Gothic parish church of St. Nicholas
- Salt history of the Hall Valley
The route
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1Lower Square
Into the salt town
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2Upper Square
Town hall and townhouses
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3St. Nicholas Church
Gothic art and relics
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4Hasegg Castle
Mint and Mint Tower
Who this tour is for
Ideal for history lovers, families and Innsbruck visitors looking for a quieter old town.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees and tickets for cable cars, trains, boats or tastings are not included and are paid on site. Your guide is happy to tell you in advance what to expect.
Is the price per person or per group?
This is a private tour with a licensed Austrian tour guide. The price is per group, not per person, so it is just you and your own party.
Can we strike our own coin?
At the Mint Museum you can strike a coin yourself with guidance. Your guide can add this on request; admission is not included.
