A former gypsum mine just outside Vienna is home to a gigantic body of water. Dress warmly, because we’re heading deep underground.
Just about half an hour from the city limits, hidden behind an unassuming facade in Lower Austria ,lies a historical surprise that is quite impressive today.
A blast with far-reaching consequences
In 1912, a massive erroroccurred at the former gypsum mine in Hinterbrühl. During a routine blasting operation, nearly 20 million liters of water suddenly burst into the tunnels and flooded the lower levels.
What at the time meant the immediate end of mining and a total economic loss surprisingly created an impressive natural monument. The water completely filled the deeper shafts, forming Europe’s largest underground lake with an area of 6,200 square meters. Today, information about the site can be found under the name Seegrotte Hinterbrühl.
Gliding silently across the water
Before you even reach the shore, you’ll walk through the old, dimly lit tunnels of the mine. Along the way, you’ll pass old mine cars and get a good sense of just how grueling the work of gypsum mining was over a hundred years ago.
Once you reach the very bottom, you board flat electric boats. You glide almost silently over the extremely clear, mirror-smooth water, while the softly lit rock walls pass by and are reflected on the water’s surface.
It’s a feeling you won’t forget anytime soon, and one where fantasies about eerie horror stories and the past will surely linger long after your visit.
Why You Need a Sweater Even in the Middle of Summer
Deep down in the rock, there are no seasons ;the temperature here remains a constant 9 degrees Celsius. So anyone arriving in August in just a T-shirt will be shivering during the roughly 45-minute tour. Be sure to pack a warm jacket.
One more detail for the movie buffs among you: The dark caves served as the backdrop for the 1990s Hollywood hit The Three Musketeers starring Charlie Sheen. Keep an eye out for the massive rock arches along the shore as you maneuver the boat through the tunnels.
