Hasegg Castle

Hall in Tirol, Austria

Hasegg Castle construction was completed soon after 1300, when Hall was rapidly becoming the center of Tyrolean commerce and salt mining. The building was originally erected to protect the salt mines, the shipping industry, the bridge across the river Inn and the old Roman Road. The castle's mint was established by Sigismund, Archduke of Austria in 1477. The first dollar-size silver coin was struck in 1486.

When Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria had the old mint transferred from the Castle of Sparberegg to Hasegg in 1567, Hall experienced a decisive upswing. Between 1748 and 1768, Hasegg Castle became universally famous for its minting of silver Thalers of which it produced over 17 million specimens.

The mint ceased production in 1806 due to the Napoleonic Wars and the increasing lack of local silver resources.

The mint in Hasegg Castle is a museum now, and open to the general public. Demonstrations of historical minting techniques are given from time to time. The castle itself is an example of early Gothic era Tirolean fortress architecture. The pointed roof of the mint tower is of heavily tarnished copper.

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Address

Burg Hasegg 5, Hall in Tirol, Austria
See all sites in Hall in Tirol

Details

Founded: c. 1300
Category: Castles and fortifications in Austria

More Information

www.tyrol.tl
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


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Hall in Tirol Abbey (0,3 km)


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Hofburg (8,6 km)
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Hofkirche (8,5 km)
Ettal Abbey (44,8 km)
Benediktbeuern Abbey (48,3 km)
Tegernsee Abbey (51,1 km)
Bruneck Castle (63,1 km)
Wilten Abbey (8,6 km)

User Reviews

Gio Lodovico Baglioni (2 years ago)
Nice castle and interesting tower. From the tower very nice view on the village and the valley. ...tickets not too cheap ...
Valentin Elefteriu (2 years ago)
Julian le Play!!
david stuart (2 years ago)
Very cool museum on the history of minting coins and the use of currency. They give you an audio device that you carry around the museum to listen to information about each exhibit. Im not sure how many languages the recordings are in but they have at least english and german. In the gift shop you can mint your own coin as a suveneir. At 2.5 euro to mint a copper coin it definitely feels worth it. The minting machine doesnt require too much strength so younger kids should be able to mint their own coins too! Of course the rest of the museum is probably more interesting for adults. I highly reccomend a visit to the Hall Mint if you find yourself in the area and have time.
Martin Neuwirth (3 years ago)
interesting museum in an interesting building. you can purchase a combi ticket for the museum and the tower. the interesting fact is, that only in the tower there are restrooms. the tower offers a view from high above although the windows were cluttered with thousands of flies.
Natalia Skawińska (4 years ago)
Fantastic mint-turned-museum. I left with a lot of knowledge on how coins were minted in the old days. One can see old machines, there is a lot to read and a good lecture on the history of the tallar. Recommend.
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