The slopes of the Dachstein mountains in Austria are popular with skiing enthusiasts. But after admiring the mountain scenery, many would like to take a peek into the bowels of the Earth. And who would have guessed that the entrance to the underground looks like a brand-new caravan from the outside, but resembles an aeroplane's telescopic ladder on the inside? This is the entrance to the Dachstein Ice Palace, which was created inside the Dachstein Glacier (Salzburgerland Ski Area). This fairytale land is very interesting to visit with children.
The halls of the palace took a year to build, and then Chinese ice sculptors created the decorations and individual interior details. Today, visitors come to the Throne Room, the Crystal Cathedral and the Blue Room as if they were in a museum. Whether the ice throne is comfortable can be checked by any visitor to the cave, just like trying to look through the ice book.
The space of the palace changes with every turn of the corridor: slender columns are suddenly replaced by bizarre shapes, the abstract outlines of which everyone can see something of themselves in. The backlighting adds to the mystery, with blue, green or red light transforming everything beyond recognition. The backlight control panel is accessible to everyone.
And how unusual are the ice sculptures in the palace! Instead of antique statues or figures of famous people, you will find the entire Simpsons family — figures carved out of frozen water with amazing precision. Characters from the popular children's cartoon Ice Age also fit in well. And in one of the halls you can see an ice Formula 1 racing car with confused drivers standing next to it. There are also several sculptures of fairytale characters, the guardians of the palace's treasures.
The exhibition change every year.
Surprisingly, there's a window in the underground kingdom. If you look through it, you will see the inside of the glacier, untouched by man. As the glacier is unaffected by the summer heat, the attraction is open to visitors almost all year round (subject to change).
Notes:
- The Ice Palace can only be reached via the suspension bridge!
- Good shoes and warm clothes are recommended for the visit!
- Dogs are not allowed on the suspension bridge, the stairway to nothingness and in the ice palace!
