Mondsee

Just a few minutes south of the autobahn, the Mondsee is the first of the lakes you explore on this itinerary through the lakes and mountains of Salzkammergut(Land of the Salt Mines). At the north tip of the lake is the town of Mondsee with its l7th-century church facing the village square. The beautiful baroque church with its twin steeples, each decorated with a matching clock, was used for the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Drive up the road just behind the church and in a few minutes you will see signs for the outdoor museum Mondseer Rauchhaus (Smoking House), located on a small hill behind the church. Drive up the road just behind the church and in a few minutes you will see signs for the outdoor museum Mondseer Rauchhaus (Smoking House), located on a small hill behind the church. Here you will find several old, very simple farmhouses that show the early Austrian way of life. The main building is reminiscent of early American frontier log cabins. The rooms are furnished with country antiques including a lovely cradle, interesting wooden hand-carved chairs, wonderful old beds, and wooden tables. The smoke that rose from the open fireplace into the attic loft was used for smoking meats. While in Mondsee sample their delicious Mondsee cheese, named for the lake and the town.