Underground Fairy Tale Kingdom

Underground Fairy Tale Kingdom

Attraction Introduction

Europe’s largest underground lake and one of Austria’s top tourist destinations, known as the Underground Fairy Tale Kingdom. It is located in Hinterbrühl, west of Vienna, covering an area of 6,200 square meters. To access the underground lake, visitors must pass through a tunnel over one person tall and about 450 meters long. Today’s underground lake was once a gypsum mine in earlier years. In 1912, blasting deep in the mine released a spring that nearly flooded everything underground. It was used as an underground aircraft factory by Hitler's fascist regime during World War II.

At the end of the tunnel on the left is a hall formed after gypsum mining that can accommodate 3,000 people. It served as the miners’ auditorium and bar back then. During festivals, candles were lit on both sides of the hall where workers celebrated the holidays. To preserve its historic look, the space is still lit with candles today. The Barbara Chapel was a place where workers prayed and features a statue of Saint Barbara. Entering the underground lake feels like stepping into a maze, making it hard to distinguish directions. Walking down further along layers of stone steps leads to the lake. The lake surface is about 100 meters below ground level, with blue-tinted water. Motorboats are available on the lake, offering a unique experience for visitors to tour the scenery from the water.

Austria, Vienna