Hall in Tirol

“Mint Tower”The Münzerturm, Hall in Tirol, Austria.

Hall in Tirol, town, western Austria. It lies along the Inn River just east of Innsbruck. A settlement grew up about 1260 around the nearby salt mines. Chartered in 1303, the town in 1477 was granted a mint, which after 1567 was housed in the Münzerturm (“Mint Tower”). The town retains its late medieval character, with narrow streets, quaint houses, and remains of the town walls and moats. Landmarks include the Gothic-style St. Nikolaus parish church (1281; extended 1436; rebuilt in the 18th century), the town hall (1447), the Stiftskirche (1507; the oldest Renaissance church in Tirol), the Damenstift (1566; a former nunnery), and the Fürstenhaus (1751). Hall in Tirol is a spa town with mineral springs. Its salt deposits were worked until the late 20th century; the town subsequently capitalized on that legacy with tourist attractions such as the Hall in Tirol Mining Museum. Specialized textiles are produced, and tanning and brewing are carried on. The town is also a market center for the surrounding area. Many residents commute to Innsbruck for work. Pop. (2024 est.) 14,755.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.