Traun (German: [ˈtʁaʊn] ⓘ) is a river in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.

However, this secluded and inhospitable landscape nevertheless counts as one of the first places of human settlement due to the rich sources of natural salt, which was mined for thousands of years, originally in the shape of hearts.

Some of Hallstatt's oldest archaeological finds, such as a shoe-last celt – a long thin stone tool used to fell trees and to work wood – date back to around 5000 B.C.

Active trade and thus wealth allowed for the development of a highly sophisticated society, hence the term Hallstatt culture.

A collection of elaborately decorated skulls with the owners' names, professions, death dates inscribed on them is on display at the local chapel.