Myths
Nazi gold in Lake Toplitz, perfectly forged pound notes intended to devastate the Allied economy with massive inflation, and mysterious deaths—years after the war and in connection with these events. Immeasurable treasures that were stored in the salt mines of Altaussee and Bad Ischl and were saved from destruction by the Nazis at the last minute through courageous intervention. People who had to flee abroad a few months after the war because they knew too much about the whereabouts of these invaluable treasures.
In the final months before the end of the war, the Salzkammergut was increasingly drawn into the whirlwind of rapidly unfolding events. Even today, there are many rumors and myths about incredible treasures hidden by fleeing Nazi officials or exile governments, either to later reclaim them for a potential Fourth Reich or merely for personal gain. Occasionally, one can still see people casually wandering through the woods with metal detectors.
The idea of the Salzkammergut as a potential atomic target during World War II is a frightening one. The notion that the Allies might have considered using an atomic bomb in this region to destroy a possible Nazi Alpine fortress was indeed real. One of the two atomic bombs was originally intended for Europe. However, the development of the bombs took too long, and by then, the Salzkammergut had already been taken over by the resistance movement and liberated by the Allies.
Another myth surrounding the Salzkammergut is the possible involvement of the Nazi regime in developing an atomic bomb. There is speculation that Nazi scientists might have worked on a tactical atomic bomb, although such claims are met with skepticism. The facility in Ebensee was initially intended for the production of rockets for intercontinental missiles, but it was liberated by US troops before it could become operational. Nevertheless, the region remains a symbol of the horrors of the Nazi regime and the resistance against its tyranny. Despite the dark events, there are also stories of resistance and humanity. People who tried to help concentration camp prisoners by secretly providing food or organizing escape opportunities show humanity even in the darkest hours of history.
Audioguide: About the “IGEL”, the “Hedgehog”
BILD IGEL
More information and a few tips:
https://www.memorial-ebensee.at/index.php/de/start-gedenkstaette
https://www.mauthausen-memorial.org/de
„JEŽEK“, ZLATO V TOPLITZSEE A DALŠÍ MÝTY
AUDIOPRŮVODCE: O „Ježku“
Nacistické zlato v jezeře Toplitzsee, dokonale padělané bankovky, které měly zničit spojenecké hospodářství obrovskou inflací, poklady v jeskyních a tajemná úmrtí – mnoho let po válce a v souvislosti s těmito událostmi. A lidé, kteří museli po válce uprchnout do zahraničí, protože věděli příliš mnoho o osudu těchto pokladů. Salzkammergut se ke konci války stále více zaplétal do víru překotných událostí. Stále kolují zvěsti a mýty o neuvěřitelných pokladech, které prchající nacističtí zločinci ukryli, aby později založili 4. říši nebo se osobně obohatili. Dodnes lze občas spatřit lidi, jak se bez ostychu procházejí lesy s detektory kovů.
Dalším mýtem obklopujícím Salzkammergut je možná účast nacistického režimu na vývoji atomové bomby. Spekuluje se, že nacističtí vědci mohli pracovat na taktické atomové bombě. Zařízení v Ebensee mělo původně sloužit k výrobě raket pro mezikontinentální rakety, ale bylo osvobozeno americkými jednotkami, než mohlo být uvedeno do provozu.