Ludovika Tunnel Inscription

About 200 years after the opening of the Ischl salt mine, the Ludovika Tunnel was opened in 1747. Originally named after Empress Maria Theresia, it was later named after the third wife of Emperor Francis I, Maria Ludovika.

In 1808 and 1814, the imperial couple Emperor Franz I and his wife Maria Ludovika visited the site. Francis I was the first Emperor of Austria and went down in history as the victor over Napoleon in 1814.  A commemorative plaque was attached on each of the two granite obelisks on the occasion of the visit.

This tunnel entrance was the visitor’s entrance of the first salt mine visitors.

Latin Inscription left side

Franciscus I.

Austriae Caesar,

Liberator Europae,

Pater Patriae,

Ferdinandus

Magnus Dux Etruriae,

Antonius et Theresia

Principes Saxoniae,

Perlustraverunt

Salinarum Montes

Anno Domini MDCCCXIV

Translation:

Francis I,

Emperor of Austria,

Liberator of Europe,

Father of the homeland,

Ferdinand

Grand Duke of Tuscany,

Anthony and Maria Theresia

King of Saxony,

visited

the salt mines

in 1814.

Latin Inscription right side

FranCIsCVs I

AVstrIae Caesar

aVgVstVs pIVs

benIgnVs

et

LVDoVICa

aVgVsta

popVLI aLtera parens

VIsItaVerVnt

VnIVersaLI appLaVsV

saLIs JoDInas.

Translation:

Franz I

Emperor of Austria

The noble and devotional

beneficent

und

Ludovika

The noble

another parent to the people

visited

with much jubilation

the salt mines.