The picturesque Austrian town of Hallstatt was the inspiration for the fictional kingdom of Arendelle in the 2013 Disney blockbuster Frozen. The film's art director, Mike Giaimo, visited Halstatt while looking for a location for the film and was immediately blown away by the fairy tale setting.
Hallstatt city shrouded in morning mist
Located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, surrounded by towering mountains, Halstatt is a popular tourist destination for its stunning natural beauty. The village has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age and was once a thriving salt mining center. These days, it is a peaceful place where time seems to stand still.
Town of Hallstatt after sunset
It's easy to see why Halstatt was the perfect inspiration for Arendelle. The village has a fairytale quality with ancient houses and cobbled streets. It is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Austria.
The fictional kingdom of Arendelle in Frozen
In Frozen, many of the iconic locations in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle are based on real-life places in and around Halstatt. The film's opening scene is inspired by a picturesque village setting, with snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes. Other notable locations in Frozen include Elsa's ice palace, which is inspired by the real-life ice caves found in the area; and Anna's sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside was filmed at the nearby Obertraun.
Halstatt has become increasingly popular since Frozen's release, with visitors coming from all over the world to see where their favorite films were shot. The village has even been given its own Arendelle Castle, which was built especially for tourists!
