Located on the banks of the picturesque Lake Traunsee, Gmunden achieved its first contemporary claim to fame through the television series “Schlosshotel Orth”, which was located here. The historical Old Town, with grand town houses and facades from the 15th and 18th century, was the most important salt metropolis during the imperial reign. The main imperial salt crew ensured that the “white gold” was taken across Lake Traunsee in barges to Gmunden, from where it was distributed around the whole Imperial and Royal realm. Many of the upper nobility and the emperor’s entourage chose Gmunden as a summer resort during the monarchy, and many artists were also very taken with the unique landscape around Gmunden. Thus, artists from far and wide, such as the composers Brahms and Schubert, and poets Lenau, Hebbel and Scheffel came to the beautiful Lake Traunsee as a summer resort.