Mondsee | |
---|---|
With Drachenwand mountain in the background
|
|
Location | Salzkammergut |
Coordinates | 47°49′N 13°23′E / 47.817°N 13.383°ECoordinates: 47°49′N 13°23′E / 47.817°N 13.383°E |
Primary inflows | Fuschler Ache, Zeller Ache |
Primary outflows | Seeache |
Basin countries | Austria |
Surface area | 14.2 km2 (5.5 sq mi) |
Max. depth | 68 m (223 ft) |
Surface elevation | 481 m (1,578 ft) |
Settlements | Mondsee |
Mondsee (Moon Lake) is a lake in the Upper Austrian part of the Salzkammergut and near the larger Attersee. Its southwestern shore marks the border between the states of Upper Austria and Salzburg and also between the Northern Limestone Alps in the south and the Sandstone zone of the northern Alps. The Drachenwand (Dragonwall) at the southern shore of the lake is an impressive sight. Mondsee is one of Austria's last privately owned lakes. In August 2008, owner Nicolette Wächter owner announced it was up for sale.
In 1864, remains of neolithic pile dwellings were discovered in the lake.
Two bacterial strains isolated from Lake Mondsee were recognized as new species and described as Polynucleobacter cosmopolitanus and Polynucleobacter duraquae, respectively. Both species are non-pathogenic and dwell in the lake as part of its bacterioplankton.
Fish living in the lake:
Ian Fleming mentions the Mondsee in one of his James Bond novels, Thunderball. In chapter six,Blofeld reports to the members of SMERSH that their German unit has successfully retrieved in secret Himmler's hoard of jewels from Lake Mondsee.