Exploring Salzburg: Must-See Attractions In Austria's Cultural Hub

Salzburg, Austria is a city steeped in history and culture. From its impressive architecture to its musical heritage, there is plenty to see and do in this picturesque city.

The city is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the classical composer Mozart, and music lovers will find plenty to enjoy, including the Salzburg Festival, a six-week celebration of classical music, opera and theatre.

Salzburg is also famous for its role in the film 'The Sound of Music', and visitors can take tours of the film locations.

The city boasts an impressive Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of beautiful Baroque architecture, historical buildings, and quaint side streets.

Other notable attractions include the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains, and the Museum of Modern Art.

With its stunning scenery, rich history, and vibrant cultural life, Salzburg truly has something for everyone.

Fortress Hohensalzburg

The fortress was built by Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein in 1077, with a basic bailey and wooden wall. Over the centuries, it was expanded by various prince-archbishops of Salzburg, who were already powerful political figures in the Holy Roman Empire. The ring walls and towers were added in 1462, and the fortress took on its present appearance around 1500 under Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach.

The original purpose of the fortress was to protect the principality and the archbishops from enemy attacks. The only time it came under siege was during the German Peasants' War in 1525, when it successfully resisted an attempt by a group of miners, farmers, and townspeople to oust Prince-Archbishop Matthäus Lang.

The Prince-Bishop's apartments are located in the "Hoher Stock" (high floor), and the Golden Chamber is one of the most magnificently furnished rooms, with benches covered in vines, grapes, foliage, and animal decorations. The bedchamber, the most intimate room, still has its original wainscoting, decorated with gilded buttons and rosettes.

The fortress is also known for the "Salzburg Bull" (Salzburger Stier), a large aerophone of more than 200 pipes built into the Krautturm tower. This mechanical organ was constructed in 1502 and renovated in 1735. It plays daily at 7 am, 11 am, and 6 pm from Palm Sunday to 31 October, accompanying the carillon at the Residenzplatz.

Old Town

Salzburg's Old Town, or Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city's nucleus. It is one of the largest World Heritage Sites by area and boasts medieval and Baroque architecture, quaint little side streets, and beautifully designed squares.

The Old Town is a great place to start your time in Salzburg. You could easily spend a day wandering its streets, admiring the sights, and enjoying a coffee or some shopping. The Mönchsberg, the rock that looms 1,700 feet above the Old Town, offers wooded paths and majestic views of the city and the Alps.

The Old Town is also home to many of the city's main attractions, including Mozart's Birthplace, the Getreidegasse, and Mozartplatz Square. The narrow Getreidegasse is a standout destination for shopping, with fine jewellery, fashion, antiques, traditional costumes, and boutiques. Mozartplatz Square, in the centre of the Old Town, is dominated by an ornate bronze statue of Mozart, unveiled in the presence of his sons in the 1800s.

The Old Town is also a great place to enjoy the local cuisine. Bärenwirt, a warm, woody, hunting lodge-style tavern, has been serving up traditional Austrian dishes since 1663. For something a little more modern, 220Grad, a sleek, speciality coffee shop, serves health-conscious dishes.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is a must-see attraction in Salzburg, offering a delightful mix of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Here is a detailed guide to help you explore this magnificent site:

History and Architecture

The Mirabell Palace, originally called Schloss Altenau, was built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau for his mistress, Salome Alt, and their 15 children. The palace served as a pleasure palace, providing a retreat for the Archbishop, who suffered from gout and wished to avoid the narrow streets of the city. The palace was renamed Schloss Mirabell, derived from the Italian words "mirabile" and "bella", meaning "wonderful" and "beautiful", by the Archbishop's successor, Marcus Sittikus, after he expelled Salome and her family. Over the centuries, the palace underwent renovations and was rebuilt in a lavish Baroque style from 1721 to 1727. Today, it houses the offices of the Salzburg mayor and the municipal administration.

The Gardens

The Mirabell Gardens, designed by Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, showcase a geometrical layout characteristic of the Baroque age. The gardens feature a large parterre with a central fountain and four groups of figures by Ottavio Mosto, representing the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. The small parterre boasts the famous Pegasus fountain, commissioned in 1661 by Archbishop Guidobald von Thun. The Heckentheater, one of the oldest hedge theatres north of the Alps, hosts folkloric events in the summer. The Zwergerlgarten, or Dwarf Garden, dates back to the reign of Archbishop Johann Ernst Graf Thun and is the oldest dwarf garden in Europe, with 17 original dwarfs still preserved. The gardens offer a grandiose view of the Cathedral and Fortress, seamlessly integrating into the historic townscape.

Sound of Music Connections

The Mirabell Gardens are famously recognised as one of the principal settings in the iconic film, The Sound of Music. Maria and the von Trapp children danced around the Pegasus fountain, singing "Do-Re-Mi", and lined up on the steps leading to the Rosenhügel for the finale. The unique perspective of the gardens with the palace in the background has become world-renowned due to this film.

Concerts and Weddings

The Marble Hall, or Marmorsaal, in the Mirabell Palace is a highlight of the site. Adorned with marble pillars, opulent stucco, and ceiling frescoes, it was formerly the prince-archbishop's banqueting hall. Today, it serves as a venue for concerts, weddings, conferences, and awards ceremonies. Leopold Mozart and his children, Wolfgang and Nannerl, once performed in this enchanting hall.

Mozart's Residence

Salzburg is a city steeped in history and culture, and one of its most famous residents was, of course, Mozart. The Mozart Residence, or 'Mozart Wohnhaus', is a must-see for any classical music fan.

History of the Mozart Residence

The building that now houses the Mozart museum has an interesting history. It was originally constructed in 1617 and consisted of two buildings until 1685. It earned the name "Dance Master's House" in 1713 when it became a place for dancing lessons for the nobility. The Mozart family moved into the first-floor apartment in 1773, after their third trip to Vienna. The family had outgrown their previous home, where Mozart was born, and needed more space to host social gatherings. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived at the Mozart Residence until he moved to Vienna in 1781.

The Museum

The Mozart Residence is now a museum, which opened in 1996. Visitors can see Mozart's pianoforte, original documents, portraits, and learn about the history of the house and the Mozart family. The exhibition includes a multi-vision show, rotating exhibitions, and concerts. The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers an audio guide.

Location

The Mozart Residence is located on Makartplatz Square in the Old Town of Salzburg, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is full of historical buildings, beautiful squares, and quaint side streets to explore.

Other Mozart Attractions in Salzburg

If you're a Mozart enthusiast, there are several other attractions in Salzburg that you may enjoy. Mozart's Birthplace, located on Getreidegasse, is one of the most visited museums in Austria. It was opened by the International Mozarteum Foundation in 1880 and features original rooms, a reconstructed middle-class apartment, and original instruments, including Mozart's violin and clavichord.

In addition to these museums, Mozart fans can enjoy chamber music concerts at the Marmorsaal (Marble Hall) in Schloss Mirabell, and the annual Mozart Week, which includes guided tours and events celebrating the composer.

Hellbrunn Palace

History and Architecture

The Trick Fountains

One of the main attractions of Hellbrunn Palace is its famous trick fountains, also known as "watergames" or "water automats". These fountains were conceived by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus, who had a keen sense of humour. He designed a series of practical jokes to be played on his guests, incorporating hidden water jets and conduits. One notable feature is the stone dining table with stone seats, where guests would find themselves unexpectedly sprayed with water through hidden conduits in the seats. Other surprises include hidden fountains, a grotto, and a crown pushed up and down by a jet of water. The audio guide tour provides fascinating insights into the origins of these tricks and the mischievous nature of Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus.

The Palace Grounds

Visitor Information

Frequently asked questions