Leslie Massey
Salzburg, a city in north-central Austria, is situated on both sides of the Salzach River, which divides the city. The city's elevation is approximately 436 meters above sea level. The river rises in the Central Eastern Alps in the south and flows towards the Alpine foothills in the north. The Mönchsberg, or Monks' Hill, which overlooks the old town, has an elevation of 493 meters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 436 m above sea level |
| Population | 148,521 |
| Location | North-central Austria |
| Geography | Surrounded by the Salzach River and the Bavarian (German) border |
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What You'll Learn
Salzburg's elevation is 436m above sea level
Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian federal state of Salzburg Bundesland, is situated 436 metres above sea level. The city is nestled in a level basin on both sides of the Salzach River, near the northern foothills of the Alps and the Bavarian (German) border. The river divides the city, with the ""Old Town" of Salzburg located underneath the Mönchsberg and the Hohensalzburg Fortress on one side, and the "newer town" on the other.
The historic centre of Salzburg, with its rich mix of art and architecture, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The city has a long and varied history, dating back to its origins as a Celtic settlement and later as the Roman town of Juvavum. In 739, Salzburg was made a bishopric by St. Boniface and was raised to an archbishopric in 798. The city became the seat of the powerful ecclesiastical principality of the Archbishops of Salzburg, who were acknowledged as princes of the Holy Roman Empire in 1278.
The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, located near the Mönchsberg, is a notable landmark in Salzburg. Most of its buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries, and its church, founded in 1130-43, was remodelled in the Rococo style. The Mönchsberg, or Monks' Hill, itself stands at an elevation of 493 metres, offering a panoramic view of the old town.
Salzburg's elevation of 436 metres above sea level places it in the company of other high-altitude European cities such as Geneva (373 metres) and Innsbruck (574 metres). The city's elevated position contributes to its unique character and provides a striking backdrop for its architectural landmarks.
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The city is in a basin by the Salzach River
The city of Salzburg, the capital of the federal state of Salzburg Bundesland, is located in north-central Austria. The city is in a basin by the Salzach River, which flows from the Central Eastern Alps in the south to the Alpine foothills in the north. The river divides Salzburg, with the historic "Old Town" on the left side of the river, and the "newer town" on the right bank. The Salzach River is the main river of the state of Salzburg, which borders Germany and Italy.
The city of Salzburg has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Celts and the Roman town of Juvavum. In the 8th century, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and the Nonnberg Nunnery were founded by St. Rupert, and in 739, Salzburg became a bishopric. The historic centre, known for its art and architecture, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
The basin-like geographical feature of the city is due to its location near the northern foothills of the Alps. The elevation of the city is approximately 436 meters above sea level. The Mönchsberg, or Monks' Hill, is a wooded ridge overlooking the old town, with an elevation of 493 meters (1,617 feet).
The Salzach River and the surrounding basin have played an important role in the development of the city and the region. The name "Salzburg" means "salt city," reflecting the importance of salt mining in the area. The river has provided a source of transportation, trade, and economic growth for the city and the state.
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The river rises in the Central Eastern Alps
The city of Salzburg, Austria, is situated in a level basin on both sides of the Salzach River. The river runs through the centre of the city, separating the old town of Salzburg from the newer district. The old city comprises original medieval and baroque buildings on the left bank, looking across to the 19th-century new city on the right bank. The river rises in the Central Eastern Alps, carving a deep valley through the mountains that culminates at Salzachöfen Gorge. Here, the banks of the river become impassable, and the route following the eastern edge of the river rises approximately 100 metres (330 feet) above the river to avoid it.
The Salzach River forms the border between Bavaria, Germany, and the Austrian states of Salzburg and Upper Austria for almost 70 kilometres (43 miles). The river runs eastward through a large valley via Bruck south of Lake Zell to Schwarzach im Pongau, where it turns northward and passes Sankt Johann im Pongau. North of here, the Salzach forms the narrow Salzachöfen Gorge between the Berchtesgaden Alps and the Tennen Mountains before flowing to Hallein and the city of Salzburg. The river finally empties into the Inn in Haiming between Burghausen and Braunau.
The Salzach River is an important source of hydroelectric power, with 12 hydroelectric power plants currently operating on the river. The river is also a popular destination for tourists visiting Salzburg, with walkways along both sides offering stunning views and fantastic spots for selfies or photos. The river lends unparalleled beauty to the city, with the Alps providing an amazing background.
The Lueg Pass is a mountain pass or defile above the Salzachöfen Gorge in Salzburg State, Austria. The pass is at the western edge of the Tennen Mountains and is approximately 100 metres (330 feet) above the Salzach River where the gorge is at its narrowest. The terms "Lueg Pass" and "Salzachöfen" are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to the whole canyon. The Lueg Pass was historically one of the primary routes across the Northern Limestone Alps, a northern parallel subrange of the Central Eastern Alps.
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The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter is on Monks' Hill
Salzburg is a city in north-central Austria, situated in a level basin on both sides of the Salzach River. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter is located on Monks Hill (Mönchsberg), a wooded ridge overlooking the old town of Salzburg. The elevation of Monks Hill is approximately 1,617 feet (493 meters).
The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter is a historic site, founded in 696 by Bishop Rupert of Worms, making it the oldest monastery in the German-speaking area. The abbey is also known for housing the oldest library in Austria, with over 100,000 volumes focusing on topics such as Benedictine monasticism, medieval church history, art history, and local Salzburg history. The library, known as the Zellenbibilothek, was redesigned in the Rococo style in 1768 and restored in 1999. However, it is not open to the public and can only be accessed with special permission.
In addition to the library, the abbey complex includes the Abbey Church, St. Peter's Cemetery, the catacombs, and the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium restaurant, which is claimed to be the oldest restaurant in Central Europe, dating back to at least 803. The abbey church, also known as "Peter's Church," is the oldest bishopric church of the Salzburg archdiocese. The current structure combines various architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo, reflecting the remodelling and reconstruction that has taken place over the centuries.
The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of Salzburg during the Middle Ages. It was known for its outstanding scriptorium and writing school. The abbey also has a rich musical history, with connections to notable musicians such as Mozart, Haydn, and Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The abbey possesses a collection of their works, as well as paintings, church treasures, minerals, furniture, and a cabinet of natural curiosities.
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Monks' Hill is 1,617 feet (493m) high
Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian federal state of Salzburg Bundesland, is situated in a level basin on both sides of the Salzach River. The river divides the city into two halves: the "Old Town" and the "newer town". The "Old Town" of Salzburg lies underneath the Mönchsberg (Monks' Hill) and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Monks' Hill is 1,617 feet (493m) high.
Monks' Hill is a wooded ridge that overlooks the old town of Salzburg. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter is located near the hill, with most of its buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The abbey's church, which was remodelled in the Rococo style, dates back to 1130-43. The abbey is also close to the Franciscan Church, which features a Romanesque nave, a 15th-century Gothic choir, and Baroque chapels.
Crowning the Monks' Hill is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which was built in 1077 and completed in 1681. The fortress served as the archbishops' residence during the wars of the 15th and 16th centuries. Other notable structures on the hill include St. George's Church, constructed in 1501, and the Nonnberg Nunnery, which was founded between 712 and 715 and rebuilt from 1000 to 1009.
The historic centre of Salzburg, known for its rich mix of art and architecture, was recognised by UNESCO and added to the World Heritage List in 1996. The city has a population of approximately 154,820 (as of June 2018) and lies 436 metres (1,430 feet) above sea level.
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Frequently asked questions
The city of Salzburg lies 436 m above sea level.
Monks' Hill, or Mönchsberg, has an elevation of 1,617 feet (493 meters).
Salzburg is a city in north-central Austria, near the border with Germany.
The main river in Salzburg is the Salzach River.
Salzburg has a rich history, dating back to a Celtic settlement and the Roman town of Juvavum. It became a bishopric in 739 and an archbishopric in 798.
