Leslie Massey
Salzburg, the capital of the federal state of Salzburg Bundesland in north-central Austria, has a rich and complex history. The region was settled in prehistoric times, and the establishment of the Roman town of Juvavum around 15 BC is considered its traditional beginning. The city has changed hands several times, being annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1809, and eventually returned to Austria in 1816. Today, Salzburg is a thriving cultural hub, known for its Baroque architecture, musical heritage, and natural beauty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date founded | 15 BC |
| Original name | Iuvavum or Juvavum |
| Became part of the Austrian Empire | 1805 |
| Transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria | 1809 |
| Returned to Austria | 1816 |
| Became an independent territory of the Austrian crown | 1850 |
| Became a duchy and Habsburg crown land | 1850 |
| Became a Bundesland | 1918 |
| Restored as a Bundesland | 1945 |
| Became a UNESCO World Heritage site | 1997 |
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What You'll Learn
The Roman town of Juvavum was founded in 15 BC
The Roman town of Juvavum, now known as Salzburg, was founded in 15 BC. The establishment of this Roman town is considered the traditional beginning of the city. However, the region surrounding Salzburg has been settled since prehistoric times due to its mineral resources. Copper mining near Bischofshofen in the Bronze Age and salt mining in Dürnberg during the Iron Age were important industries for central Europe.
The area was settled by the Celts in the later Iron Age, and the Romans established the town of Juvavum around 15 BC. It became a Roman municipium in approximately 50 CE. The name "Salzburg" has been documented since 755 CE.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Juvavum was abandoned and fell into ruins. In the 5th century, a monastery was established, but the city remained largely dormant until 699 CE when St. Rupert received the ruins as a gift from the Duke of Bavaria. Rupert became the city's bishop and launched St. Peter's Abbey, becoming the patron saint of Salzburg.
In the 11th century, construction began on the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which served as the residence of the powerful archbishops of Salzburg during the wars of the 15th and 16th centuries. The city gained independence from Bavaria in the late 14th century and became a prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire.
Over time, Salzburg flourished and became a cultural centre renowned for its Baroque architecture. The city has been associated with several notable individuals, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born there in 1756. Today, Salzburg is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, rich history, and cultural events.
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St Peter's Abbey was founded in 696 or 699 AD
St Peter's Abbey, also known as Stift Sankt Peter, is a Benedictine monastery founded in 696 or 699 AD. It is located in the city of Salzburg, which is in north-central or west-central Austria. The abbey is situated near Mönchsberg (Monks' Hill), a wooded ridge overlooking the old town of Salzburg.
The founding of St Peter's Abbey is closely associated with St Rupert, who received the ruins of a Roman town called Iuvavum as a gift from the Duke of Bavaria in the late 7th century. Iuvavum had been established around 15 BC but fell into ruin after the decline of the Roman Empire. With the site, St Rupert also received the patronage of the city, later becoming its bishop. He is still revered as the patron saint of Salzburg today.
St Peter's Abbey has a well-known cemetery and is part of the city's rich cultural heritage. The abbey's church, constructed between 1130 and 1143, was remodelled in the Rococo style. The abbey's buildings mostly date from the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting the Baroque influence that characterises much of Salzburg's architecture.
Salzburg has a long and complex history, having changed hands several times over the centuries. It was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1809, and then returned to Austria in 1816. It became the capital of a crownland of the Austrian Empire in 1866 and later joined the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, Salzburg became part of independent Austria again.
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Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805
Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian state of Salzburg, has a rich history that dates back centuries. In 1805, Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire, marking a significant shift in its governance. This annexation occurred alongside the incorporation of the Berchtesgaden Provostry, and it set in motion a series of political changes for the region.
Prior to its annexation, Salzburg had a long history of religious influence and independence. Since 739 CE, Salzburg has been the seat of a diocesan bishop, and it became an archbishopric in 798 CE. During the Reformation, riots broke out among peasants, and the city was occupied during the German Peasants' War in 1525. Despite these tumultuous events, Salzburg flourished under the rule of Prince Archbishops in the late 16th to 18th centuries, with the city's wealth and prosperity increasing.
However, in the early 19th century, the political landscape of Salzburg shifted dramatically. In 1805, with the annexation into the Austrian Empire, Salzburg's fate became tied to the broader empire. This period saw the incorporation of various territories into the Austrian Empire, and Salzburg was among them. This annexation was short-lived, as Austria suffered a defeat at Wagram in 1809, leading to the transfer of Salzburg to the Kingdom of Bavaria.
The transfer of Salzburg to Bavaria marked another turning point in the region's governance. However, this period under Bavarian rule was also short-lived. In 1816, following the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich, Salzburg was returned to Austria. This return to Austrian rule restored Salzburg's status as the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the Austrian Empire. This definitive return to Austria established Salzburg's place within the Empire and set the stage for its future development as a cultural and tourist destination.
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In 1850, Salzburg became an independent territory of the Austrian crown
The city of Salzburg, Austria, has a rich and complex history that dates back to prehistoric times. While the region was widely settled due to its mineral resources, the establishment of the Roman town of Juvavum around 15 BC is considered its traditional beginning. Over the centuries, Salzburg has been influenced by various empires and rulers, with its fortunes rising and falling alongside them.
In the context of this historical backdrop, 1850 marks a significant turning point for Salzburg. Prior to this, in 1805, Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire, only to be transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1809 following Austria's defeat at Wagram. However, after the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich in 1816, Salzburg was returned to Austria, albeit with some territorial losses.
It is in 1850 that Salzburg's status underwent a notable change. In this year, Salzburg became an independent territory of the Austrian crown, ending its previous administrative district classification under Upper Austria. This elevation in status also restored Salzburg as the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the Austrian Empire. This recognition as a duchy and crown land signified the importance and autonomy granted to Salzburg within the broader context of the Austrian Empire.
The mid-19th century was a period of transformation for Salzburg, and the city continued to flourish in the subsequent decades. The Romantic Era, with its nostalgia and appreciation for the past, attracted tourists to the city. This influx of visitors prompted the installation of a funicular in 1892 to facilitate tourism to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest fortresses in Europe. The city's architectural splendour, particularly its Baroque style, became a drawcard for travellers.
Salzburg's cultural significance also grew during this period, with music festivals taking place at irregular intervals throughout the 19th century. The foundations laid during this time would later contribute to the establishment of the renowned annual Salzburg Festival, which continues to attract visitors from around the world. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Salzburg had firmly established itself as an independent territory of the Austrian crown, contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of the empire.
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Salzburg became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997
Salzburg, the northwestern gateway to Austria, is a city with a rich history. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, but its story goes back much further.
Salzburg's history as a cultural hub can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was a city-state ruled by a prince-archbishop. The city's Flamboyant Gothic art and architecture attracted craftsmen and artists from across Europe. However, it was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the city's Baroque majesty truly came to life, largely thanks to Italian architects such as Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari. This unique blend of northern and southern European influences may have even inspired the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born in Salzburg in 1756 and remains its most famous son.
Salzburg's past is also marked by political upheaval. The city gained independence from Bavaria in the late 14th century, but its subsequent history was tumultuous, with occupations, annexations, and transfers of power between Bavaria and Austria well into the 19th century. During World War II, Salzburg was occupied by German troops, and a concentration camp was located there. Thankfully, much of the city's Baroque architecture remained intact despite the war.
Today, Salzburg is a thriving city with a strong cultural scene. It is home to three universities and hosts over 4,500 cultural events annually, including the world-renowned Salzburg Festival. The city's historic downtown district, with its sacred and secular buildings from different centuries, is a particular draw for visitors exploring on foot. The "Old City", including the Kaiviertel district and the Festungsberg and Mönchsberg mountains, is the area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Salzburg's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a testament to its "outstanding value to humanity". The city's rich history, architectural splendour, and cultural significance make it a true urban treasure.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional beginning of Salzburg is the establishment of the Roman town of Juvavum around 15 BC.
Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, but after Austria's defeat at Wagram in 1809, the territory was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria. Salzburg was returned to Austria in 1816 and became an independent territory of the Austrian crown in 1850.
Salzburg is known for its Baroque architecture, its Alpine setting, and its cultural events. It is also the birthplace of Mozart.
