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About Salzburg
Salzburg safeguarded the city’s ancient architecture and atmosphere from the Middle Ages to the late 1800’s so that you feel you are part of that
Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and is considered a “must visit” city. The fact that it is not “the biggest” city is not important in this case - size doesn’t count! It is no wonder that UNESCO recognized the Alstadt (Old Town) as a World Heritage Site. Salzburg is situated on the banks of the Salzach river which is almost 300 km long. This precious town offers a wide range of tours with exciting experiences for the visitor.
Secret: (Saltzburg, literally means Salt Castle) Saltz or salz, meaning salt, is in the name because the mining of salt was a major industry since the early 1500’s and is probably what helped to put Salzburg on the map!
Note: During the Holy Roman Empire, for more than ten centuries, Salzburg was a church city-state. The days are long gone since the leader of the church and the state was the prince-archbishop.
With the mountains providing a theatrical backdrop, the city's skyline is alive with turrets and domes and a clear view of the HohenSalsburg fortress. The baroque style is evident in many buildings, both ecclesiastical and secular as they were all influenced by the style of Italian architects.
In January 1756, the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in this charming town He was born and raised on 9 Getreidegasse in the Old Town and his house is now a museum. This charming little street is one of many meandering between alley houses that are decorated with unique metal signs, advertising stores, jewelry, antiques and many other kinds of shops.
The Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom), built in 774, is a Roman Catholic seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral that was dedicated to two, Saints Rupert and Saint Vergilius. It was ruined in a fire and then was rebuilt in various stages, yet once completed it was then bombed in WWII and had to be reconstructed once again. Although it was overly decorated and very elaborate the
Cathedral nevertheless has a serene and peaceful atmosphere which welcomes people from all over the world, from all religions.
Secret: Mozart was baptized in the Salzburg Cathedral, which still has the same baptismal basin used for Mozart.
The DomQuartier museum adjacent to the cathedral is a must-see, especially for those who fawn over the baroque style. A hodgepodge of decorative items in each and every corner and items that stretch from ceiling to floor, including furniture and magnificent candelabras, art and sculpture. One can become quite an affected when viewing the decorative arts of Salzburg of the 17th and 18th centuries
In Europe, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is known as one of the biggest and most impressive castles from the 11th century. The imposing Salzburg Hohensalzburg Castle, has stood for 1000 years on a hill dominating the city. As the decades passed, the castle grew and its walls were thickened and fortified, allowing for full protection for the occupants within. Today it serves as the archbishops' museum and has a spectacular vantage viewing point for the city and the Alps. Ascent is possible on foot or in a funicular carriage (festungsbahn).
In the early 1600’s the Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich gifted the Mirabell Palace to his mistress Salome Alt. The gardens, which were redesigned many times over the next decades were added about 80 years later. The fountain and statues which were also added later were forever “immortalized” in the movie Sound of Music (in the scene where Julie Andrews teaches the Van Trapp Children the “Doh Reh Mi” song).
Today the palace belongs to the municipality of Salzburg.
Note: Do not leave this country without stopping by a traditional Viennese café and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee with the typical, yet iconic, Austrian dessert “the apfelstrudel”, with its flaky (no yeast) crust and raisins and spicey apples and sprinkled with sugar (yes originally Austrian and not German).
P.S. If it is the majestic Alps you want to visit then a good place to begin is in the southern part of the mountain and hike up to the Grossglockner Peak which is the highest in this mountain range, rising to an altitude of about 4000 meters.
Salzburg is about 500 km from the Alps. You can go by car, train or bus.
Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) is a 17th century villa the size of a palace, just 7.5 km south towards Salzburg. Beautiful elegant landscaped gardens and expansive parks surround the palace. But the drawing card is the water games from the various trick fountains that are unique and unmatched anywhere in the world.
Built by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus the palace was meant for joy and entertainment. He wanted to surprise his guests and so wherever they wandered about on the grounds, they would have a “water surprises! Today you will pass by the various audio stations which will explain each one of the attractions.
Note: Open only from April until the end of October..
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Looking for some interesting things to do in Salzburg? Here are some recommended attractions and sights for you.
tours, sightseeing & cruises
art & culture
Attractions in Salzburg
- St Peter's Abbey, Salzburg
- Getreidegasse, Salzburg
- Hohensalzburg Castle, Salzburg
- Monchsberg, Salzburg
- Nature House, Salzburg
- Residenz, Salzburg
- St. Peter's Cemetery, Salzburg
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Franciscan Church, Salzburg
- Hettwer Bastion, Salzburg
- Judengasse, Salzburg
- Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Salzburg
- Modern Art Museum - Monchsberg, Salzburg
- Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg
- Volkskunde Museum, Salzburg
Salzburg City voice guide
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Voice guided walking tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can start walking at any time and stop whenever and wherever you like, for as long as you like. For RoutePerfect customers with our partner VoiceMap's mobile app.
A Taste of Salzburg: Highlights from Mirabell Gardens to Mozart's Birthplace
Salzburg is alive with the sound of Trudy’s music
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