Salzburg is a city in the northwestern part of Austria, near the German/Bavarian border. The Salzach River runs through the town, and the city sits among the northern edge of the European Alps. The architecture, the gardens, along with the river and the Alps create scenic surroundings for visitors to take in.
Salzburg is a popular tourist city that presents an abundant amount of attractions and sites for visitors to consider. For people who want to visit multiple museums and other attractions, an all-inclusive Salzburg Card is an option to save money. For those who may only want to concentrate on the highlights, there are a few must-see sites to visit.
Birthplace and Home of Composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
One of the most famous residents of Salzburg is the composer, Mozart. He was born in Salzburg in 1756 and his birthplace, or Geburtshaus, is one of the two homes that now serve as museums. Here visitors can observe many artifacts including Mozart's instruments, music pieces, portraits he painted, and other memorabilia.
The other museum, Wohnhaus, is the home the family lived while Mozart was a teenager into his early twenties. It is here that Mozart composed many of his symphonies and concerts. Visitors can learn about the life of Mozart while visiting this museum that sits along Makartplatz.
Information on local concerts, museum tickets, and other information about Mozart can be found on the International Mozarteum Foundation site.
History and Story of The Sound Of Music
While many of the facts from the real story of the von Trapp family are not accurately portrayed in the movie, The Sound of Music is based on a true story. The movie was popular in the United States, and many Salzburg natives are not as keen about it's popularity. Many visitors flock to Salzburg to see some of the locations that were filmed in the Sound of Music.
- Mirabell Gardens and Mirabell Palace is a beautiful setting where Julie Andrews and the children sang "Do-Re-Mi" while dancing around the horse fountain.
- St. Peter cemetery is portrayed in the movie as the backdrop for many of the family's escape scenes.
- The location where the von Trapp family makes their disappearing act, while singling "Edelweiss", was filed at Felsenreitschule, or Rock Riding School.
- Nonnberg Abbey is placed several times in the movie. It is the all-female convent in which Maria departs for the von Trapp family, and also the spot seen during the song "Maria".
Visitors that come to Salzburg will notice the architecture that is dotted with churches and cathedrals. The churches are from many different eras over the centuries, and each has its own style. While there are a multitude of churches and cathedrals to admire, here are some of the must-sees:
- Salzburg Dom, or Cathedral, located in the Domplatz adjacent to Residenz Castle and St Peter's Abbey
- St. Peter's Abbey is a monastery that goes back to the fifth century. The church has a mix of styles from Romanesque to Baroque.
- St Sebastian church and cemetery is the home of the Mozart family tomb. It was originally built in the 16th century and has been renovated several times throughout the centuries.
Hohensalzburg Fortress of Salzburg
Peering over the city is the distinctive white castle, or fortress, that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The Hohensalburg Fortress dates back to the 11th century and is considered one of Europe's largest fortifications. This prominent structure, which sits on Festungsberg hill, was originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to protect himself and other clergy.
The fortress can be reached using the funicular, installed in the late 19th century, reaching the top in just 1 minute. There is also a steep walkway that allows access. Visitors can observe the fortress grounds and interior rooms.
Salzburg has many attractions for visitors to partake. Depending on the amount of time available, these highlights are just a few of the options to visit.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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