General idea
What do you imagine when someone says Salzburg? You can’t forget that Salzburg is more than the City of Mozart and home of the Salzburg Festival. Salzburg has rich history, there are also countless fascinating insights and surprising moments around practically every corner. Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mozart museums, the Getreidegasse and Hellbrunn Palace are among Salzburg’s most popular locations.
Top attractins
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The original purpose of the fortress was to protect the principality and the archbishops from hostile attacks. In all of these years, it has never been captured by foreign troops. The fortress is open year round. Since 1892, you have the choice of making your way up there on foot, or riding the fortress funicular (“Festungsbahn”) from the Festungsgasse. Once at the fortress, highlights include the medieval princely chambers as well as a fortress museum, which boasts a fascinating display of objects plucked from the courtly lifestyle of the prince-archbishops.
Mozart’s Birthplace
One certain house in the Getreidegasse always draws particular attention: No. 9, the house in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. Salzburg’s most famous son came into this world on 27 January 1756. His family actually lived here for 26 years, from 1747 on, occupying an apartment on the third floor. With parents Leopold and Anna Maria as well as sister “Nannerl”, Mozart spend his childhood and much of his youth there. In 1773, the family moved to the house we know today as the “Mozart Residence”, standing on Makartplatz Square.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Mirabell Palace looks back on a colorful history. Today, Mirabell Palace is home to municipal offices as well as those of the mayor of Salzburg. Mirabell Gardens were completely redesigned under archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun in 1690. The underlying geometric form, which is typical for the Baroque, is still clearly recognizable. The visual orientation towards the cathedral and fortress adds to the grandeur of the gardens – simultaneously incorporating them into the overall historical ensemble of the city.
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