Salzburg is one of Europe's most beautiful cities and is equally admired for its architecture and magnificent setting. It is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg is a city with burgeoning arts scenes, wonderful food, manicured parks, quiet side streets where classical music wafts from open windows. With its scenery, the skyline, the music and the history makes Salzburg a must see city to visit!
PLACES TO VISIT
1.MOZART’S BIRTHPLACE
Mozart's Birthplace consists of a number of interesting features, including rooms once occupied by the Mozart family as well as a fascinating museum with numerous interesting mementos are on display, including the young Mozart's violin, portraits, and original scores. On exhibition on the second floor is the Mozart in Theatre and on display is a number of illuminated miniature stages depicting his many achievements.
2.THE SALZBURG RESIDENZ AND THE RESIDENZGALERIE
Built between 1596 and 1619, this huge palace is laid out around three courtyards and boasts a large main front with a marble gateway added in 1710. The gallery was established in 1923 and is containing works of European painters from the 16th to 19th centuries, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Brueghel.
3.SCHLOSS MIRABELL AND GARDENDS
See the spectacular Grand Staircase, with a numerous statues by Georg Raphael Donner and his pupils. Other features are the Marble Hall, the Schloss Mirabell Baroque Museum and the Mirabellgarden with its Baroque landscape and numerous terraces, marble statues, and fountains.
4.OLD TOWN SALZBURG
The Old Town area with its many wrought-iron shop and inn signs, its beautiful old courtyards, as well as numerous galleries, boutiques, workshops, and cafés. In the middle of the square is the 17th-century St. Florian's Fountain with its octagonal basin and an even older spiral grille from 1583.
5.SALZBURG’S FESTIVAL THEATRES
Famous for its music festivals, Salzburg has manifested in a number of historic theaters and concert halls. The building consist of the large Festspielhaus and the smaller Haus für Mozart, between which is a foyer with fine frescoes. For a completely different theatrical experience, check out the Salzburg Marionette Theater, established in 1913 and one of the oldest puppet theaters in Europe.
6.SALZBURG CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral is a prominent building thanks to its twin 79-meter towers and is famous for its Italian style. In the front west the colossal marble statue with the outer ones representing St. Rupert and Virgil, patron saints of the province, while the inner ones depict Peter and Paul. Notable features is the three massive bronze doors, the high altar and the superb frescoes in the vaulting. The burial vaults and artifacts in the crypt are also worth seeing with its liturgical objects and objets d'art from the Salzburg archdiocese.
7.FESTUNG HOHENSALZBURG
The fortress interior is lavishly and some of the oldest gothic-style rooms have intricate wood paneling, elaborate door frames and complex ceiling vaults. Today, a torture chamber, several courtyards and three small museums - the Fortress, the Rainer Regiments and the Marionette - reside within its walls. For stunning views make your way to the top of the compound.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- The Residenzplatz
- Hohensalzburg Castle
- St Sebastian’s Church & Cemetery
- The Franciscan Church
- St Peter’s Church
- Neugebaude
- Schloss Hellbrunn
- Salzburg Museum
- Museum der Moderne
- Untersberg
- Dom Cathedral
- Stift Nonnberg
- Dommuseum
- Haus de Natur
- Steingasse
- Freilichtmuseum
- Friedhof St Sebastian
- Spielzeugmuseum
- Schloss Leopoldskron
- Domgrabungsmuseum
- Rupertinum
- Christmas Museum
- Sphaera
- Sky Space
The best way to get around in Salzburg is by Fiaker (horse-drawn carriage), bus, taxi, bus taxi, car or motorcycle.
The best time to visit Salzburg is from September to October when summer crowds have tapered off and you can enjoy the beautifully pruned gardens in comfortable temperatures. Although the hills begin to sing and bloom in spring, March and April are still a bit chilly.
