Mighty churches, magnificent palaces, picturesque alleys, domes, fountains and arcades – Salzburg is a total work of art in Austria. Alexander von Humboldt wrote around 1800 on his trip around the world: “I consider the regions of Salzburg, Naples and Constantinople to be the most beautiful on earth.” The city, which has just 148,000 inhabitants, recommends itself as the world capital of music. But that’s not all: Salzburg has a decidedly theatrical effect and is called the “stage of the world”. Beauty, play and art come together here. The atmosphere resembles a beautiful play. The white gold of the Middle Ages has made Salzburg rich. Today, countless treasures magically attract visitors.
Salzburg – A city tour that enchants
The city is beautifully situated on both sides of the Salzach. The Hohensalzburg towers picturesquely above the city. The Salzburg flair enchants from the very beginning.
Between the Mönchsberg, the left bank of the Salzach and the Festungsberg, the old town presents itself with medieval narrow streets, arcaded courtyards and tall, narrow houses.
The bourgeois part of the city seems rather romantic, while the ecclesiastical-princely part between the Neutor and the Neugebäude inspires with magnificent buildings on wide squares. The centre of the old town is the wide Residenzplatz, the former centre of archiepiscopal power. It is adorned by one of the most beautiful and largest baroque fountains on this side of the Alps. The residence, first mentioned around 1120, houses 180 rooms and halls, including 15 state rooms. A visit is worthwhile. Afterwards, the coachmen are already waiting and invite you to a comfortable city tour. Soon you reach the cathedral square. Salzburg Cathedral impresses with its mighty, 79-metre-high dome and magnificent façade. Not far from the cathedral is one of the oldest cemeteries in the world. The tour continues to the Mönchsberg with additional exhibition rooms of the Museum der Moderne. Passing stately churches, you reach the festival district, the Bürgerspitalplatz, many museums, the Getreidegasse with its medieval skyscrapers and, last but not least, the sites of Mozart.
Mozart, Baroque and more
The Getreidegasse has something enchanting, even if it is filled with crowds of people, especially in summer. At night, when the backdrops are illuminated, it is one of the most photographed streets in the world. The oldest walls in the alley bear the number 21 and date from 1258. In 1756, the child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart saw the light of day at Getreidegasse 9. The façade, portal and courtyard still look like they did in his time. In 1773, the Mozarts moved to the other bank of the Salzach and moved into the house at Marktplatz 8. The market square, which rises slightly to the south, was laid out at the end of the 13th century and is now a wonderful place to linger.
The St. Sebastian Cemetery is Salzburg’s Campo Santo. At the picturesque cemetery, historical Salzburg personalities lie underground – Mozart’s father Leopold and Mozart’s wife Constanze as well as Genoveva von Weber. The monastery district of St. Peter leads its visitors into the realm of the monks. In the shadow of a steep rock face are the family graves of respected Salzburg clans and catacombs carved into the rock.
Far away from melancholy, Hellbrunn Palace, the pleasure palace in the south of Salzburg and Mirabell Palace as a place for love beckon. The Mirabelle Garden impresses with terraces, fountains and marble statues. On the other hand, Hellbrunn Palace offers a delightful park, which was built at the height of ecclesiastical power in 1613-1619.
Active in Salzburg
A trip to the Gastein Valley or a mountain hike to the Kapuzinerberg promises pure enjoyment. Meditative play a role in the ascent: you look back at the soft image of the city and look at the magnificent mountain scenery. Salzburg is surrounded by mountains, but not oppressed. On the way back, it is worth taking a look at the villa of the poet Stefan Zweig. Thomas Mann, Maurice Ravel and George Wells once stayed here. The encounter with old Austrian coffee house tradition is a must in Salzburg. In the “Café Tomaselli”, Mozart once read the only newspaper that existed at the time and drank a hot chocolate with it.
On the other bank of the Salzach, the “Café Bazar” inspires in a cosy place with a pretty river terrace. Not far away, the Viennese Gürtler family invites you to their famous Sacher coffee house. Hardly anyone can resist the fragrant temptations. Where aircraft fans’ hearts beat faster, you will find the Aircraft Museum with highly sought-after aviation treasures. The runway at runway 16 exerts a magnetic attraction and causes enthusiasm in winter. Hangar-7 is also a place of art with constantly changing events. A trip to the Ice Caves of Werfen is also worthwhile. In the largest ice cave on our planet, the rule is: Dress warmly, even in midsummer.
Tip: In the “Carpe Diem” restaurant, guests enjoy finger food at its finest.
Wheat gold with a twist, on the other hand, is available in Salzburg’s breweries on Rupertgasse.
Salzburg is wonderful and always worth a visit. The graceful city wonder is charming and dreamy. The “Everyman’s City” is a place for true connoisseurs and strollers.
