Salzburg is a city in central Austria, near the German/Bavarian border with a population of some 148,000 in 2005. If you've seen the movie The Sound of Music you may think you know all there is to see in Salzburg. Admittedly, it's tough not to burst into song when you're walking along the Salzach River, or climbing up to the Hohensalzburg fortress which looms over the city. But there's a lot more to this compact, courtly city than Julie Andrews and Mozart's birthplace. The city was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football.
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria (after Vienna,Graz and Linz) and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. It's "Old Town", with its world famous baroque architecture, is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The name Salzburg literally means "Salt Castle", and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century.
Traces of human settlements have been found in the area, dating to the Neolithic Age and later a Celt camp. Starting from 15 BC, the small communities were grouped into a single town, which was named by the Romans as Juvavum. Little remains of this time.
The Festung Hohensalzburg, the city's fortress, was built in 1077 and expanded during the following centuries. Independence from Bavaria was secured in the late 14th century.
PLACE TO VISIT
Schloss Hellbrunn, Fürstenweg Open 1 Apr-1 Nov, Apr, Oct 9AM-4:30PM; May, Jun, Sep 9AM-5:30PM; Jul, Aug 9AM-10PM (only trick fountains from 6PM). Once an archbishop's summer palace with lots of clever fountains and pretty gardens. When you take the tour stand next to the guide otherwise you'll get wet. Hellbrunn is surrounded by vast gardens, including a good children's playground with swings and flying fox, and a cold wading pool, and is a perfect place for a picnic or a long walk through the green. In the Steintheater (Stone Theatre), the first opera in Middle Europe was conducted. If you're travelling with children this is the place to visit because children and adults alike are amused. Adults: €8.50, Students (19-26 years old): €6, Children (4-18 years): €3.80, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): €21.50.
Getreidegasse — A long yet narrow street running parallel to the river in the centre of town, with lots of shops, famous for the old (or old-style) signs of profession outside each store.
Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung), Located on top of a mountain, the Festung offers breath taking views of Salzburg and the Alps. One area of the fortress offers visitors the chance to look down on a field below to find only one house, the executioner's residence. It was believed to live anywhere near the executioner was bad luck. Inside the fortress is a museum of medieval weapons, life on the fortess, and torture instruments. Public concerts are often held here in the evenings, reservations are recommended. On nights with concerts, it is possible to remain within the walls past dark. To avoid the vertical hike up to the Fortress, a funicular is available to ride, for a fee. Adults: €9.80, Children and youths (6-19 years, groups only): €5.10, Children individual (6-14 years): €5.60, Family ticket: €22.60.
Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart's birth house) Open daily 9AM-6PM (Last admission: 5:30PM), open until 7PM Jul-Aug. The Mozart family lived in this house in the heart of Salzburg from 1747-1773, where W.A. Mozart himself was born on 27 January 1756. The house is now a popular museum devoted to Mozart and his family, with interesting memorabilia and letters. Well worth a quick visit. Adults: €6, Youths and school groups 15-18: €2, Children and school groups 6-14: €1.50.
Schloss Mirabell, M,W,Th 8AM-4PM; Tu,F 1PM-4PM. Located right next to the Salzach river and the Mozarteum University of Music and Arts lies a beautiful castle with gardens, built by an archbishop for his beloved courtesan. Watch out for the "Garden of Dwarves" and the Garden of Roses. Inside, you find the marble stairs of Raffael Donner, and the world's most beautiful wedding hall, the Marble Hall. If you plan to marry there, reservations should be made at least a year in advance. Weddings in English are only held on Tuesday and Friday. If you don't speak German, you can't get married any other day
Salzburg Zoo, Adults: €8, Students (Under 27): €6, Children (4-14): €3.50.
Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum). Adults: €2.70, Seniors, Children, youth (16-26): €2, Students (6-15): €0.80.
Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur Salzburg),. Open daily 9AM-5PM. Adults: €4.50, Seniors (60+) or with a pass: €4, Students (Under 27) and Children (4+): €2.50.
St. Sebastian Cemetery — Holds not only the graves of Mozart's wife Constanze Weber-Nissen, but also the must-see Mausoleum of Archbishop Wolfdietrich.
St Peter's Church, Cemetery, and Catacombs — Perhaps most remarkable are the small catacombs carved into the nearby cliffside. Climb up for a couple of small chapels and a nice overlook.
The Untersberg — The mountain is perennially popular with tourists due to its proximity to the city of Salzburg, less than 16 km (10 mi) to the north of the mountain and within easy reach by bus. A variety of paths lead to the top, but most people use the cable car that lifts passengers over 1300m to the Geiereck peak. The cable car runs from the 'St Leonhard' station in the town of Gartenau to the station at the Geiereck peak.
WHAT TO DO
Casino Salzburg, Open daily except for December 24. Slot machines: noon-3AM, Live games: 3PM-3AM. Free admission. edit
Chess — Giant chess board painted onto the ground, past the cathedral (traveling away from the river). You'll have to wait your turn, but its worth it.
HOW TO REACH
By Car - Salzburg is well connected to both Wien (Vienna) and Munich, Germany via the autobahns A8 (Munich - Salzburg) and A1 (Salzburg - Vienna). There is a Austrian Motorway "Vignette" you have to purchase. The price varies depending on if you buy a yearly or 10 day vignette.
Driving around Salzburg can be a pain. The road names are small and written in a "Traditional" German font which can be hard to read. The best bet is to get into the city, find a parking space, and travel by foot. Be sure that if you are driving in cold weather to be prepared for snow. Snow chains should be recommended, in extreme weather. (All cars must have snow tyres by law from October to April)
By train - Salzburg's train station, the Hauptbahnhof, is centrally located. From Munich to Salzburg is about an hour and a half long train ride, and international trains operate from Zurich, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Budapest to name a few destinations. Intercity trains operate very frequently (especially to Vienna where services are almost hourly).
By plane - Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport, The Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (IATA: SZG) is situated about 20 minutes from the centre of the city. Connection with the city is provided by a trolley bus The airport has direct connections from Amsterdam, Berlin, Birmingham, Coventry, London, Maribor, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Saint Petersburg, Vienna, many German cities, and Zurich.
