Salzburg is a musical mecca since it is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the movie “The Sound of Music.” It also has many other treasures to explore including palaces and beautifully adorned churches.
Dom zu Salzburg (Salzburg Cathedral)
The cathedral is a mighty dome with twin spires done in baroque-style of the 17th century. The many treasures of this cathedral include a bronze baptismal font with lions at its base, in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote the words for “Silent Night,” were both christened.
Other highlights include the imposing main organ, the cathedral gates by Tore von Schneider-Manzell, Ewald Mataré and Giacomo Manzú, as well as seven bells.
The three gates stand for Faith, Love and Hope, with the middle gate (for Love) somewhat larger. The seven bells also have names, ranging from Salvator (the biggest) to Barbara (the smallest). In the Cathedral Museum, you can gaze on other art treasures plucked from 1300 years of church history.
Hours: May-Sept. Monday- Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm; Sunday, 1 pm – 7 pm; March – April, Oct., and Dec. closes at 6 pm; Jan.- Feb. and Nov. closes at 5 pm.
Admission: Free, but donation is requested.
Address: Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace):
W.A. Mozart was born in 1756 in the “Hagenauer Haus” at No. 9 Getreidegasse. With parents Leopold and Anna Maria as well as sister “Nannerl”, Mozart spent his childhood and much of his youth there. The museum includes Mozart memorabilia, family portraits and his first instruments.
Hours: Daily 9 – 5:30 pm, July- Aug. until 8 pm.
Admission: Adults €11, Children 6-14 €3.50, Youths 15-18 €4. Combined ticket with Residence: Adults €18, Children 6-14 €5, Youths 15-18 €6.
Address: Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Mozart Residence (Mozart Wohnhaus)
In the museum, you can see – in addition to Mozart’s fortepiano – many original documents and portraits. The exhibition provides an array of interesting facts about the history of the house, Mozart’s Salzburg years and the life of the Mozart family.
Hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm, July-Aug. until 8 pm.
Admission: Adults €11, Children 6-14 €3.50, Youths 15-18 €4.
Address: Makartplatz 8, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Fortress Hohensalzburg
In the year 1077, archbishop Gebhard had the fortress built and his successors made additions. You can reach the fortress by the funicular from the town.
What to see? The Golden Stube is a richly ornamented golden chamber, with a large tiled stove in Gothic style. A small courtyard includes an old salt warehouse and two towers, Hasenturm and the Schwefelturm. The Rockturm tower was once a prison and torture chamber. The Glockenturn, where you reach the residential quarters has a bell created by Hans Reichert in 1505. The Salzburg Coat of Arms can be found above the wicket leading to the inner courtyard in front of the old castle. You can see early cannons along with bastions, bulwarts and walkways. The Schulhaus (schoolhouse) and Kulchturm (kitchen) are the remains of fortifications built outside of the castle in the 16th century.
Hours: Daily May-Sept. 9 am – 7 pm, Oct. – April 9:30 am – 5 pm.
Admission: Basic Price — Adults €12.90, Children 6-14 €7.40. For Internet prices, all-inclusive and grounds price go the website. https://www.salzburg-burgen.at/de/festung-hohensalzburg/besuch-planen/tickets/
Address: Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg Museum (Neue Residenze)
The museum presents the history of Salzburg. Unique pieces include a Celtic beaked jug, the helmet from Pass Lueg and a Gothic winged altar by the “Master of Virgo inter Virgines.” You can also use a subterranean walkway that connects with the Panorama Museum. The passage includes archaeological excavations. The Panorama Museum includes a gigantic round painting (26-meter circumference or 1,300 square feet) of historic city of Salzburg created in the 1820s.
Hours: Tuesday- Sunday 9 am to 5pm.
Admission: Adults €9, Children 6-15 €3 and Youth 16-26 €4. Combo tickets with the Panorama Museum – Adults €10, Children 6-15 €3.50 and Youth 16-26 €4.50. For more information on tickets and discounts go to the website.
Address: Mozartpl. 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Alte Residenz or Salzburg Residence
Was the residence of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg who once ruled over this territory. Carabinieri Hall was used for state gatherings and theater. The Knights’ Hall was where on May 1, 1816, Emperor Francis I accepted homage and the oath of allegiance from the civic leaders of Salzburg, which in turn marked the beginning of Salzburg as a part of Austria.
Hours: Wednesday- Monday 10 am – 5 pm, closed Tuesday.
Admission: Adults €13, Children (until 6 years free), Pupils with ID €5. Discounted when certain parts are closed, more information on the website.
Address: Residenzpl. 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Mirabell Gardens and Palace
The palace was built by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved Salome Alt. It has been regarded as one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world. The “Angel Staircase” leads up to the Marble Hall and is decorated with numerous cherubs.
The gardens include the Pegasus Fountain, the Ground Fountain with four groups of figures representing the elements earth, air, water and fire. A Dwarf Garden made up of 17 Untersberger marble dwarves. Also the garden includes the Hedge Theater, Rose Garden and the Orangery that functions as the palm house.
The gardens and palace were used in the “Sound of Music.”
Hours: Gardens are always open, free concerts take place in the summer, May- Aug., Sunday at 10:30 am, in the palace nearly nightly.
Admission: Free
Address: Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Schloss Hellbrunn (Hellbrunn Castle)
Markus Sittikus, prince-archbishop of Salzburg at that time, planned an oasis of pleasure and distraction unlike anything ever seen before. This summer residence sprang up in record-setting time between 1612 and 1615. The castle grounds include trick fountains that are unique. From a mechanical theater to water-spewing stags, to a crown dancing atop a spout of water- the many and varied hydraulic attractions captivate the imagination.
Hours: Daily, May – Sept. 9 am – 5:30 pm, July – Aug. until 9 pm, April – Oct. 9 am – 4:30 pm, Closed Nov. – March.
Admission: Guided Tours – Adults €12.50, Children and Pupils (4-18) €5.50, Students (19-26, ID required) €8.
Address: Fürstenweg 37, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Sound of Music Tours
There are number of tour operators that do a “Sound of Music Tour” that would include:
- Mirabell Gardens and the Pegasus Fountain (the dance scene with Maria and the children)
- Schloss Leopoldskron (in the film, the house where the family lived)
- Hellbrunn Palace (singing scenes)
- Nonnberg Convent (where the young Maria was a novice)
- St. Gilgen / Wolfgangsee (opening scene of the movie)
- Mondsee Basilica (wedding scene)
Source: https://www.salzburg.info/en/hotels-offers/guided-tours/the-sound-of-music-tour
Also in Austria: https://thatawaydad.com/innsbruck-capital-of-the-alps/
