|
Salzburg Attractions:
Salzburg is dubbed the 'Rome of the North' because it is packed with many attractions: churches, mansions, museums. It is a compact town easy to get around on foot. The old city offers all of those on a small surface.
On the outskirts of the city is one of Salzburg's top attractions Hellbrunn Castle. Its water gardens seen in The Sound of Music are great fun especially for kids: When Archbishop Markus Sitticus built the place in the 1600s he had trick fountains mounted in the floors and walls. To satisfy his quirky sense of humor he occasionally sprayed his guests by activating a secret mechanism.
Salzburg was the birthplace of Mozart, so be sure to visit Mozartplatz with the Mozart monument by Ludwig von Schwanthaler (1842). You can also visit the Mozart's Residence at Makartplatz 8, where Wofgang Amadeus Mozart lived from 1773 - 1780. The rooms formerly occupied by the Mozart family on the first floor were turned into a museum documenting the history of the building and the life of the Mozart family in this house.
Salzburg was also the birthplace of world-famous physicist Christian Doppler, and you can visit the Christian Doppler Memorial and Research Centre at Markatplatz 1.
Linzer Gasse is the historical street on the right bank of river Salzach at the foot of Capucin Mountain with old burgher houss, beautifully restored shops and a fine pathway on Capucin Mountain, lined with the Stations of the Cross. Breathtaking view over the city from the mountain.
Steingasse is one of the oldest streets in town which has kept its medieval ambiance until today.
For shopping be sure to visit Getreidegasse where countless elaborately ornamented signs, artistic portals and romantic arcaded courtyards provide the perfect backdrop for the hustle and bustle of this busy shopping lane.
Mirabell Palace, Mirabell Gardens, or Mirabellplatz was originally called "Altenau". Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich had the palace built in 1606 for Salome Alt. Reconstructed by Lukas von Hildebrandt 1721-1727, rebuilt after the disastrous town fire in 1818. Monumental staircase with figures by G.R. Donner. Marble Hall, used today for wedding ceremonies and concerts. Seat of the mayor of Salzburg. The Mirabell Gardens features groups of statues depicting figures from Greek mythology, marble vases designed by Fischer von Erlach. Natural Theatre, Bastionsgarten, "Dwarf Garden".
Hohensalzburg Fortress is accessable on foot or by funicular railway (station in the Festungsgasse). The largest fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. Built in 1077, greatly extended under Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach around 1500, completed under Prince Archbishop Max Gandolf Kuenberg in 1681. Late Gothic secular rooms.
Hellbrunn Palace Manneristic, early Baroque pleasure palace built by Santino Solari (1612-1615) under Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus. Festival hall and Octagon with wall and ceiling frescoes by Arsenio Mascagnis; extensive Baroque gardens with the famous trick fountains, the mechanical theater (1750) and the "stone theater" (first opera performed in the German-speaking world in 1617).
At Hellbrunn Zoo there are over 400 animals at Hellbrunn Zoo. As a geo-zoo Hellbrunn is laid out according to the geographical regions from which the animals come. Animals from a particular continent therefore live in the same area of the zoo.
There are a wealth of museums to explore in Salzburg. Some of the more popular include; Salzburg's Cathedral Museum, Museum of Natural History, Salzburg Baroque Museum, "Bürgerspital" Museum (Toy collection), Fortress Museum, Rainer Museum, World of Marionettes, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Mozart Sound and Film Museum, Folklore Museum, Festival Halls, and the Salzburg Museum of Art and Art History.
St. Michael's Church is Salzburg's oldest parish church. The Cathedral, the most impressive early Baroque edifice north of the Alps. Originally built in 774 by St. Virgil; 1181-1200 construction of the late Romanesque cathedral; torn down after damage by fire in 1598. 1614 rebuilt under Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus according to plans by Santino Solari; consecrated in 1628 by Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron. Located in Residenzplatz
Franziskanergasse (Franciscan Church) is the most interesting church in Salzburg from an architectural point of view. Founded during the 8th century, destroyed by fire in 1167, Romanesque nave built in 1223, late Gothic hall choir 1408/1460, Renaissance decorations and furnishings, Baroque chancel, Baroque high altar designed by Fischer von Erlach (1709) with Gothic Madonna by Michael Pacher (c. 1495).
St. Sebastian's Church is a late Gothic church erected from 1505 to 1512. Enlarged and reconstructed in 1749. Rococo portal by F.A. Danreiter. Paracelsus tomb. The nearby cemetary was built under Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich (1595-1600) in the style of an Italian campo santo. Contains the graves of the Mozart and Weber families, among others. Gabriel Chapel, Wolf Dietrich Mausoleum.
Loreto Church with convent of Capuchin nuns. Miraculous image called the "Salzburger Kindl".
Church of St. John on Imberg Originally Romanesque, extended and redecorated in the Baroque style in 1681, ceiling paintings 1772, altars and other decoration 1775 - 1778.
Capuchin Church and Convent Built 1599-1602. The Gothic church door dating from 1450 is a relic of the old Cathedral.
Holy Trinity Church was the first church designed by Fischer von Erlach in Salzburg (1694-1702). Concave façade with sculpted figures by M.B. Mandl, dome fresco by J.M. Rottmayr.
St. Erhardkirche Built by Gaspare Zuccalli (1685-1689). High altar painting by Johann Michael Rottmayr and stucco by Francesco Brenno.
Nonnberg Convent Oldest continuously inhabited nunnery in the German-speaking world (Benedictine nuns). Founded by St. Rupert around 700. Late Gothic basilica with crypt, Romanesque frescoes (c. 1150). St. John's Chapel with altar in the style of Veit Stoss (1498).
|
