I see you have joined me for another tour. Well then, let's get comfortable and visit "Salzburg", Austria, the home of "Mozart".
"Salzburg and Mozart"
"Salzburg" surrounded by magnificent Alpine scenery, boasts of one of the world's most striking cityscapes--a medieval fortress perched above a perfectly preserved baroque inner city filled with architectual wonders. Salzburg, is a small city, the population is approximately 150,000, it is one of Europe's leading cultural centers, especially for classical music.
As many or should I say most European cities, Salzburg is too divided by a river called the "Salzach". The towns and river got their names from the regions salt mines, which brought Salzburg fame and fortune and are now popular attractions.
Most of the attractions are on the left bank of the "Salzach River, in the "Altstadt" (Old City). Much of the "Altstadt", is pedestrian friendly, including "Getreidegasse" with it's many shops, "Domplatz" (Cathedral Square), and "Mozartplatz" (Mozart Square).
In the "Altstadt" you will find such as attractions as: "Mozarts Geburtshaus" (Mozart's Birthplace), the Festival House Complex, the "Dom" (Cathedral), the "Catacombs of St. Peter", the "Haus der Nature" (Museum of Natural History), and we can't forget Salzburg's landmark, the "Hohensalzburg", it is this fortress, towering above the "Altstadt" on a sheer cliff, that makes Salzburg so beautiful, even from afar. At night Salzburg is lit up, making a walk along the "Salzach River" one of the most romantic in Austria.
The town's most famous garden is "Mirabellgarten" located on the river's right bank. It was designed in the 17th century in baroque style with statues, marble vases, fountains and ponds. In the middle of the park you will find a palace which was build by Archbishop Wolf-Dietrich for his mistress, it is now used for concerts, weddings and administrative offices.
Most shops are concentrated in the "Altstadt" along Getreidegasse and Alter Markt, as well as across the river along Linzer Gasse. This is where you will find some of the most exquisite Dirndls, jewelry and leather goods. Lookout, the prices are a might high, but, the quality is excellent. In this case I guess you get what you pay for.
Salzburg has two well know markets. "Grünmarkt" (Green Market) held in the Altstadt, in front of the Universities Church right behind Mozart's Birthplace. Here you will find such things as vegetables, fruit, flowers and souvenirs. The other markt is the "Schrannenmarkt", this one is located on the other side of the river in front of St. Andrew's Church. Here too you will find the same as above, just that this place is also known as the meeting place for housewives who like to socialize and shop here.
As the birthplace of Mozart and site of the Salzburg Festivals, the city boasts of a musical event almost every night of the year.
The "Augustiner Bråustübl Mülln", on Augustinergasse 4, is one of the cheapest places in town for a brew.
here you can either sit in their beer-garden or in one of it's massive dining halls.
The "Festpielhaus", Hofstallgasse 1, is where opera, ballet and concerts are performed.
Comedies, drama's, and musicals are performed at the "Salzburger Landestheater, also opera, operetta's and ballet. It is located on the river's right bank, just south of the Mirabellgarten on Schwarzstrasse 22.
Next door is the "Salzburger Marionettentheater". It was founded in 1913 and is one of Europe's largest and most famous marionette theaters.
"Mozarts Geburtshaus" (Mozarts Birthplace) is located on Getreidegasse 9. This has to be the most visited place in Salzburg. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in a third floor apartment in this house, he lived here with his family until 1773. He started composing at the age of 4 and also he played the violin as a boy. Here you will find his first piano, a plaque marking the spot where his crip stood and a painting of him and his family.
"Mozarts Wohnhaus" (Mozarts Residence) on Makartplatz 8. Mozart lived here until 1780, composing symphonies, serenades, piano, violin concertos, and sacred music. Today, the residence contains a museum dedicated to Mozart and his family, along with furnishings of the period. The best thing I found when visiting, is when you come in they hand you earphones, which automatically get activated by the various displays, complete with music, and a movie showing the child prodigy's life in Salzburg and his tours of Europe, it is so cool to see.
"Festung Hohensalzburg" (Hohensalzburg Fortress) on Mønchsberg 34. This is really a must see. Dominating the city from high above on a cliff is this medieval fortress/castle, built between the 11th and 17th century. This was used as a residence for the prince-archbishops who ruled Salzburg for more than 500 years. It contains the "State Rooms" of the former archbishops and 2 museums. There is only one problem to be able to go into the museum, you have to take a tour, they are conducted in English only and only if there are enough English speaking people who want to participate. Best bet would be to check with the tour office at the fortress. I have taken this tour, and found it to be quite interesting. Somehow you feel as though someone is constantly watching you, kinda strange, but, alot of people have said that. The tour takes you through dark corridors and unfurnished chambers, including the torture chamber. The fortress also has a huge open-air "Barrel Organ", which used to ring at the end of each day to signal the closing of the city gates. Now it's played I believe 3x a day, but only during special months, don't remember when though. The most valuable item you will find at the fortress is a late gothic porcelain stove dating back to 1501. The "Fortress Museum" displays weapons used in peasent revolts, furniture, and a macabre collection of medieval torture devices.
"Hellbrunn Palace" which is about 3 miles south of the city. It was built as a hunting lodge and summer residence for Salzburg's prince-bishops in the 17th century. The palace is an impressive example of the wealth and comfort controlled by absolute rulers at that time. It features dozens of hidden trick fountains and water sprays in it's large baroque gardens. I have gone on alot of tours, but, this one was really alot of fun, this is where laughing, running and hiding is expected, more then likely you will end up soaked, remember the hidden fountains and water sprays :-).
"Bürgerspital Spielzeug Museum" (Toy Museum), Bürgerspitalgasse 2. This used to be the Municipal Hospital and now it's a museum filled with every conceivable toy you could ever think of, such as a hand-carved "Noah's Ark", a "merry-go-round", "model
trains" to "dolls", "cutouts", and cardboard theaters dating from the 16th century to now.
"Catacombs of St. Peter's Church", on St. Peter-Bezirk 1. This church in the Altstadt has a lovely rococo interior and is surrounded by one of the most picturesque cemetaries I have ever seen.
The "Dom" (Cathedral), Domplatz. The "Salzburger Dom" is located right in the middle of the Altstadt, it was built in the 8th century and destroyed by fire in the 16th. The present "Dom" is the finest example of an early baroque building north of the Alps. This is where Mozart was baptized and engaged as a court organist. It is also known for its three bronze doors and 4000-pipe organ.
"Haus der Natur" (Museum of Natural History), located at the Museumplatz 5. There are about 80 exhibition rooms, located on five floors, here you will find practically everything that lives or grows, it is brilliantly displayed. Without a doubt this is one of the best natural-history museums in Europe.
"Trachtenmuseum" (Nat'l Costum Museum) at Griesgasse 23. Those who plan on taking home a Dirndl or Lederhose should go here first. Here you will find Traditional Salzburg dress from the 18th-20th century on display.
"Untersberg" the mountain dominating Salzburg, is 6,115 feet above sea level and 7 miles south of the city in Leonhard. "Untersberg, will probably be one of the highlights of your trip, especially if this is your only excursion to Salzburg's surrounding Alpine scenery.
"Hallein" is 10 miles south of Salzburg, it is famous for its "salt mines" near the mountain "Dürnberg". The mines have been in operation since Celtic Times as early as 600 B.C. which gave Salzburg its name and fortune.
Well, folks this concludes another tour, I really hope that you enjoyed yourself and that you will check out my other tours. Have a great day and "KEEP SMILING" :-), it's always good for what ails you!!.
How about a little skiing at~~"Zell am See, Austria"
"Mozart" was born here, and "Salzburg" is known for the grandest music festivals in the world.
"Die Weisse Bråustüberl and "Bråugasthof Rupertihof" on Rupertgasse 10 and Virgilgasse 9, specializes in wheat beer. You can eat in both but, at the Bråugasthof you have to get your own beer, sorry no waitresses, at least not the last time I was there.
Last but not least, we have the "Rockhouse" on Schallmooser Hauptstraße 46, it is an alternative music venue that's actually several establishments in one, including a cafe, a large concert hall featuring local and international bands playing jazz, funk, blues, techno and everything in between. One thing they don't have as far as music goes is folk and classical.
Orchestra concerts and chamber music as well as organ recitals are presented in the "Mozarteum", Schwartzstraße 26.
At the "Salzburger Mozart-Serenaden" in the Gothic Hall of St. Blasius Church, Bürgerspital 2 is where Mozarts famous chamber music is performed.
The "Salzburger Schlosskonzerte" (Salzburg Palace Concerts) take place all year-round in the Mirabell Palace. The chamber-music series presents Mozart's music and music from the baroque to the contemperary. Concerts are held in small baroque rooms like in Mozart's time.
The "Festungskonzerte" features concerts in the medieval Prince's chambers. The Salzburger-Mozart Ensemble is featured here as are guest musicians.
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