Highlights in Salzburg

The Hohensalzburg Fortress, the symbol of the Mozart City, is the largest, completely intact fortress in Middle-Europe.

Fortress Hohensalzburg is a real eye-catcher peaking out high above the baroque towers of the city. The castle in Salzburg is an unmistakable landmark providing the city’s world famous silhouette. Even from afar the visitor is able to appreciate the might of this edifice. Up close the history contained in these powerful walls is almost tangible.

Welcome to Fortress Hohensalzburg!

Fortress Hohensalzburg is a monument of over 900 years and is one of the largest existing 11th century fortresses in Europe. Every crevice of the walls, every nook and cranny of this magnificent complex brings forth its own fascinating background information, stories, myths and legends. Look back to the everyday lives of yesteryear as they may well have been in this centre of political power in the days of the archbishops.

Great views

Today Fortress Hohensalzburg is a popular destination for trips and outings, and a must-see for every visitor to Salzburg. The highlights include the magnificent regency rooms which are among some of the most beautiful gothic secular chambers in Europe; the great 360° panorama view offered by the ‘Reckturm’ watchtower, and the fantastic and sophisticated atmosphere generated at the numerous fortress concerts.

Then there’s the torture chamber, the illuminated lower church and the fortress museum. Alternatively, pass your time under one of the ancient Tilia trees in the idyllic surroundings of the castle courtyard – even the courtyard has a few stories to tell!

Over the rooftops of Mozart´s city

Fortress Hohensalzburg offers visitors a stunning view of the city of Salzburg and its environs. The Fortress is accessed from Kapitelplatz through the Festungsgasse; visitors can choose between the funicular, departing every 10 minutes, or taking a 20-minute walk to the top.

Marry on the fortress Hohensalzburg!

Fortress Hohensalzburg is one of the most wonderful places to marry in Salzburg! The registry office Salzburg performs wedding ceremonies in the castle hall of the fortress. The castle hall with its rustic charm can accommodate about 150 wedding guests.

History of Hohensalzburg Fortress

Built in 1077 by Prince Gebhard I of Helffenstein during the investiture controversy between the German Emperor Heinrich IV and Pope Gregor.

Archbishop Gebhard was forced into exile in 1085, causing his plans to build the stronghold to be carried out by his successors. Today it is considered to be the largest fortification in Europe, covering an area of over 14,000 m². The Fortress is federally owned, although it has been under the Province of Salzburg´s administration since 1953.

The Fortress´s Romanesque walls surround the Great Hall, the living quarters still comprising the main part of the "Hoher Stock" or castle keep. Numerous secondary buildings and a private chapel are part of the fortifications. Colorful events bring new life to the fortress, the romantic courtyard and the bastions all year round.

Fortress Hohensalzburg was newly adapted at the end of the 19th century. It is easily accessed by funicular, installed in 1892, reaching the top in just 1 minute.

The Hellbrunn Palace and trick fountains, which are magnificent examples of mannerist architecture north of the Alps, are unique in Europe.

Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains

During your visit to the trick fountains you will experience the same whimsical pranks that Markus Sittikus played on his guests centuries ago.

Experience history in its most refreshing form!

Visit the summer residence with its works of art, explore the spacious park and enjoy the world-famous trick fountains with their grottos and jets and water-driven gadgets.

Original shooting locations of the movie "The Sound of Music"

One of the most famous and romantic scenes was filmed here in the Sound of Music Pavillon: "I am 16 going on 17".

The Salzburg Zoo at Hellbrunn is committed to exhibiting its many local and exotic species in their natural environments.

Salzburg`s Zoo keeping animals, both native and exotic, in an environment close to their natural surroundings has become the hallmark of Salzburg´s Zoo. One of the zoo´s main goals is to ensure a harmonious balance between the beauty of the local landscape in Hellbrunn and the natural environment of the animals. Special habitats are continually being developed, enabling visitors of all ages to experience the natural balance between flora and fauna. These habitats have been created using natural materials to enable animal communities from similar surroundings to be observed together in captivity.

In the new "African Savannah", for example, rhinoceros, antelopes and guinea-fowl co-exist. Other exhibits show the fauna in America or the animals in Eurasia (bears and lynx, chamois, groundhogs and river otters). A visit to Hellbrunn is an educational experience for young and old. Observing familiar local species and creatures from other continents is both entertaining and informative. Take the time to wander through the spacious zoological landscape and experience the life on other, often distant continents.

Salzburg Zoo is structured according to the different continents, which allows you to travel the entire planet within a short while.

Africa

In the centre lies the savannah, inhabited by white rhinos, zebras and antelopes, as well as the extensive bird park with ist cruising pelicans, struttig cranes and craceful flamingos. The Salzburg Zoo is especially famous for ist 60 km/h fast prey simulator in thee cheetha enclosure.

Europe and Asia

See the local inhabitant of the alps - the ibex, the chamois and the new immigrants to this region - the wolf, the bear and the lynx. The red panda, the white handed gibbon and the stealthy snow leopard are further representatives of the Asian continent.

America

Highlighted are the American rainforest habitats, with their various primates, coatis and the razor sharp toothed peccaries. As in all forests the predators - jaguar and cougar - are lurking nearby.

The Casino Salzburg, located in the lavish, baroque Kleßheim Palace, is one of world’s most beautiful casinos.

Experience the thrills of international gaming and exciting opportunities to win. Don’t miss the culinary treats served in the palace restaurant!

Due to its large size, the Kleßheim Palace contains of a wide range of interior decors. A large portion of interior is occupied by the casino. The combination of baroque art and modern gaming gives this casino its unique flair.

Casino Salzburg, the second Austrian casino, opened on 1 July 1934 in Schloss Mirabell. It closed down during the Second World War and reopened in July 1950. As it grew larger, it became necessary to move to new premises and so the casino took up residence in 1977 in Café Restaurant Winkler on the Mönchsberg overlooking the city.

More and more visitors came to the casino and new games were introduced so that a further enlargement became necessary. The additional premises at Schloss Klessheim were so popular that Casinos Austria decided to make it the casino’s permanent home.

Architecture

The magnificent baroque castle on the outskirts of Salzburg was designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Austria’s greatest baroque architect. He based his design on Versailles and the Palladian style of northern Italy. The castle itself is extremely spacious and the casino occupies a large part of it. The combination of baroque art and modern gaming give the casino an atmosphere of its own.

15,000 magnificent square metres – 2,000 stunning exhibits – 1,300 moving years.

Baroque Authority – Baroque Glory

The Salzburg Cathedral and Residenz Palace create the historical centre of the city of Salzburg. For 200 years, the passages between the prince archbishop’s palace, the cathedral oratories as well as the cabinet of art and painting galleries were either closed or walled off. With the creation of the DomQuartier, the original unit of the cathedral and palace complex – including St. Peter’s Benedictine monastery – has now been restored. A tour makes it possible to get new views of the city as well as unfamiliar insight into the architectural sights and Baroque treasures. With this, 134 doors opened to 2,000 exhibits from 1,300 years of art and cultural history on 15,000 square metres.

The worldly and religious powers of Salzburg’s prince archbishops manifest themselves in this unique architectural highlight. Since the middle ages, they ruled over worldly concerns as princes and directed the history of the church as archbishops and metropolitans. They began more than 400 years ago to transform this wealthy city into a Baroque jewel based on Italian style. For this, they fetched the most prominent architects of their time to Salzburg. They created a city planning masterpiece that is treasured and protected today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tour through the DomQuartier goes back to Prince Archbishop Guidobald von Thun. He was one of the most important builders of Baroque Salzburg. During his 14-year rule (1654–1668), he shaped the city incredibly. He ordered the construction of the cathedral archways, organised the design of the Residenzplatz (Residence Square) and Domplatz (Cathedral Square) and also built an art gallery – today’s Long Gallery at St. Peter’s Abbey. With this, he also created the connection pathways between the cathedral and palace, as well as to St. Peter’s. After the dissolution of Salzburg’s archbishopric in 1803, the unity between the cathedral and Residenz palace was lost. Now, after 200 years, it has been reconstructed once more.

The Tour de Baroque through the DomQuartier takes visitors first through the state rooms of the Salzburg Residenz Palace, home to the prince archbishops’ living quarters and official seat. Opulent interiors, extravagant stucco and superb ceiling frescoes are witnesses to the mission of the rulers to present themselves in a magnificent way. Continue to the Residence Gallery, home to European paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries with a clear focus on Baroque.

The following cathedral archways terrace connects the worldly with the spiritual: the Cathedral. About 400 years ago on 14 April 1614, Archbishop Marcus Sitticus von Hohenems laid the cornerstone of this Baroque cathedral. It was consecrated in 1628 by his successor Paris Lodron. The cathedral archways terrace – to some extent between heaven and earth – provides beautiful, unparalleled views of the city.

Structurally returned to its original state, the North Oratory of the Salzburg Cathedral will host changing special exhibitions in the future. First up is the Salzburg Museum with its Rossacher Collection. The organ gallery, which is home to an impressive view into the cathedral, opens the path to the Cathedral Museum, cabinet of art and Long Gallery, as well as the Museum of St. Peter in the newly adapted “Wallistrakt” wing. After a view into the Gothic chancel of the Franciscan Church, the tour ends in the stately Carabinieri Hall of the Residenz Palace.

 Hand in hand with the development of the DomQuartier as a structural and functional unit is that of the rich cultural heritage that dates back to the 8th century when Salzburg was Christianised. Even though the secularisation of Salzburg saw many valuable artistic pieces leave the country, the collection of the participating institutions can be seen today.

In addition to the works of art from the Residence Gallery, Cathedral Museum and Salzburg Museum, St. Peter"s Abbey presents its valuable treasures in one permanent museum – built just for this purpose. The St. Peter Benedictine monastery, located adjacent to the cathedral-residence complex, is considered the oldest continuously existing monastery in the German-speaking world and has made significant contributions to the development of Salzburg’s cultural and spiritual life. The abbey boasts an art collection with an estimated 40,000 pieces. The most beautiful pieces are displayed in the newly founded Museum of St. Peter for the first time since 1982.

With the creation of the DomQuartier, a synopsis of 1,300 years of power, art and church history is brought to life thanks to 2,000 exhibits – embedded in the distinct architecture of a unique complex in Europe.

One tour, one ticket, one experience

The Salzburg Stiegl brewery, Austria’s largest private brewery, takes visitors on an exciting tour of the history of beer going back thousands of years.

There is much to tell and experience about the oldest cultural drink of mankind. The Stiegl brewing world combines traditional brewing art with regional culture and living innovation. The beer world is one of Salzburg"s most exciting attractions and offers guests countless opportunities to discover Austria"s popular barley juice with all their senses.

Also for returning visitors there are many reasons to visit the beer experience world again, since the beer exhibition was (r)aut.

In addition to the interactive Stiegl Museum, which covers more than 5,000 m², the multivisual Stiegl-Braukino awaits you. In addition, the beer experience world has its own typically beery gastronomy.

In the Bräustüberl and beer garden, beer lovers and connoisseurs can expect a varied selection of Stiegl beer specialities, a cosy brewery atmosphere and selected Austrian delicacies. On the other hand, in the Paracelsusstube, the restaurant of the Stiegl-Brauwelt, you can rely on down-to-earth Austrian cuisine at the highest level. In the Maschinenhaus of the Brauwelt gastronomy you can taste and buy creative beer cocktails as well as national and international beer specialities.

In the Braushop the beer friend finds all kinds of beer accessories such as shirts, books, glasses as well as seasonal "product tidbits from the beer world". A highlight in the shop is the Stiegl fashion, which is offered as women"s and men"s collections in the three lines Fashion, Classic and Sport. Here the range extends from classic casual leisure fashion to trendy basics and functional sportswear. The fashion range is rounded off with matching accessories such as knitted hats, belts, scarves, scarves and bags.

In the Stieglitz of the Brauwelt gastronomy you can taste and buy creative beer cocktails as well as national and international beer specialities.

The Stiegl-Brauwelt - a place to enjoy and feel good.

Also for returning visitors there are many reasons to visit the beer experience world again, because the beer exhibition was rebuilt.

Mozart lived here from 1773 to 1780. Exhibits relating to the life of the Mozart Family and history of the building.

The earliest documentary evidence we have of Mozart´s Residence, also known as the Tanzmeisterhaus (dancing master´s house), dates back to 1617. It consisted of two buildings until 1685. On August 3, 1711 Lorenz Speckner was given permission by decree to hold dancing lessons for the aristocracy in the building. In the 1713 "description of souls" (today´s census) the house was already referred to as the Tanzmeisterhaus. The house was turned over to the highly aristocratic dancing master and "ante camera" valet, Franz Karl Gottlieb Speckner (approx. 1705 - 1767), son of Lorenz, on September 9, 1739. In those days a dancing master played an important role: he not only gave young aristocrats dancing lessons but also prepared them for life at court and was perfectly conversant with the complicated court ceremonial.

On November 15, 1747 Franz Gottlieb Speckner was one of the witnesses to the marriage of Mozart´s parents. The Mozart family had considered moving to a larger residence as early as December 1765; their quarters on the third floor of the Hagenauer House located in today´s Getreidegasse 9 consisted of a kitchen, a chamber and one living room, bedroom and study.

Mozart wrote many works in this house: Symphonies, Divertimenti, serenades, piano and violin concertos and arias

Leopold Mozart wrote to his landlord, Johann Lorenz Hagenauer (1712 - 1792) from the Hague: "For example, where will my daughter sleep? Where will Wolfgang take up his quarters? Where will I find room for him to study and go about his work, which he will be sure to have in abundance? And where will I stay? My children and I should each have his own place so not to trouble the others. Can you possibly have a few more rooms built on?"

Speckner died on May 15, 1767 at the age of 62. The inheritance went to his cousin, Maria Anna Raab (1710 - April 5, 1788) who was to go in the annals of Mozart literature as Tanzmeister Mitzerl.. She no longer organized balls but resorted to renting, making the large ballroom available to wedding parties. During the Mozart family´s extensive journey throughout western Europe (1763 - 1766) the plans to move to another house were pushed aside. On February 20, 1771 Leopold wrote to his wife from Venice: "... Home! I just remembered that we cannot live at home. Please write me to advise whether we shall take lodgings at the Sailerwirt (former inn, Getreidegasse 10), the Stern (today´s Sternbräu, Getreidegasse 34-36) or at the Saulentzl (former inn with butcher´s shop, Goldgasse 13). It shall probably be best for me to stay at the Löchl (the Löchlwirt, today´s Restaurant Eulenspiegel, Hagenauerplatz 2), where I shall be near the Hagenauer House (Leopold only had to cross the square). The way we have been sleeping with each other (like soldiers) cannot continue; Wolfgang is no longer 7 years old, etc.".

A place of Mozart´s moving family story

After their third journey to Vienna (mid-July to September 25, 1773) the Mozarts moved into their new domicile on the former Hannibalplatz (today´s Makart Square 8). The spacious residence was large enough to receive friends and musicians. The actor, theater director and librettist of "The Magic Flute", Emanuel Schikaneder (1751-1812), was a frequent visitor. In this house Wolfgang wrote symphonies, divertimenti, serenades, piano and violin concerti and a bassoon concerto, arias, masses and other sacred music from 1773 - 1780. He composed the "Re pastore" K. 208, began his "La Finta giardiniera" K. 196 and "Idomeneo" K. 366. From 1773 to 1787, the year in which Leopold died, the Mozart family wrote 232 letters of which we have knowledge and a total of 215 letters were received at this address. Many letters were lost or no longer exist. Wolfgang often made fun of his landlady Mitzerl. On December 30, 1774 he wrote his sister from Munich: "... Give my best to the Virgin Mizerl, she shall not doubt my love for her, I constantly see her before me in her beguiling negligée; I have seen many an attractive maiden here but none can match her beauty ." This quotation has caused many Mozart biographers to see Mizerl as a girlfriend of Mozart´s but the good housewife was 46 years older than the 18-year-old Wolfgang at that time...

Mozart´s mother died in Paris in 1778, Mozart´s sister Nannerl married and moved to St. Gilgen in 1784, leaving Leopold to live alone in the spacious quarters. On July 25, 1785 his grandson, Leopold Alois Pantaleon, was born at the house († June 15, 1840 at Innsbruck) and left in the care of his grandfather. The house had various owners after Leopold Mozart´s death on May 28, 1787. A bomb struck the house on October 16, 1944, destroying two-thirds of the building. The owner at that time sold the destroyed section to the Assicurazioni Generali, who erected an office building on the site which the International Mozarteum Foundation was able to purchase in 1989. The International Mozarteum Foundation had already purchased the preserved section of the Tanzmeistersaal in 1955 and turned it into a museum. The office building was torn down on May 2, 1994 and reconstruction according to old plans commenced on May 4th.

The house where Wolfgang Amadé Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 is today one of the most visited museums in the world.

Mozart´s Birthplace at Getreidegasse no. 9 (Salzburg´s pedestrian zone) is one of the most famous buildings in the city and probably one of the most famous in the world. Here, the Mozart family lived from 1747 to 1773 and the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. Today, the rooms once occupied by the Mozart family house a museum. The most famous exhibits include:

• Mozart´s childhood violin
• his concert violin
• the pianoforte (his clavichord)
• portraits and correspondence of the Mozart family.

The International Mozart Foundation first set up a museum in Mozart´s Birthplace in the early 1880´s. During the last few decades, the museum was renovated several times and has become a cultural site attracting thousands of visitors from around the world to Salzburg year after year.

The museum in Mozart´s Birthplace attracts thousands of visitors to Salzburg

The Mozart family lived on the third floor of the "Hagenauer House" for nearly a quarter century. The house was named after its owner and Mozart´s friend, the grocer Johann Lorenz Hagenauer (1712 - 1792), and consisted of a kitchen, a small chamber, a living room, bedroom and study. On exhibit in the historical rooms are manuscripts (facsimiles), documents, souvenirs and also the original portraits of the family members. For example such as the 1789 unfinished oil painting "Mozart at the Piano" by his brother-in-law Joseph Lange as well as the historical instruments (Mozart´s concert piano, clavichord, Mozart´s concert and child´s violin and his viola). The Mozarteum Foundation acquired Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart´s instruments from his widow Constanze Nissen (1762 - 1842) and her sons Carl Thomas (1784 - 1858) and Franz Xaver Wolfgang (1791 - 1844).

The museum shows many exhibits of the illustrious Salzburg Mozart family

In 1994, Mozart´s Birthplace was carefully renovated and reorganized by the Viennese architect Elsa Prochazka, according to state of the art museum technology to protect the exhibits from damage.

In 1985, the apartment of Mozart´s neighbor, Babette von Moll, the aunt of the famous Salzburg geologist and natural scientist Karl von Moll (1760 - 1838), located in the rear part of the house facing the university Square, was redecorated with private funds into a "commoner´s apartment in Salzburg in Mozart´s time". In addition to furniture and everyday utensils, three themes are documented:

• "Mozart and the university of Salzburg"
• "Mozart´s friendship to Salzburg families" and
• "Sacred music and reverence of the saints".

The second floor is dedicated to the theme "Mozart at the Theater". Numerous diorams (miniature stages) illustrate the history of the reception of Mozart´s operas. Stage sets from the late 18th to the 20th century display the many different interpretations of Mozart´s works. Since 1981, different "Mozart" exhibitions on the first floor of Mozart´s Birthplace have been presented each year.