Salzburg City Guide
Famous for the Sound of Music and Mozart, Austria’s fourth largest city is not only picturesque, with rolling hills, mountains and the river Salzach; but it is also rich in history and culture. Wander around the baroque Old Town, take a cable car into the mountains or explore modern art in lovely Salzburg.
What to do and see in and around Salzburg
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Dating back to 1077 the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest completely preserved fortress in central Europe and has served as a place of refuge for the archbishops during the Hungarian War and the Peasants’ War as well as a military barracks and a prison. Nowadays the fortress is open to the public.
The Salzburg Museum
This newly opened museum is located in an attractive white 400 year old Palazzo on Mozart Square. The 3,000 m2 space serves as a portrait of Salzburg, covering everything from art and multimedia installations to interesting facts and Salzburg celebrities, with plenty more beside.
Mozart’s Birthplace
Those interested in classical music will be particularly interested in Number 9, Getreidegasse, which on January 27, 1756 saw the birth of perhaps the most well known composer in the world, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The house is now a museum dedicated to Mozart where you can look at various fascinating exhibits, including his musical instruments and correspondence from the Mozart family.
Salzburg Cathedral
This early Baroque masterpiece is the legacy left to Salzburg by its archbishops. Originally built in 767 by Bishop Virgil, the Cathedral has undergone a number of reconstructions brought on by fire and air raids and was consecrated for the last time in 1959. In the Cathedral you can see the font in which Mozart was baptised.
The Michael Haydn Museum
Housed in St. Peter’s Monastery is the Michael Haydn Museum, a shrine to the 18th century Austrian composer, which displays artifacts related to the man himself and his music. There is also a listening station for those who want to listen to his music.
Salzburg Residenz Gallery
This magnificent 17th century building is home to a permanent collection of European paintings from the 16th and 19th century with work from Dutch and Austrian Masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Brueghel and Amerling as well as Italian and French works. There is also a regular rotation of temporary exhibitions.
St. Peter's Abbey
Dating back to 700, this still active monastery was founded by Rupert (Hroudbert) a Frankish missionary at the time. This attractive church pays homage to a number of different architectural styles, such as Romanesque, Rokoko and Renaissance. The Abbey has also served as a muse for both Mozart and Haydn.
Salzburg Mönchsberg Museum of Modern Art
This unusual looking building is the perfect space in which to house modern art. The museum features a collection of classical modern art, post World-War II art and contemporary art.
Mozart Square
For more Mozart head along to Mozart Square to see the statue of the composer by Ludwig Schwanthaler which was unveiled in 1842.
Untersberg Cableway
For magnificent views of the Rositten Valley enjoy a ride on the Untersberg Cableway to the top of the Untersberg mountain. The view of the Salzburg Lake District from the summit is not to be missed.
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