General Sightseeing and Orientation in Salzburg

Salzburg lies in the Salzburger Becken on the Northern border of the Alps surrounded by mountains standing alongside the Salzach River near the border with Germany.

The old town on the south bank of the river is home to churches, fountains and courtyards. The main feature of the old town is the Monchsberg, which is a big rock face that protected the city during the middle ages and Salzburg cathedral which is bordered by two squares, the Residenzplatz and the Kapitelplatz, which are a good place to see open air concerts during the summer months. The western part of the old town is home to the two famous festival halls, festival Festpielhauser and Pferdeschwemme.

Salzburg is also the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who was born in the city in 1756 and composed all of his major works in the city. In 1842 a monument of Mozart was erected in Mozart Square and tours offer visitors a musical pilgrimage visiting Mozart's birthplace and the grave of his father and widow.

Places to Visit in Salzburg

Mozart Museum
Getreidegasse 9
A - 5020
Salzburg

This building was the home of the Leopold Mozart family from 1747 to 1773. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here on January 27 1756. Famous exhibits include Mozart's childhood violin, concert violin and pianoforte as well as portraits and correspondence of the Mozart family. This is also the home of the International Mozart Foundation who set up the museum in 1880.

Hohensalzburg Fortress
Monchsberg 34
Salzburg

The Hohensalzburg Fortress was built in 1077 is Salzburg's leading landmark and is the largest fully preserved fortress in Central Europe. The fortress stands on a rock 120 metres above the city and dates back to the investiture controversy between the emperor and the pope. Having served as the temporary residence of the prince archbishops and a fortification, the princes' apartments and the fortress museum are particularly interesting. The Hohensalzburg fortress can be reached by funicular railway, from the Festungsgasse.

Hellbrunn Palace
Furstenweg 37
Salzburg

The Hellbrunn Palace is located 4 kilometres south of the old town and was built in the 17th century by bishop Marcus Sitticus.
The palace with its spacious park and unique trick fountains remains one of the most magnificent Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. Water is the main theme in the design of the palace with the many sources in the Hellbrunn Mountain bringing life to the estate with the world famous Wasserspiele hidden in trees or jetting out of surprising hiding places. The natural stone quarry was transformed into a stage and is the largest open-air stage in Europe.
Admission is with a guided tour only.