Salzburg
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The city of Salzburg covered in snow. |
The old city
of Salzburg is in a beautiful location between the Salzach River and the
Monchsberg, overlooked by the Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung
Hohensalzburg). The river divides the old and new towns.
Salzburg was
the site of a Roman town, but the first Christian kingdom was established
by St Rupert, in the late seventh century. Over the centuries the
Archbishops of Salzburg became ever-more powerful and were given the
title of Prince of the Holy Roman Empire.
Salzburg is
famous as the birthplace of Mozart and although the city was not generous
towards him during his lifetime it does its level best to make the most
of him now. Everywhere you go Mozart's music is being played, and there
are two Mozart museums and even chocolate balls called Mozart Kugeln.
The
Hohensalzburg Fortress was built for the prince-archbishops and although
it is interesting to see the lavish lifestyle that they led, one of the
main reasons to come here is truly astonishing views over the Alps and
the city. The Schloss Mirabell, on the other side of the river, stands in
a large formal gardens. The palace was built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop
Wolf Dietrich for his mistress and their children. The marble hall is
covered with Baroque reliefs and lit by magnificent, sparkling
chandeliers. The fifteenth-century cathedral (Salzburger Dom) is just one
of several wonderful churches to be seen as you stroll or take a
horse-drawn carriage through the narrow streets, past ritzy shops and
cafes full of elegant, well-heeled locals.
