Mention the word Salzburg, and you will instantly have the attention of Mozart and "The Sound of Music" fans. This central Austrian city is an excellent day trip for many other reasons. Located on the northern edge of the alps, Salzburg is scenic and compact. Aside from being known as Mozart's birthplace and filming location for "The Sound of Music", it is also famous for its baroque architecture which deemed the old town a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for the the Salzburg music festival, which draws classical music fans from far and wide. Here, we count down the top places to see in Salzburg on a day trip.
Watch the behind the scenes video where we go on a quest to find Mozart's house:
Music Credit: Mozart | All videos shot with iPhone 6 | Editing: iMovie
Here are the Top 5 Sights to Photograph:
1. Hohensalzburg - translates to "high Salzburg fortress" perched high above the baroque towers of the city. It is the city's famous landmark and one of the largest, fully preserved medieval castles in Europe. Construction began in 1077, built under the archbishop Gebhard during the time when Salzburg was a city in the Holy Roman Empire. Even though you see many cannons at the fortress, it was never actually used in battle. It was so foreboding that nobody every attacked Salzburg for 1000 years!
The fortress is accessible by cable car, making it one of the major tourist attractions. It is also my favorite spot for panoramic views of the city. Make sure to grab a bite at one of the cafes at the top of the castle and appreciate the views of the alps.
2. Mozart's Birthplace - This is Mozart's childhood home. He lived on the third floor for 26 years and is now a museum. Mozart is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the classical period and recognized as a prodigy and one of the most prolific artists. By age 6 he was writing his own compositions. The music plays almost everywhere in this city, and many shops and tourist attractions are dedicated to him.
3. DomQuartier - If you like Baroque architecture, you will love photographing the grandiosity of the DomQuartier. The DomQuartier is the cultural highlight in the heart of the city. The archbishop was key in building this opulent city - he strived to make Salzburg the "Rome of the north". The city's planning and architecture is such a masterpiece that it is protected by UNESCO. It includes the Salzburg Cathedral constructed in the early 16oo's. The historic old town survived the ravages of the war, and is hence where most of the tourist attractions are located.
4. Residenzplatz - "Residence Square" - This part of the old town and one of the most impressive attractions in Salzburg.
5. "The Sound of Music" was filmed in 1965, and tours of the filming locations make Salzburg a popular destination.
If you are in central Europe, be sure to visit Salzburg. You don't have to be a Mozart fan, classic film geek, or architecture lover to appreciate the charm of this city. It is beautiful and easy to explore. In fact, I was able to see all this in one afternoon, but if you are here longer, don't even get me started on the nature, lakes, skiing and other adventures this area has to offer. Pin this travel guide: Comments are closed.
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Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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