Sights in Salzburg
-
Salzwelten SalzBurg
Austria’s biggest show-mine, Salzwelten Salzburg pays tribute to the salt that filled Salzburg’s coffers during its princely heyday. Visitors don an Oompa Loompa–style boiler suit to descend to the bowls of the earth and board a rickety train. The tour passes through a maze of claustrophobic passageways, over the border to Germany and down a 27m slide – don’t break, lift your legs and ask the guide to add wax for extra speed! After crossing a salt lake on a wooden raft, a 42m slide brings you to the lowest point (210m underground) and back to good old Austria. Guided tours depart every half an hour. Bus 41 (€1.80, 12 minutes) runs from Hallein train station hourly on …
reviewed
-
A
Salzburg Persönlich
On the 1st floor of the Salzburg Museum, Salzburg Persönlich offers fascinating insight into the characters that have shaped the city's history, including the alchemist Paracelsus and performer Richard Mayr; kids love to watch the birdie-style camera that takes nostalgic portrait shots you can send home by email.
Upstairs, prince-archbishops glower down from the walls at Mythos Salzburg, which celebrates the city as a source of artistic and poetic inspiration over the ages. Be sure to glimpse Carl Spitzweg's renowned Sonntagsspaziergang (Sunday Stroll) painting and the home-videos of Asian tourists giving their unique take on Salzburg.
reviewed
-
Schloss Hellbrunn
An archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus built the yellow-painted Schloss Hellbrunn in the 17th century as a pleasure palace and an escape vault from his functions at Residenz. The Italianate villa became a wild retreat for rulers of state who flocked here to eat, drink and generally be merry. It was a Garden of Eden to all who beheld its exotic fauna, citrus trees and trick fountains – designed to sober up quaffing clerics without dampening their spirits. Domenico Gisberti, poet to the court of Munich, once penned: ‘I see the epitome of Venice in these waters, Rome reduced to a brief outline.’
reviewed
-
Burg Hohenwerfen
Burg Hohenwerfen is set against the backdrop of the glowering Tennengebirge range, the fortress was built in the 11th century to guard the valley and Salzach River below, but its current appearance dates to 1570. Highlights include the 16th-century belfry that commands far-reaching views over Werfen and the dungeons that display the usual nasties such as the iron maiden and thumb screw. The entry fee also covers the spectacular falconry show in the grounds (11am and 3pm), where falconers in medieval costume release eagles, owls, falcons and vultures to wheel in front of the ramparts. There is a commentary in English and German.
reviewed
-
Keltenmuseum
Recently brought bang up to date with an all-glass façade overlooking the Salzach, the Keltenmuseum runs chronologically through the region’s heritage in a series of beautiful vaulted rooms. It begins with a fine collection of Celtic artefacts including Asterix-style helmets, an impressively reconstructed chariot and a selection of bronze brooches, pendants and buckles. The 1st floor traces the history of salt extraction in Hallein, featuring high points such as a miniature slide and the mummified Mannes im Salz (man in salt) unearthed in 1577. There is a pamphlet with English explanations (€2.50).
reviewed
-
B
Stiftskirche St Peter
Turning left at the first courtyard off Franziskanergasse brings you to the marvellously ornate Stiftskirche St Peter. Beneath a green stuccoed ceiling lit by chandeliers, the walls are smothered with religious art and baroque swirls. Look out for the dramatic statue of the archangel Michael shoving a crucifix through the throat of a goaty demon. The graveyard is home to the so-called catacombs, cavelike chapels and crypts hewn out of the cliff face.
reviewed
-
C
Museum
Perched atop Mönchsberg, this white-marble, oblong-shaped museum stands in stark contrast to the fortress. The futuristic glass-and-concrete reels in art aficionados with its rotating exhibitions of 20th- and 21st-century works. While you’re up here, enjoy an espresso and fabulous views on the panoramic terrace of M32, or nip into James Turrell’s cylindrical Sky Space to while away the hours gazing up at the sky.
reviewed
-
Eisriesenwelt
Billed as the world’s largest accessible ice caves, Eisriesenwelt is a glittering ice empire that spans 30,000 sq m and comprises 42km of narrow passages burrowing deep into the glacial heart of the mountains. It may feel warm outside, but temperatures plummet to subzero as soon as you enter the crevice in the cliffs; similar to the blast of cold air that hits you upon opening the freezer. Be sure to pack sturdy footwear and warm layers.
reviewed
-
D
Festung Hohensalzburg
Rising like a vision above Salzburg, this mighty 900-year-old fortress is one of the biggest and best-preserved in Europe. It’s easy to spend a half a day up here, roaming the ramparts for far-reaching views over the city’s spires, the Salzach and surrounding Alps. The fortress is a steep 15-minute jaunt from the centre, or a speedy ride in the glass Festungsbahn funicular (included in the ticket price).
reviewed
-
Wasserspiele
Today, Hellbrunn attracts the giggling tourist masses in summer; most are here for the fabulously eccentric Wasserspiele. Be prepared to get very wet as you wander past stone lions, cherubs and statues that drench you with water when you least expect it. For a right good soaking, step inside the mother-of-pearl Neptune Grotto or gaze up to admire the 200 limewood figurines at the water-driven Mechanical Theatre. Tours run every 30 minutes.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
E
Schloss Mirabell
The 17th-century Schloss Mirabell was built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress Salome Alt, who bore the archbishop at least 10 children (sources disagree on the exact number - poor Wolf was presumably too distracted by spiritual matters to keep count himself). The best way to experience the Mirabell magic is to attend a lunchtime or evening concert in the palace's magnificent Marble Hall, which boasts chandeliers and wall reliefs.
reviewed
-
Burg Mauterndorf
The centrepiece of the village Mauterndorf is medieval Burg Mauterndorf. Dominating a rocky outcrop, this 13th-century castle was built by the archbishops of Salzburg on the site of a Roman fort. The castle now houses a regional museum and provides the backdrop for various cultural events. It is believed that in the Middle Ages the main road passed directly through the castle courtyard and tolls were extracted from road users.
reviewed
-
F
ResidenzTTT
The Residenz was the not-so-humble dwelling of the archbishops until the 19th century. An audio guide tour takes in the unashamedly opulent state rooms, festooned with tapestries and frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the Konferenz Saal, where Mozart gave his first public performance (Violin Concerto No 5 in A Major) at the ripe old age of six.
reviewed
-
G
Brewery
Beer lovers should check out Austria’s largest private brewery, where a tour runs through the different stages of the brewing process and includes a peek at the world’s tallest beer tower. For those who would rather quaff brews than learn about them, a free Stiegl beer and pretzel are thrown in for the price of a ticket.
reviewed
-
H
Dom
Soaring skywards, the 15th-century Dom5 features three bronze doors symbolising – left to right as you face them –faith, hope and charity. Its striking cupola was rebuilt after being destroyed by a bomb in 1944. Step inside to see the dome and the Romanesque font where Mozart was baptised.
reviewed
-
I
Pferdeschwemme
Stroll left to reach Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz and the Pferdeschwemme10, a rather elaborate drinking spot for the archbishops’ mounts. Created in 1700, this is a horse-lover’s delight, with rearing equine pin-ups surrounding Michael Bernhard Mandl’s statue of a horse tamer.
reviewed
-
J
Mozarts Geburtshaus
Mozarts Geburtshaus is where Mozart spent the first 17 years of his life. In the first room, the holy Wolfgang is shown as a babe beneath a fluorescent blue halo. Other curiosities include the mini-violin that Amadeus played as a toddler, plus a lock of his hair and buttons from his jacket.
reviewed
-
Freilicht Museum
Near Untersberg, the open-air Freilicht Museum steps back in time and back to nature. There are 60 traditional Austrian farmhouses to explore, tractors to clamber over, goats to feed and a huge adventure playground to run around in.
reviewed
-
K
Miracle’s Wax Museum
Miracle’s Wax Museum is the place to sniff out Mozart eau de toilette (€15), pocket a pair of yodeller’s lederhosen (€13) or snap up a gorgeous Sissi bust (€10) to grace your mantelpiece.
reviewed
-
L
Christmas Market
In the city where Silent Night was composed, it's little wonder that Advent is a big deal; the Christmas Market on Domplatz is a festive highlight, with carol singers and the obligatory stalls offering gingerbread and mulled wine.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
M
Haus Der Natur
Aside from the above, the Haus der Natur has a massive aquarium with Nemo-style clown-fish and coral reefs, and a reptile enclosure teeming with snakes and crocs. Shark feeding time is 10.30am on Mondays.
reviewed
-
N
Salzburg Museum
Salzburg’s new flagship attraction is Salzburg Museum. Housed in the sublime Neue Residenz palace, the museum sheds light on Salzburg’s rich heritage with its hands-on exhibits.
reviewed
-
O
Residenz Galerie
The admission covers the Residenz Galerie, which features a superb collection of Dutch and Flemish works, including a clutch of masterpieces from the likes of Rembrandt and Rubens.
reviewed
-
P
Kollegienkirche
The western end of Franziskanergasse opens into Max-Reinhardt-Platz, where you’ll see the back of Fischer von Erlach’s baroque Kollegienkirche9.
reviewed
-
Q
Kunsthalle
A visit to the Salzburg Museum starts beneath the cobbled courtyard in the impressively illuminated Kunsthalle, which presents rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
reviewed
