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Seductive and fascinating as a beautiful woman, Salzburg is counted among the most romantic cities in the world; it is said that there were three princes-bishops, lovers of art and Italy, who transformed, between the sixteenth and seventeenth century, what was a small town, in a real jewel of baroque urbanization.
Located in the north of Austria, on the border with German Bavaria, Salzburg is a beautiful city on the river Salzach and protected by imposing mountains, a few kilometers from the spectacle of the Salzkammergut (UNESCO heritage from the 1997).
The famous Mozart was born right in Salzburg, even though he never loved her! And he never made it any mystery; unequivocal, it was the declaration “I care little for Salzburg and much less for his bishop”, written in one of his letters.
The Mozaertum, dedicated to the composer, it is one of the most important musical academies of Austria and Europe; every year many events and events take place in his honor.
Probably, just one weekend in Salzburg, may not be enough. We will try to offer you a practical guide to visit the most important places without forgetting shopping and flea markets.
1st DAY WEEKEND IN SALZBURG
Survived two tragic fires, the Salzburg Cathedral it is the religious and architectural symbol of the city; its grandeur, with its wonderful spiers visible even hundreds of kilometers away, make it one of the most visited places, not only of the city, but of the entire nation. The nearest metro stations are the station Nevskij prospekt; pl. Vosstanja Majakovskaja; pl. Alexandra Nevskogo.
The Cathedral has a magnificent interior, which can be accessed through three bronze portals, symbols of faith, hope and charity; in our opinion, it is very suggestive. Not to be missed, especially outside, the 4 statues of the Apostles Peter and Paul and the patrons Rupert and Virgil.
From the 1920, during the opening of the Salzburg Festival, the Duomo is the background to the representation of the drama “Everyman”; while, during the Christmas period, it becomes an evocative stage for Advent songs.
The Cathedral is located at Domplatz. It is open every day, from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00 and Sundays and holidays, from 13:00 to 17:00. In the summer, the closing time is postponed until 19:00. FREE access to the Dom. The visits are suspended during Mass celebrations. During the months of July and August, at the cost of 3.00€, you can visit the Excavations of the cathedral medieval, with the remains of Roman buildings, from 09:00 to 17:00.
The area is really beautiful. Cathedral Square e Residenzplatz, during Christmas, they acquire charm and charm with the many stalls. The historical center, patronymic of the humanity, offers really enchanting and suggestive glimpses, in any period of the year. An impressive series of museums and attractions are concentrated in the Residenzplatz, starting from Museum of Salzburg – housed in the beautifully restored New Residence.
Do not miss the extraordinary exhibitions in the art gallery. In this museum you will get to know the history, culture and traditions of the whole of Salzburg. In the 2009 it received the coveted Museum of the Year award: not to be missed during your Salzburg Weekend.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, including holidays, from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry within 30 minutes from closing. Closed every Monday, and 1/11, 25/12 days. The full fare ticket costs 8.50€; reduced for children, 3.00€. FREE with the Salzburg Card.
Franziskanekirche and St.Peter Erzabei which stands almost behind, deserve the right attention during your Salzburg Weekend. It is above all the beautiful Benedictine abbey of St. Peter that we advise you to turn your attention. Where this is not possible, you could do it on the last day of the Salzburg Weekend. The church of Romanesque origin overlooks a beautiful courtyard. Do not miss the visit of the Catacombs of early Christian origin. They arise in a series of rooms dug into the Mönchsberg rock face, connected by long corridors. Open all year, from May to September, every day 10-12.30 and 13-18 and from October to April, every day 10-12.30 and 13-17. Admission: €2.00 per adult and €1.00 per child.
Mozartplatz is a large and beautiful square, with the statue of the composer in the center. Particularly beautiful during Christmas, it is always crowded, a true meeting place in the city. From here, in a few hundred meters, you reach the Mozart’s Birthplace, now used as a real museum. Mozart was born on 27 January 1756. Family apartment with scores, portraits, documents and instruments that belonged to the great composer.
Open every day, from 09:00 to 17:30. In August, postponed closing at 18:30. The full-fare ticket costs 11.00€, reduced for children, 3.50€. FREE with Salzburg Card.
For dinner on your first day of the Weekend in Salzburg, we recommend the typical Gasthaus Zwettlers restaurant, in the city center, a few steps from Mozart; here, You can enjoy excellent beers and local dishes. Ordering a typical one Wiener schwein(Viennese schnitzel) and a mug of beer, more or less you will spend 20€ each.
2nd DAY WEEKEND IN SALZBURG
This morning we hope you have had a hearty breakfast, because there will be a lot ‘to do, including castles and attractions around the city. For the second day of the Weekend in Salzburg, we recommend a ride with the Funicular of the Fortress, from Festungsgasse.
The Funicular, called FestungsBahn it is the oldest (1892) of the whole country; you can reach in a few minutes one of the most romantic and scenic places in the city, up to the beautiful. It is the largest entirely preserved fortress in Central Europe, dating back to the 11th century. Tickets cost €12.20 per adult and €7.00 reduced. Includes entrance to the fortress complex, audio-tour in eleven languages (salt warehouse, torture chamber, viewpoint, Salzburg bull), fortress museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, marionette museum, Almpassage.
In this fantastic place, in summer, great and evocative concerts are hosted. Really unmissable during your weekend in Salzburg. Open every day, with the following times
January-April and October-December, from 09:30 to 17:00; from May to September, from 09:00 to 19:00. During Easter and Advent weekends, from 9.30 to 18:00. FREE access with Salzburg Card.
Coming back down with the funicular, with a short walk of about 10 minutes, you reach Alter Markt, absolutely unmissable place for anyone, during a Salzburg Weekend. Before reaching the destination, you pass through Petersfriedhof, one of the oldest cemeteries (!) In the city. Nothing macabre. With its gothic and particularly suggestive atmosphere, it is worth visiting. Even for a run away. Free entry.
In the center, you will find a nice little square called Alter Market, where very special stalls are set up every day; you will find both typical products, sweet or savory, as well as vintage clothing and gift items. Although it is quite touristic as a market, it is a place you can not miss during your visit to Salzburg; a lively and full of life.
The beautiful square is surrounded by a row of medieval style houses belonging to the Salzburger Borghesia; in the center, Florianibrunnen, a beautiful fountain with the statue of St. Florian. Mozart enthusiasts will be able to make a trip to the N.9 where the celebrity is located Cafe Tomaselli which had Mozart as one of its guests. Pretty high prices.
Next point not to be missed on the second day of the Salzburg Weekend, is the magnificent Mirabell Palace, which we recommend to reach on foot. Do it, after a break in one of the typical Austrian cafés, where excellent drinks and specialties of sweets and strudels are served. Alternatively, in the center, you can enjoy the fleischknodel(meatballs) or the bierfleisch (beef stew with beer); you will find many restaurants that offer them at low prices and a quality almost similar everywhere.
Passing through Mozartplatz, if the time is right, you can listen to the sound of the chimes, the carillon of the bell tower. Play at 07:00, 11:00 and 18:00.
Michaelstor, city gate, and the bridge Mozarsteg, pedestrian walkway over the river, are the next steps. From the bridge, evocative views of the city. Do not miss a walk along the Getreidegasse (photo above), the Judengasse or Linzer Gasse, with the characteristic signs; these streets are to live all day long, teeming with locals and tourists.
Mirabell Palace is a splendid Baroque style building, originally located outside the city walls; the then Lord of Salzburg, Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, had this palace built to house his lover, Salome Alt, from whom he even had 15 sons.
In 1612, the prelate was forced to abdicate and was locked up in the same building, while his cousin, Archbishop Markus Sittikus von Hohenems reigned over the city of Salzburg.
It was the latter to change the name of the building, until that time Palazzo Altenau, in Palazzo Mirabell.
Mirabell Castle was much loved by bishops and prelates residing in Salzburg. In the 1818, a fire destroyed a large part of the building; Fortunately, saving the marble hall and the monumental staircase of Lukas von Hilldebrandt, which we certainly recommend a thorough visit.
Mirabell Castle has witnessed illustrious births and deaths as well as major events. In fact, precisely here, WA Mozart performed together with his father and his sister.
Today the Mirabell palace houses the offices of the Mayor of Salzburg, as well as the party hall, used for the celebration of civil marriages. The Palace observes the following times:
- Marmorsaal: Lun, Mer and Giov: 8-16; Mar and Ven: 13-16.
- Staircase: 8-18 every day. Garden: every day from 6 until sunset.
- Heckentheater: closing during the winter months.
Kanoa remembers that entry to the castle is free.
When returning, we advise you to bring in the Getreidegasse, one of the main arteries of Salzburg. Before ending the day, there is nothing better than taking a boat ride on the river Salzach. A boat trip will offer you the opportunity to have a truly unique and exciting Salzburg perspective; try, even, to make us a jump in the evening.
From the 01 March to the 31 October, you can sail the waters on board the Amadeus Salzburg; It is a modern ship, in which there is room for 80 people, with large glass windows, in order to have an excellent panoramic view of the city. The boat leaves at the following times:
March/April: 13 (Sat and Sun only), 15, 16.
May: 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17.
June: 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18.
July: 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
August: 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
September: 12, 13, 15, 16, 17.
October: 13 (Sat and Sun only), 15, 16.
Before returning to the room, Kanoa recommends the Jhoanneskeller; a typical trattoria that offers abundant portions and affordable prices. You can add this place on foot, passing through the famous Residenzplatz.
3rd DAY WEEKEND IN SALZBURG
Last day of the Weekend in Salzburg. Goodbyes are never too simple (!). Hellbrunn with the Castle and its beautiful water features are a must during the Salzburg Weekend. You can reach it by bus 25, getting off at the bus stop Schloss Hellbrunn. As for the Dom, also this summer residence of the then archbishop-prince Marcus Sitticus, it was built by the Italian Santino Solari.
The castle of Hellbrunn it is located at the foot of the mountain of the same name, at the gates of the city. This palace is considered one of the architectures renaissance most beautiful North of the Alps, famous for the Wasserspiele (water games). Thanks to a natural confluence from the nearby mountains, water is used to create fun water games, which between a visit and the other of the castle, will cheer up your trip.
Do not miss the visit of the stone theater, wanted by Sitticus; it is the largest open-air tat in Europe. Equally unmissable is the hydraulic theater (1749-52); about two hundred characters move thanks to the power of the water, to the sound of an organ, in a three-story baroque palace.
Thanks to Hellbrunn and his castle you can relive, even for a moment, the atmosphere of the past; one of the caves that you can admire during the visit of the castle, is the Cave of Neptune, covered with gravel and shells, very special.
The ticket costs 15.00€ per adult and 7.50€ reduced for children. FREE with the Salzburg Card. Open on the following dates:
From 29 March to April, 09:00-16:30.
May, June, September, 09:00-17:30.
July, August, 09:00-18:00.
October – 04 November, 09:00-16:30.
To close, the ideal could be a ride with the Untersberg cable car. You climb to over 1850 meters in height to enjoy an absolutely unique and incomparable view. The only flaw, the 25.00€ ticket for the ascent and descent. If you have the Salzburg Card, though, it’s FREE!