View from the terrace at lunch
While enjoying the River cruise along the Danube, one of the
day excursions offered was a ‘Sound of Music’ inspired visit to Salzburg. Being a fan of the wonderful movie, I had
to visit some of the landmarks.
But Salzburg was much more that just a series of filming
locations, it was a wonderful, pretty Austrian town surrounded by amazing
countryside.
Salzburg’s most famous son is Mozart and enjoys being known for his birthplace in 1756 at No. 9 Getreidegasse in the town centre. Today,
Mozart’s Birthplace is one of the most visited museums in Austria and is an
absolute highlight for fans, he also lends his name to any
number of souvenirs from chocolates, ice creams to rubber ducks and you will
bump into his likeness at every turn.
Hohensalzburg Fortress is enthroned on the Festungsberg, high
above the rooftops of the Baroque historical district. In the year 1077, archbishop Gebhard had the
fortress built and changed the Salzburg skyline forever. The largest fully preserved castle in Central
Europe, this emble mof Salzburg draws millions of tourists every year. I had lunch at the top over looking the town below
and the mountains in the distance. One
of the most beautiful locations I’ve had the pleasure of eating lunch and I
savoured every moment.
St.
Peter's Monastery & Cemetery & Catacombs just below the fortress are another
lovely place to visit. Since St. Peter’s was founded in the 7th century, the
church and abbey have been the spiritual heart of the city of Salzburg. Aside from its striking architecture and the
wonderful feeling of peace and calm, the cemetery and catacombs are also a
must-see for fans of “The Sound of Music”.
Also, fans of the The Sound of Music will recogise Residenzplatz square as another
highlight: During their carriage ride through the city, Maria and the children
sing as they pass the Residenz Fountain.
When I visited Salzburg there was a market that extended about 1 km
along the river with a varied assortment of things to buy, from local honey,
hand made jewellery and clothes, to
local beers. A lovely way to round off the day.
I could have definitely spent longer here and would recommend
a visit if you are in Austria.
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