Salzburg is the capital city of the province of Salzburg in Austria. The city has an approximate population of 150,000 and is located along the Salzach River at the northern boundary of the Alps. The most prominent feature of its skyline is a fort or Festung located up on a hill. This iconic building overlooks the city and dates back to 1077! Salzburg is very popular with tourists year round owing to its beautiful old town or Altstadt, great café culture, and vibrant music and arts scene.
Salzburg’s long history is reflected in its architecture. Modern buildings are interspersed with beautiful examples of Gothic and Romanesque architecture from centuries past. There is much to explore among the meandering cobblestoned streets, the most famous of which is the Getreidegasse. This long street winds its way through most of the old town district and includes the birthplace of its most famous citizen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Mozart was born at Getreidegasse number 9 in 1756. A child genius and musical prodigy, Mozart began composing by the age of five. As a child, he toured throughout central Europe with his father and older sister, also musicians. He mostly played the piano in the salons of the upper classes for a fee. By the time of his death at age 35, Mozart had produced over 600 works. His influence can be felt today in the numerous gift shops, restaurants and even the famous Mozart Kugel chocolate featured below.
Another claim to fame for Salzburg is as the home of the filming of the movie The Sound of Music. People from throughout the world who love this iconic film come to Salzburg to take part in one of the many tours that visit the sites where this film was shot. Music is still central to Austrian culture today. The best time to catch live classical music performances in Salzburg is during the Festspiele that takes place every summer at various venues throughout the downtown core. For the official German language website click here.
