Salzburg |
| Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00 |
 Salzburg, the city of Mozart and festivals opens up to visitors just like a stage would. The baroque old town with its towers and domes is surrounded by the green hills of Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg. High above the city is the fortress Hohensalzburg. Humboldt was supposed to have written that Salzburg is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. In the old town you will find a great number of historical buildings that are worth seeing. After walking past an old fountain, plazas and narrow alleys you will be enchanted by it all. If you come by car to Salzburg, then you should avoid the lack of parking that is a problem around the old town. The car is best parked in the area around Mirabell Palace on the other side of the river. From there you can also start off with the first highlight of your stay in Salzburg. Mirabell Palace is not only unique because of its splendor, but also because of its history. A handsome Archbishop built this palace in the 17th century for himself, his lover and his many children. Even the gardens of Mirabell Palace have remained almost unchanged during the last three hundred years and are proof of the riches and wealth. Every visitor has to marvel at them. Those that want to learn more about the times of luxury, opulence and grandeur should take a look around the Baroque Museum. Exhibits from the 17th century show the history of the origins of great works. Yes, and then as it has to happen during any stay in Salzburg, you are then suddenly standing in front of Mozart’s house, right near Mirabell Palace. This and the house where he was born in the old town are real pilgrimage sites, especially for tourists from overseas. This makes it a bit hard to move around sometimes, but visiting is worth it anyway. Those that still have not had enough should visit the Mozarteum, here a little show about the great composer is held and you can see his works played in a puppet theater. Those looking for some physical well being should go into one of the many taverns in the old town. Hearty home cooking or fine cuisine, everything is served here. Add to that a good Blaufränkisch, Veltliner or Zweigelt and already you’ll be ready for more action. An absolute must in Salzburg is of course the visit to the fortress. On foot or by cable car, it is easy to reach and it is about 328 feet high and towers over the city, offering a magnificent view. The fortress is one of the most powerful of the country and was earlier attacked. In the Fortress Museum, you can excellently learn about the harsh history. Even the royal accommodations, palace and chapel show the finest, playful Baroque in all its glory. If you year to see more of the wonderful area surrounding Salzburg because of the wonderful views, then you should grab yourself a rental car and get onto the A1. You will quickly reach the Mondsee or Wolfgangsee in the loveliness of the Salzkammergut. The crystal clear lakes invite you to take a deep breath of the air and relax, but if you want to you can also walk around, go mountain climbing, biking or even fishing. The majestic Dachstein massif, with an almost ten-thousander guarantees a relaxing stay. |
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