Salzburg is a city where history and architecture intertwine (Photos: Tourismus Salzburg)
In the year 696, Bishop and monk Saint Rupert came upon the remnants of Juvavum, a Roman municipium founded in 45 AD that had gradually fallen into ruin by the 7th century. Moved by its decay, he established a church, monastery and school, laying the foundation for its revival.
One might wonder what and where this place is? This is Salzburg, surrounded by the eastern Alps in Austria and renowned for its medieval architecture, reflecting its rich history as the city embraces modernity.
Meaning ‘Salt Castle’, a name derived from the salt-laden barges that once navigated the Salzach River, Salzburg is a city where history and architecture intertwine.
The grandeur of Baroque architecture, a style that flourished in the 17th and 18th century, is evident throughout the city. Known for its rich colours, dramatic curves and elaborate ornamentation, the baroque design was meant to evoke power and opulence, Salzburg embodies this spirit. From museums and palaces to houses, gardens, and fountains, the city’s landscape is a masterpiece in itself.
But besides its rich architecture, where an ancient style of architecture is reflected in every nook and corner of the city, it is also a city of music, where life and sounds of prolific composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart still echo in the north-central region of Austria.
Deeply connected to Mozart’s legacy, this UNESCO World Heritage city also became the stunning backdrop for the 1965 classic The Sound of Music. Its timeless song My Favourite Things remains beloved, while the film itself enjoyed an extraordinary theatrical run, lasting over four years in some locations.
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The heart of the sound of music
With its narrow lanes, grand squares, and rich Mozartian legacy, Salzburg became the breathtaking backdrop for the film.
But did you know that the Von Trapp family, much like the one in the film, was real? Yes, during the 1930s and 1940s, in the heart of Salzburg, lived a family led by Georg von Trapp, a former Austro-Hungarian Navy captain. With their captivating voices and remarkable talent, they enchanted audiences across Europe and North America.
However as Nazism tightened its grip under the rule of Adolf Hitler, Von Trapps made a bold decision. They fled Austria and sought refuge in the United States. They eventually settled in Vermont, where they continued to perform until 1957 when they disbanded as a singing group.
Today, their legacy lives in Trapp Family Lodge, a stunning retreat in Vermont featuring a 96-room main lodge, villas and guesthouses, where history and hospitality intertwine.
Even though the Von Trapp family left their beloved Austria during turbulent times, their legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of Salzburg. Their presence still lingers in Villa Trapp, their former home in Salzburg’s Aigen district, where they settled in 1924 following the passing of Georg von Trapp’s first wife.
Today, this historic villa has been transformed into a charming private hotel, offering guests a glimpse into the family’s true story. Each day at noon, guided tours provide an intimate look at their real-life journey, offering fresh perspectives on both their history and the beloved The Sound of Music.
However, the impact of the film has not been restricted to family solely, it continues to be felt in many of the city’s historical places today.
For instance, in the southern district of the city, the picturesque Leopoldskron Palace, or Schloss Leopoldskron, served as a key filming location for the film. Its stunning lakeside terrace and gardens became the iconic backdrop for exterior scenes set at the Von Trapp family home.
Nestled beside Leopoldskron Pond, this magnificent palace was built in 1736 by Prince-Archbishop Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian as a private family estate. Designed in the Rococo style of architecture, renowned for its intricate ornamentation and lavish opulence, the palace became a hub for high-profile international gatherings in the arts and cultural scene.
Intriguingly, legend has it that the chapel holds the heart of Prince-Archbishop Firmian himself. Yet beyond its rich history, the palace is equally celebrated for its breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and its guided tours, offering visitors a deeper connection to the world of The Sound of Music.
The palace’s impact was so profound that the famous scene where the Von Trapp children fall out of the boat was filmed in Leopoldskron Lake, located within the palace grounds!
Not far from Schloss Leopoldskron lies the 400-year-old Hellbrunn Palace, commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus von Hohenems as a lavish summer residence. Renowned for its trick fountains and enchanting gardens, Hellbrunn is also home to the iconic Gazebo, where some of The Sound of Music’s most memorable scenes were filmed. The romantic duet Sixteen Going on Seventeen between Liesl and Rolf was set here, as was a touching moment between Maria and Georg, forever cementing the palace’s connection to the beloved film.
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A musical city
The musical legacy of Salzburg extends far beyond The Sound of Music. Take a stroll through Salzburg’s bustling Old Town, and one particular house, No. 9 on Getreidegasse, is sure to catch the eye.
This historic building is none other than the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most prolific and influential composers in history. With over 800 compositions spanning symphonies, operas, and chamber music, Mozart played a pivotal role in shaping Western classical music, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
The house no. 9, where Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, now stands as a museum, honouring a musician who, despite his brief life, left an enduring legacy in Salzburg and beyond.
While visiting Mozart’s house in the Getreidegasse area, known for its charming doorways and windows that gradually shrink from the first floor upward, you step into a museum that meticulously recreates the original rooms and middle-class apartments of Mozart’s time, offering an authentic glimpse into his world.
Spanning three floors, the exhibition immerses visitors in Mozart’s journey, exploring various facets of his life, his childhood, family, and deep passion for opera. Original certificates, letters, and portraits created during his lifetime transport visitors to the classical era, allowing them to experience the brilliance of the musical genius who composed with effortless mastery.
Yet beyond its celebration of Mozart’s achievements, the museum carries a poignant appeal. It also delves into the gruelling years of travel and his untimely death, a subject that continues to spark debate among scholars. In doing so, it presents Mozart as more than just a legendary composer, it reveals the man behind the music, offering a profound perspective on the figure who shaped Western classical music as we know it today.
Hence, the legacies of both Mozart and The Sound of Music truly uphold Salzburg’s well-deserved title as the ‘City of Music’. Living up to this reputation, the city hosts the Salzburg Festival every summer, a grand celebration of the arts featuring opera, theater, and concerts over an immersive five to six weeks.
Founded over 100 years ago by three Austrian visionaries, Max Reinhardt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and Richard Strauss, Salzburg Festival continues to be a prestigious platform for the arts. Held annually in July and August, it showcases performances by renowned singers, world-class orchestras, acclaimed actors, and virtuoso instrumentalists, celebrating Salzburg’s rich cultural heritage.
This year from July 18 to August 31, the Salzburg Festival will once again transform the city into a grand stage for the arts. Among its many highlights is a special concert program honouring the 100th birthday of French composer and writer Pierre Boulez, a visionary of post-war contemporary classical music, under the series À Pierre.
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Salzburg’s Baroque Architecture
However, music and films, Salzburg reveals another dimension, its rich baroque architectural heritage, which coexists seamlessly within the city even today.
Originating in Italy, Baroque architecture is renowned for its drama, grandeur, and flowing curves, which gained popularity across Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. This distinctive style is beautifully reflected in Salzburg’s churches, houses, gardens, and fountains.
Mirabell Palace, built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau for his mistress Salome Alt, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. Its highlight, the Marble Hall, is famed for its marble pillars, opulent stucco, and exquisite ceiling frescoes. Today, the Marble Hall is regarded as one of the world’s finest wedding venues, also hosting prestigious conferences and award ceremonies.
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Additionally, Salzburg Cathedral, a striking example of Baroque architecture, is built from Unterberg marble and adorned with four statues, two coats of arms and three bronze doors. Though damaged during World War II, it retained its grandeur and now serves as a venue for the Salzburg Festival’s Jedermann and the Christmas Market.
The Cathedral also serves as a powerful reminder of how Salzburg seamlessly blends history, culture, and artistic excellence. The city remains a timeless testament to the harmony between past and present, where every corner tells a story and every melody still lingers in the air.
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