Sights in Salzburg City : Sightseeing in the Old Town

Salzburg's Cathedral

The original cathedral was built in 774 by St. Virgil (745-784). After the fire of 1598 reconstruction of the cathedral commenced in 1614 under Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus to plans by Santino Solari. Consecrated in 1628 by Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron. A wide range of exhibits on display at the Cathedral Museum. The famous Salzburg "Christkindlmarkt" (Christmas market) is held here each year before Christmas.

St. Peter's Abbey

Abbey and Benedictine monastery, founded around 700 by St. Rupert. Romanesque in substance, later redesigned in the Baroque style. St. Rupert's grave cut into the rock. Altar paintings by M.J. Schmidt, also called "Kremser Schmidt". St. Peter's Cemetery, final resting place of prominent personalities.Early Christian Catacombs. Benedictine Nonnberg convent founded by St. Rupert's niece, St. Erentrudis, around 700.

Salzburg Festival Halls

Main event location of Salzburg Festival. The so-called festival district is located at the foot of the Mönchsberg, right in the Old Town.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, considerably enlarged by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495-1519), largest, fully-preserved fortress in central Europe.

Getreidegasse Salzburg

The charm of the Getreidegasse is not only generated by the high, narrow houses tightly nestled together, the enticing shops and the wrought iron guild signs, but also to the romantic passageways and courtyards.

Mozart Square Salzburg

The square is dominated by the statue of Mozart by Ludwig Schwanthaler, ceremoniously unveiled on September 5, 1842 in the presence of Mozart's sons. Mozart's widow, Constanze von Nissen, did not live to see the unveiling. She died on March 6th of the same year in the house at Mozartplatz 8. A plaque was placed on the house in her memory.

Mozart's Birthplace

In Getreidegasse no. 9, is where the Leopold Mozart family lived from 1747 to 1773. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here on January 27, 1756. Today the rooms once occupied by the Mozart family house a museum.

Mozart's Residence

The Mozart family lived in Mozart's Residence, Makartplatz 8, from 1773 to 1787. Most of the building was destroyed by a bomb in 1944, only preserving the portal entrance and the "Dancing Master's Hall".

Prince Archbishops Residenz

The medieval bishops' residence was given today's magnificent early Baroque appearance at the end of the 16th century. Open to the public: the State Rooms as well as the Residenz Gallery.

Hellbrunn - Palace and Trick Fountains

Hellbrunn Palace, built from 1612-1615, with its spacious park, trick fountains and the mechanical theater, is one of the most beautiful examples of manneristic architecture north of the Alps and unique throughout Europe.

Mirabell Palace

Originally called "Altenau", Mirabell Palace was commissioned to be built by Wolf Dietrich for Salome Alt in 1606. The "angel staircase" by Raphael Donner that leads to Europe's "most beautiful wedding hall" is of special interest. The Mirabell Gardens hold groups of statues based on figures from Greek mythology. Also "Dwarf Garden", Baroque Museum, Hedge Theater. The gardens adjoin the Kongresshaus (Congress Center) and the Kurhaus (Paracelsus Health Spa).

St. Sebastian Cemetry

St. Sebastian Cemetry is located beside St. Sebastian Church. Andreas Bertoleto designed the cemetery around1600 in the style of an Italian "campo santo". Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich, Mozart`s wife, Constanze, his father, Leopold, and Paracelsus the "father" of modern medicine, are all buried here.