The 4 Gems of Salzburg: A city of Medieval museums and scenic sights
Patches of snow glisten on the twin domes of Salzburg Cathedral, a shadow gradually covers the city cast by the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the chatter of crowds and rhythms of carols echo through the chilly winter air from the central squares of the Medieval city of Salzburg.
The fourth-largest city in Austria is not on the scale of most major cities in Europe, but its small size makes the picturesque centre one of the easiest to explore on foot and a unique step back through history. The UESCO-listed Baroque altstadt has witnessed religious conflicts, annexations, development as capital of one of the Austro-Hungarian territories, and the emergence of a whole new music scene. This vast and illustrious history makes the city of Salzburg the perfect destination to visit both during the Advent season and at any other time of the year.
There is a surprisingly large number of sights to see when visiting Salzburg, but 2 full days is the ideal length of time needed to do the city justice. Here, the top attractions to visit in Salzburg.
DomQuartier
The DomQuartier is the heart of religion in the historic city of Salzburg, symbolising the city’s role in the counter-reformation movement in the 17th century. At a time when neighbouring cities and states were embracing Protestantism, Salzburg was building more churches and cathedrals to honour its Catholic roots.
The DomQuartier includes the Cathedral, the residenz (once the home of the prince-archbishops, and the Benedictine St. Peter’s Abbey. Much of the Baroque architecture in this grand building complex can be attributed to Prince-Archbishops Wolf Dietrich and Guidobald Graf von Thun. The grand ambitions that the two most powerful people in Salzburg had are visible throughout the DomQuartier museums.
As you walk through the state rooms of the Alte Residenz you will see the impressive long gallery walkway with some of Europe’s rarest paintings of past Prince-archbishops and secular rulers, religious artefacts and priceless jewels. You will see sweeping views of Salzburg from the terrace above the cathedral arches, a view from high above the cathedral organ, and the rooms where the former tenants of the residence once spent their time. Huge crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings, carvings line the walls, and one-of-a-kind furnishings draw your eyes.
There is nowhere quite like Salzburg’s DomQuartier, and nowhere offers a more detailed journey through the city’s religious history than here.
Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Funicular
You can’t miss the Hohensalzburg Fortress, its shadow is cast over the altstadt and it dominates the skyline. The 11th century fortress, built atop the Festungsberg, was designed by Archbishop Gebhard in 1077, modified by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach in 1500, and remains the best preserved castle in Central Europe. The fortress has never been captured by invading troops — few castles can say this.
Like much of Salzburg, just walking through the grounds of the Hohensalzburg is like stepping back in history, but to get there you can walk along a steep trail or go via the funicular — also one of the oldest in Europe — and included in the Salzburg Card.
There are a number of museums inside the fortress, along with a small chapel that would have been used by the garrisoned troops who were based in the castle for hundreds of years. The Fortress Museum offers visitors a glimpse of courtly life in Salzburg, the Museum of the Rainer Regiment likewise exhibits weapons and armour used by Austrian troops throughout history — housed in the former base of the k. u. k. Infanterieregiment ‘Erzherzog Rainer’ №59 house batallion — and the Princes’ Chambers include some of the most impressive artefacts in the fortress. The furnishings, original and unchanged since 1502, include the Golden Chamber with its tiled stove, and the Golden Hall, home to the simulation of a night sky, with gold stars on an azure background.
The views from the fortress walls over Salzburg, the Cathedral, surrounding snow-capped mountains and endless rivers and forests are simply unforgettable.
Getreidegasse
The bustling centre of Salzburg, the Getreidegasse (the name originally coming from the German word Trav-Gasse, meaning trot alley), is what attracts so many visitors to this historic city. Shops belonging to large international brands stand beside traditional local chocolatiers, bakeries, antique shops and historic restaurants. Ornate wrought iron signs protrude from above the doorways, many of the signs still made in the original metalsmiths in the Wieber shop.
The Getreidegasse is famous for its through-houses, a unique example of how the city’s history links to Harry Potter. History suggests that the walkways that connect two streets directly through the buildings emerged when local architects had to figure out how to connect the tightly-packed Getreidegasse to the Mönchsberg. The walls of St. Peter’s defined the limits of the city, with the Getreidegasse inside, and the newer street of Mönchsberg outside. To connect these two streets would be impossible with a new road, so tunnel-like features were built through the buildings.
Wrought iron doorways, Untersberg marble, vaulted roofs, and ornate fittings dominate the Getreidegasse, and even if you decide not to buy anything from the countless shops, you should just savour the historic atmosphere.
St. Peter’s Monastery Cemetery and Catacombs
St. Peter’s Monastery has been the heart of Salzburg life since the 7th century, and its cemetery is one of the most important sights in the city. The monastic order, the oldest Germanic brotherhood still in existence, was started by Frankish missionary Rupert. After several fires, the monastery now exhibits architectural styles from the Renaissance, Rococo and Romanesque eras.
A walk through the monastery’s own cemetery is a unique experience and an escape from the tourist crowds. Not only was the cemetery featured in the Sound of Music, when the Trapp family escaped through St. Peter’s Cemetery from the National Socialists, it houses ornate and historic tombstones and graves.
At the northern end of the cemetery are the catacombs carved into the Mönchsberg. Used as a refuge for monks and a burial place, the entrance to these early Christian catacombs are located at the site of the tombs of Mozart’s sister and Haydn. Up 48 stone steps you will find the Getrauden Chapel, where early monks used to pray to a carved stone cross, and up another 36 steps you will find the Maximus Chapel.
Where to Stay — Hotel & Villa Auersperg
The Hotel & Villa Auersperg is one of the finest heritage hotels in Salzburg, located just a short walk from the historic centre of the city and offering rooms that evoke a sense of the history that is present throughout the property. The hotel is divided between the main building, where a large organic buffet selection is available for breakfast, the welcoming A*Bar is open until 10pm serving beers, spirits and soft drinks, home-made sweets and small dishes, and access is available to the enclosed garden, complete with a calming fountain, manicured plants and a stone walkway, and a second building next door with its own entrance.
Each suite or room in the hotel features a large and comfortable bed, with memory foam mattress and a selection of pillows, a Nespresso coffee machine with capsules, a welcome jar of local biscuits, a radio and CD collection, small library of books, a DVD player, satellite television, and a powerful rain shower with fragrant designer shampoo and shower gel.
There is a spa on the top floor of the main building fully equipped with a sauna and steam room. The views from the rooftop across Salzburg are not bad either! Yoga classes are available on Tuesday and Wednesday in the spa room.
Prices start from €145,00 for a MINI room, with breakfast included, and suites start at €240,00 per night.
Find out more
To find out more about visiting Salzburg, visit the Tourismus Salzburg website and find out about the benefits of visiting the city with a Salzburg Card. The card offers visitors free public transport, a round trip on the funicular railway, free access to most museums in Salzburg, and discounts in many shops and restaurants.
