Culture of Salzburg. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

» The Hohensalzburg Castle is a medieval fortress located on a high mountain. It was built in 1077.
»  Originally, the castle belonged to archbishop Gebhardt I. The foundation is all that remains of that building. The castle has been rebuilt and strengthened and finally become a mighty fortress.
»  In 1500, the world’s first funicular was constructed. They delivered different goods to the fortress.
»  Over the years of its existence, the fortress had been besieged once for 61 days during the uprising in 1525. The big fortress has never been looted or destroyed even during the bombing in 1944.
»  In the 19th and 20th centuries, there were barracks, a jail, and warehouses in the castle.
»  Nowadays, the fortress is one of the most popular tourist sites in Salzburg. The fortress is linked with the city center by a cable railway.
»  Some of the most interesting museum sites are Princely Chambers with a medieval interior, the Fortress Museum that houses the big collection of weapons of different ages, the death mask of Field Marshal Radetskiy, the Museum of Puppets, and the Archduke Rainer Regiment Museum.
»  On Sundays, the wind orchestra performs and festive parades are held in the fortress. Fanfares are heard throughout the district.

» Salzburg Cathedral was built by archbishop Vergilius of Salzburg at the site of the first Christian church in 774.
»  For many centuries, the cathedral had been destroyed by fire many times: in 1167, 1312, 1598, and 1859. It was last destroyed during the bombing in 1944.
»  The cathedral was restored in 1959. On the gate, there is a plate with three dates of cathedral sanctification: 774, 1628, and 1959.
»  In the cathedral, there are 11 altars and 5 organs. 10 000 people can attend services at the same time. The bells in the bell tower were cast in the 16th-17th centuries. The portal is decorated with statues of Vergilius and Rupert, bishops who lived here and were patrons of Salzburg in the 8th century.
»  In 1756, Wolfgang Mozart was baptized in a medieval font cast in 1321. When Mozart grew up, he worked here as an organist.
»  There is also the shrine of archbishops of Salzburg.

» Hellbrunn Palace was built upon the order of Prince-Archbishop Markus von Hohenems in 1615. Originally, it was a summer residence. The prince had lived in Italy and loved Italian architecture since childhood. So, he invited Italian architects to build the residence.
»  Besides the castle, the Monatsschlössl Hunting House, the stone outdoor theatre carved in a rock cleft, and the Mechanical Theatre, where 265 statues of people of different professions are set in motion by the water, were built.
»  There is also a park with ponds, fountains, statues, and figurines of animals. Its total area is 60 hectares. Water entertainments are available due to the water of natural streams running down from the mountain. There are no such constructions in the world.
»  The palace and the park has survived to this day. Here, festivals, celebrations, international conferences, and seminars are held.
»  In 1961, a zoo was opened in the palace. It is very popular with tourists.

» Mirabell Palace is the most admirable place in Salzburg. It was built in 1606.
»  One legend says that the palace was given to Salome Alt from Archbishop Wolf Raitenau. They could not marry but this did not prevent them from having 15 children.
»  The palace was rebuilt many times. After the fire in 1818, only the Marble Hall and the marble staircase have been preserved. The palace has become more modest.
»  The main attraction of the Mirabell Palace is its gardens that are the next best thing to the Gardens of Versailles. In the center of the park, there is a fountain surrounded by sculptures of Ancient Greek gods. These statues have been preserved since 1690.
»  In the park, there is also the Garden of Dwarfs where you can see 28 small funny sculptures of these citizens.
»  The most beautiful place in the palace is the Marble Hall. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed here once.
»  Nowadays, wedding ceremonies are held here. It is the best wedding hall in Austria. The Mirabell Palace and Park are under the protection of UNESCO.

» St Peter's Abbey was founded in 690 at the foot of the Mönchsberg. Hermits had lived in caves of the mountain before. These caves still exist today.
»  St. Rupert found a friary here. The relics of St. Rupert were buried under the altar in the monastery.
»  There had been an archbishops’ residence since 793 until 1110.
»  In 1622, the Catholic University was opened in the abbey. Nowadays, it is the University of Salzburg. In the abbey, there is the oldest library in Austria. It houses 100 000 books about art, the history of the abbey, Salzburg, and its surroundings. You need to obtain a special permit to enter the library.
»  Behind the monastery, there is an old cemetery. On gravestones, you can see a special date, 803. The abbey still sells burial sites to rich citizens.
»  The abbey owns a big land plot and a bakery where rye bread is baked.
»  Although it is still a working man’s monastery, some rooms are open for tourists.