As in the history textbook on the Middle Ages: against the background of high mountains, a proud feudal castle rises on a rock , and at its foot lies a feudal city. Meet this Salzburg. The sights of this city are inextricably linked with its ancient history, telling about them is the same as setting out the difficult ups and downs of the city’s life for centuries.
Initially, Salzburg emerged as a fortress on a rock to repel the raids of the Bavarian warlike neighbors. Later, at the foot of the cliff, the city of the same name grew. Secular and spiritual authorities of the city were represented in one person - the person of the Archbishop of Salzburg. Continuously replacing each other, these "poor Christ" owned all the salt mines in the surrounding lands, and in addition, they were rich owners of land. The most illustrious lord to whom Salzburg owes his present appearance was Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Rathenau. He owes the merit of a complete restructuring of the city. Baroque style, fashionable at that time , became the dominant feature of the city.
The vow of celibacy of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich did not burden: he had a mistress, Salome Alt, who gave birth to His Grace 15 children. For them, the archbishop built the magnificent Mirabell Palace, which, together with its gardens, adequately adorned Salzburg. The sights of this palace complex are terraces, sculptures and a marble hall with an amazing interior, which today plays the role of the Palace of Special Events. And the Mirabell Palace itself serves as the residence of the mayor of Salzburg.
This is not the only palace Salzburg is famous for: the sights of the Helbrunn Palace, built 8 km from the city for hunting fun and just the summer fun of Archbishop Markus Sittikus, include palace gardens, luxurious 18th-century interiors and "fun" fountains. These fountains often reveal themselves at the most unexpected moment!
A visit to this city is unthinkable without climbing to Hohensalzburg Castle, the primary core of the fortified city of Salzburg. The sights of this fortress are difficult to describe in words. You need to climb there (and who cares about 10 Euros - take the cable car). Hohensalzburg (literal translation - higher Salzburg) is the largest fully preserved castle palace in Europe. It was built in the XI century. as a place to hide the archbishop from the wrath of the townspeople. Its present appearance is the result of numerous reconstructions in which the styles and functions of the fortress were replaced. In the end, the archbishop's shelter has grown to the size of a small village with dozens of buildings. Today you can freely walk around the Hohensalzburg and visit the museum.
But the sights of Salzburg are not limited only to the palaces and gardens of the archbishop. Salzburg is Mozart’s hometown, and here, like in no other city in the world, the music of this ingenious composer often sounds. The house where the composer was born in 1756 has also survived. Now in this house on Getreidegasse street there is a museum. Yes, and this street itself is a kind of attraction: all the houses along it are marked with signs of guilds of masters. Even modern brands generously represented on this shopping street stylize their signboards with guild signs. The city has many beautiful cathedrals: the Cathedral, built on a copy of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the university church, the Franciscan monastery.
Holidays in Salzburg are good at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. Shaken by the December snow, the baroque Salzburg in this white lace is simply charming. And the famous Viennese coffee with gingerbread and local chocolate - which are also the sights of Salzburg - are most delicious after a fascinating and long walk in the cold. Do not forget to bring Mozart sweets and Austrian wines to the memory of Salzburg .