How do you like that? Donate to the band, and a maiden gives you a shot of schnapps. One fun way to get a good dose of nature with a jolt of speed is on a Sommerrodlebahn. Posted on July 23, 2006 December 2, 2013. Inside Rick Steves Vienna, Salzburg & Tirol you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending two weeks or more exploring Vienna, Salzburg and Tirol Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites If no one cares enough to make the payment, you're gone. Rich guys' fine Renaissance-style tombs decorate the chapel walls. The town, which originated as a salt-mining center, is one of Europe's oldest, going back centuries before Christ. For dessert — after a visit to the strudel kiosk — enjoy the incomparable floodlit view of old Salzburg from the nearby Müllnersteg pedestrian bridge and a riverside stroll home. Thanks for joining us. Extending your trip? Home / Blog; Salzburg. Terms of Service | Privacy, Salzburg, Austria: Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mönchsberg, Salzburg, Austria: Music, Lakes and Mountains, Salzburg, Austria: Sampling Schnapps on Getreidegasse. The stream, divided into smaller canals, was channeled through town. While fires have been a recurrent problem, many houses go way back. The skulls resting on Bibles are those of the town's priests. While this particular tunnel dates only from 1719, Hallstatt's mine claims to be the oldest in the world. This collection of lovingly tended graves abuts the sheer rock face of the Mönchsberg (free, silence requested). ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Salzburg. ▲ DomQuartier Museums Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich's Residenz palace, cathedral viewpoint, and religious art. It's the easiest and best experience if you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android. A highlight is riding miner-style from one floor down to the next...praying for no splinters. Today, Salzburg's pride in Mozart shows itself best not in museums but in live concerts. It's Sunday morning. Do you have a favorite? He has a mysterious mansion at the edge of town, sponsors the local “Red Bull” soccer and hockey teams, owns several chic Salzburg eateries and cocktail bars, and employs 6,000 mostly good-looking people. And in Salzburg, there's no better place to experience that than here at the Augustiner Bräustübl. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. This is Sound of Music country. We too will be in Scandanavia (Oslo) (and London) soon- we fly out Thursday night. I hope you've enjoyed exploring this part of Austria — with the high culture and history of Salzburg, and the natural splendor of the Salzkammergut lake district. This cute little village was once the salt-mining namesake of a culture that spread from France to the Black Sea. In Rick Steves Pocket Munich & Salzburg you'll find only the best of those two cities — admittedly a tough call! Thanks to its charming Old Town, splendid Baroque churches, one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, and so many great places nearby, Salzburg feels designed to keep its visitors happy. ▲ Mönchsberg Walk "The hills are alive" stroll you can enjoy right in downtown Salzburg. Share hotel & restaurant reviews. Rick Steves' my way alpine Europe in 12 days. Rick Steves' guidebooks are the first I turn to when I get ready to plan a trip, and this one is really just excerpts (word for word) from the Germany and Austria ones, but since Munich, Fussen and Salzburg are my destinations for that area this book works perfectly. Lovable Hallstatt is a tiny town bullied onto a ledge between a mountain and a swan-ruled lake. ▲ St. Sebastian Cemetery Baroque cemetery with graves of Mozart's wife and father. Nannerl called this portrait the best ever done of her brother. The Sporer family has been distilling schnapps and selling it from this friendly hole in the wall for just over a hundred years. They're reminders of the 1800s, when the first Romantic Age poets and painters discovered this region. We're heading into the Mirabell Palace to hear a string quartet play in a splendid Baroque hall. Thanks to its formidable fortress and its knack for remaining neutral, the city managed to avoid the ravages of war until World War II. But his later residence, the Mozart Wohnhaus, across the river, offers a better exhibition on his life and times. It's a chilling, educational, important and memorable experience. The constantly flowing water flushed out the streets, provided fire protection, and powered factories. Thanks to its charming Old Town, splendid Baroque churches, one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, and so many great places nearby, Salzburg feels designed to keep its visitors happy. Smaller text Larger text. Rick: Obstler is apple and...? The banks of the Salzach River — ideal for strolling and biking — were once medieval tow paths. For centuries, Salzburg's leaders were both important church authorities and political rulers. Oh...that's good. Herr Sporer: Schnapps is distilled fruits. ▲ Panorama Museum Wrap-around painting offering vivid peek of the city as it appeared in 1829.. ▲ Mozart's Residence Restored house where the composer lived. Rent bills are sent out about every 10 years. In fact, because of the salt-mining importance here, an entire age — the Hallstatt Era, from about 800 B.C. Learn about Author Central. We have been traveling “Rick’s style” for 20+ years and love it. ▲▲ Sound of Music Tour Bus or bike through S.O.M. Lying on a busy trade route connecting northern Europe with the south, Salzburg was well aware of the exciting things going on in Italy. The tiny train station is across Lake Hallstatt from the postcard-pretty town by the same name: Hallstatt. You don't throw it down, you sip it. If you'd like to commune with nature in a uniquely Austrian way, Salzburg is the ideal jumping off point for spectacular countryside to the south. ▲▲ Hellbrunn Palace Lavish palace on the outskirts of town featuring gardens with trick fountains. Those Augustinians must have been the most popular monks in town for their rollicking beer garden. It's Austria's Salzkammergut lake district, where the "the hills are alive," and you're surrounded by the scenic wonder that has enthralled nature lovers from Emperor Franz Josef to Julie Andrews. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. Different strokes, I guess. Throughout the region, ski runs earn their keep in the summer as luge courses. Is that right? Salzburg's cathedral, constructed in the early 1600s, was one of the first grand Baroque buildings north of the Alps. With around eight million visitors prowling its cobbled lanes each year, Salzburg can feel pretty touristy. You'll still see the traditional Fuhr boats, designed to carry heavy loads in shallow water. — is named for this once-important spot. Herr Sporer: Apple and pear. Rick: But this is after breakfast and you're still quite busy. Getting a beer is fun in itself. Rick Steves' Europe. Rick Steves' Europe. Idyllic and majestic, but not rugged, it's a gentle land of lakes, forested mountains, and storybook villages rich in hiking and biking opportunities. The regulars here know that there are enough flavors of schnapps to keep them coming back again and again. The Catholic church overlooks the town from above. Its river is called the "Salzach" not because it's salty, but because of the precious cargo it once carried. Rick: OK. Waiters only bring beer; they don't bring food — instead, go up the stairs, survey the hallway of deli counters, grab a tray, and assemble your own meal (or, as long as you buy a drink, you can bring in a picnic — many do). Tucked away in the heart of the Old Town and abutting the rock wall of Mönchsberg is St. Peter's Cemetery. When it's cool outside, enjoy a historic indoor setting in any of several beer-sloshed and smoke-stained halls (one of which is still for smokers). The core of this book is five self-guided walks and tours that zero in on Munich's greatest sights and neighborhoods, plus two chapters on the best day trips (to Salzburg and to Neuschwanstein Castle). Rick- Glad to see that you are re-visiting some places that are among the favorites of my husband and myself- due to your TV show. Through the centuries, Hallstatt was busy with the salt trade. Though I don’t consider it my job to breathlessly promote every destination that comes down the pike…rather, I try to give hard opinions in the spirit of the king of hard travel opinions, Rick Steves. There's no audioguide, but everything's described in English. Herr Sporer: You sip it, yes. Austria — with its Germanic passion for quality — is enthusiastic about organically grown fruits and vegetables. The palace's bubbly gardens, famously featured in The Sound of Music, are free and open until dusk. Are you an author? Rick Steves' Europe. Rick: And when is the normal when time you would drink schnapps in Austria? Choose from these three free options to listen to Rick Steves' Austria & Germany Audio Tours of Vienna, Salzburg, and Germany: Get the Audio Europe app! This one dates from 1597. St. Peter's Church Romanesque church with Rococo decor. (17:24). Allow about three hours total for the round-trip funicular ride, viewpoint visit, and 1.5-hour salt-mine tour. Its 500-year-old altars and frescoes feature Hallstatt's two favorite saints: St. Barbara (patron of miners) and St. Catherine (patron of foresters) — lots of wood was needed to fortify the many miles of tunnels and boil the brine to distil out that salt. Buy your token, choose a mug —two choices: big and HUGE, give it a rinse…and fill 'er up. They dissolved it into a brine, which flowed through miles of pipes — the oldest hewn out of logs — to Hallstatt and nearby towns where the brine was, and still is, cooked until only the salt remained. This giant Baroque church, where Mozart was baptized and later served as organist, boats exceptional stucco work, five organs, and lots of light (it doesn't have stained glass, and never did — just clear windows to let light power the message). The square was ringed by blacksmiths, bakers, and craftsmen. The surrounding Mirabell Gardens, laid out in 1730, are a favorite with locals and tourists alike. Austria Reviews. Some northern artists even Italianized their names in order to raise their rates. Does that sound reasonable as far as timing? Salt — so precious as a preservative in pre-refrigerator days — was a huge part of this region's economy all the way back to pre-historic times. (photo: Rick Steves) Those who climb (or ride) up to Salzburg's fortress are treated to … Prost! This time we're in the land of Mozart…it's Salzburg. Family of five (two young adults, one teen) Stuttgart and Munich advice. Herr Sporer: And it's very typical for this area. It has very nice views of Salzburg, the surrounding mountains, and the fortress (far in the distance). Even though Hallstatt's actual sights are subtle, wandering through town is a treat. Salzburg is forever smiling to the tunes of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Thanks to its charmingly preserved old town, splendid gardens, Baroque churches, and one of Europe's largest intact medieval fortresses, Salzburg feels made for tourism. This time we're in the land of Mozart…it's Salzburg. You don't go to Salzburg to avoid the tourists. Wolfgang Mozart spent much of his first 25 years in Salzburg — one of the greatest Baroque cities north of the Alps. They remembered us because of my husband's guide dog. Surveying the town, you can imagine Salzburg through the ages. These canals powered about 100 watermills in Salzburg, which were busily cranking as late as the 19th century. At the mine, visitors slip into overalls, meet their guide, and hike into the mountain. Herr Alfred Lenz makes the town's traditional boats from a 200-year-old design. His goal? Each summer it hosts its famous Salzburg Festival. The exhibits are aimed a bit more toward the Mozart connoisseur than those at Mozart's Birthplace, but the place comes with a good introductory video, is less crowded, and includes an informative audioguide. Salzburg and Surroundings - Rick Steves’ Europe In Salzburg, be sure to explore its delightful old town filled with Mozart history and relaxing beer gardens; then settle into a … Hi, I just returned from my second trip to Salzburg and Germany in 2 years, and I am in love with Salzburg, and staying in the Altstadt area. It's simple: push to go, pull to break...a treat for kids of all ages. And way back when Wolfgang was still practicing his scales, Salzburg's busy open-air produce market gave farmers the chance to sell directly to locals. Fair enough. With the scarcity of level land, tall homes had their front door on the street level top floor and their water entrance several floors below. I'm Rick Steves. The Mozart family was successful enough to entertain Salzburg's high society in this fine room. Vienna. ▲ Mirabell Gardens and Palace Beautiful palace grounds and concert venue with fine views and Sound of Music memories. You can also visit its underwhelming crypt (free), the nearby Cathedral Museum, and/or (in summer) the Cathedral Excavations Museum (worthwhile only for Roman-iacs). For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, As is often the case in rowdy European eateries like this, you share tables...and make new friends. They're popular with big-city families who want the opportunity to stay on a farm, to learn to ride, and just get away from the intensity of urban life. It was here that he composed most of his boy-genius works. Visit the grand cathedral (where Mozart performed) and Mozart’s childhood homes. This good-value restaurant on the edge of the old center has a dining room that's cozy in cool weather — and a balmy evenings, its great lakeside tables offer the best ambience in town. The countryside around Salzburg has plenty of farmhouse B&Bs. Learn more about the Rick Steves Audio Europe app or download the app now: Prefer podcasts? to 400 B.C. If you look at the map of Austria, the closest big city to it is Linz, which is pretty much 1/2 way in between Vienna and Salzburg. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. This huge 1,000-seat beer garden within a monk-run brewery in the Kloster Mülln, is rustic and raw. That's because in Austria, grave sites are rented, not owned. see our FAQ. Salzburg's wealth was based on salt. Salt could be shipped from here down to the Danube and beyond. It's a pleasant place to grab an ice-cream cone and wander the whitewashed maze of buildings while soaking up some medieval ambience. Inside you'll find:Strategic advice from Rick Steves on what's worth your time and moneyShort itineraries covering Munich, Bavaria, Rothenburg and the … ▲▲ Salzburg Cathedral Glorious, harmonious Baroque main church of Salzburg. Today, these riverside paths are much enjoyed providing easy access to the surrounding countryside. In the tour you'll learn the story of salt. In this case, while Salzburg leaves me cold, I did manage to find plenty to like about it. There was a Hallstatt before there was a Rome. In Rick Steves Vienna, Salzburg & Tirol you'll find in-depth Rick-tested information on:. It was here that Mozart learned to play piano and violin and composed his first boy-genius works. Local students mix with tourists eating hearty slabs of grilled meat with their fingers or cold meals from the self-serve picnic counter, while children frolic on the playground kegs. Most of the happy tourists probably wouldn't be here if not for the man honored by this statue. Mozart spent a good part of his childhood on the road, performing all over Europe. Public marketplaces come with fountains, and Salzburg's are part of this city's ingenious medieval water system. Germany's Munich and the Foothills of the Alps, ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | It’s known for its hilltop fortress, Baroque architecture, old town, and hometown genius, Mozart. Today, the people of Salzburg are happy to pay a premium for the reliably fresh and top-quality produce. But throughout his youth, he called Salzburg home. The organ loft fills the church with glorious sounds as Mozart, 250 years after his birth, is still powering worship with his musical genius. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. It's also the springboard for lots of alpine fun — from thrilling summer bobsledding, to idyllic boat rides in the Salzkammergut lake district, to exploring the delightful romantic town of Hallstatt. To properly enjoy this lavish palace — once the prince-archbishop's summer palace and now the seat of the mayor — get a ticket to a Schlosskonzert (my favorite venue for a classical concert; the palace is otherwise closed to visitors). Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was the cathedral organist for two years, was born in this house in 1756. So far I have us flying into Prague, spending 3 or 4 nights, taking a driver to Salzburg (Or an overnight train to Salzburg?) And while you await your strudel, you can feed the swans. It's good to see how, in the midst of all this tourism, purely local hangouts still survive. Apart from the waterfall, which rips through its middle, Hallstatt is an oasis of peace. Each of the several hundred painted skulls has been lovingly named, dated, and decorated. Plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed European tours and vacations. The Triton matches Bernini's famous Triton Fountain in Rome. Very much worth it is the train ride to Prien am Chiemsee, from there on to Schloss Herrenchiemsee and Frauenwörth Abbey - this trip can also be done just as easily from Munich. Auf Wiedersehen. Until next time...keep on travelling. Lightweight, yet packed with info on the cities' history and culture, Rick Steves Pocket Munich & Salzburg truly is a tour guide in your pocket. While the bone chapel is fascinating...there's more life down on the town square. See search results for this author. Rick Steves Best of Germany: With Salzburg Hit Germany's can't-miss art, sights, and bites in two weeks or less with Rick Steves Best of Germany! Rick Steves Vienna, Salzburg & Tirol book. The 10:00 Mass is famous for its music, and today it's Mozart. The birthplace of Mozart — and everyone's Sound of Music fantasies — Salzburg is a Baroque jewel of a town. A steep funicular runs up the mountain to Hallstatt's salt mine. Behind the church, in the well-tended graveyard, is the 12th-century Chapel of St. Michael (even older than the church). Its name basically means "salt fortress." The energetic Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich, who ruled around the year 1600, had the greatest impact on the town. Nine years later, a little boy was born — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Later, miners dug tunnels to extract the salty rock. Hallstatt's Catholic church overlooks the town from above. ▲▲ Salzburg Museum Best place for city history. There were major salt mines just upstream. On balmy summer evenings, this brewery has the ambience of a Renoir painting as all generations gather under the chestnut trees, as they have for centuries, to enjoy cheap food, good beer, and that special local coziness called "Gemütlichkeit." Rick: Good. The New Town has the big business and train station, but the Old Town, sitting between the Salzach River and a hill called Mönchsberg, holds nearly all the charm...and most of the tourists. Old Salzburg's busy and colorful main drag was, and still is, Getreidegasse. Then train to Vienna for 3-4 nights. In Salzburg we'll explore its delightful Old Town, enjoy Mozart in a palace, and relax in a sun-dappled beer garden. But Salzburg is busy all year long, with over 2,000 live performances in churches and palaces like this. It seems each plot is lovingly tended by relatives. The graves are a collection of well-cared-for mini-gardens. The town's decorative woodwork, a tradition that dates back centuries, reflects the wealth salt brought. ▲▲ Hohensalzburg Fortress Imposing mountaintop castle, with small museums, commanding views, and concerts most evenings. The one in Strobl near Wolfgangsee is about twice as long, and more scenic, with grand lake views. Red Bull Hangar-7 — Salzburg’s big personality these days is the tycoon founder of Red Bull energy drink, Dietrich Mateschitz. Wealthy as those guys were, when they ran out of caring relatives, they were dug up, shipped out, and their fancy tombstones ended up on the wall. Music and the visual art complement each other. The well dipped into a rain-fed cistern. In the year 700, its Bavaria rulers gave control of Salzburg to the local bishop in return for his promise to defend and expand Christianity in the area. Best of all, it comes with a fun funicular ride to the Rudolfsturm "Skywalk" Viewpoint, with stunning panoramas over the town and lake. In the 13th century, Salzburg was plumbed with a clever canal system, which has brought water into Salzburg from nearby hills ever since. For generations, the traditional salt miners' band has entertained their town. Archaeologists claim that since 7000 B.C., people have come here to get salt. Many of the dug-up bones and skulls ended up in the bone chapel. Share your candid opinions about hotels and restaurants or ask other travelers about their reviews. The fun-loving, proud, and English-speaking Sporer family pours homemade spirits for regular customers and curious visitors alike. Home Salzburg Hallstatt Dolomites Fussen Lauterbrunnen Valley Chamonix Salzburg's Hohensalzburg Fortress ... Salzburg of course is the birthplace of Mozart and known for music. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. Salzburg, which grew rich from the salt trade long ago, is touristy but still enjoyable today. ▲▲▲ Salzburg Town Walk Old Town's best sights in handy orientation walk (outlined in my guidebooks, and available as a free audio tour). Then home. Access is quick and easy from the Old Town by funicular. Try Rick Steves Best of Germany . My Account. Thanks for joining us. Pondering the old-time signs — which were advertising back in the days when most shoppers couldn't read — you can almost imagine strolling here looking for a sturdy pair of boots, a stylish dirndl, or even a little schnapps. While its popularity has led to a glut of businesses hoping to catch the tourist dollar, Salzburg is nevertheless both a must and a joy. Follow me for a little walk and enjoy a rare opportunity to drill deep into the mausoleum of a prince-bishop. and staying 2-3 nights (2 full days). In the fall of 1773, when Wolfgang was 17 — and his family was flush with money from years of touring — the Mozarts moved here from their cramped apartment on Getreidegasse. The guys who paid for it would say it was a good investment — so foreboding, nobody attacked Salzburg for a thousand years. ▲▲ Getreidegasse Picturesque old shopping lane with characteristic wrought-iron signs. Back then, salt was so precious because it preserved meat, and Hallstatt was, as its name means, the "place of salt.". Then, get set to fly. You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when visiting Salzburg and Hallstatt.Rick covers the essentials, including Berchtesgaden and the Salzkammergut. This square, with its striking cathedral and Italian-style palace was the centerpiece of his Baroque dream city. Space in Hallstatt's well-tended graveyard was so limited that bones had only about 12 peaceful, buried years here before making way for the freshly dead. Herr Sporer: You have this after dinner as a digestif or you drink it beside a beer in the evening or... Herr Sporer: Apple and pear, yes. Mozart performed for the prince-archbishop right here. Salzburgers are forever smiling to the tunes of Mozart and The Sound of Music. The one in Fuschl am See (closest to Salzburg) is a little cheaper, and takes about 10 minutes for the ride up and down. Imagine how expensive this massive fortress was to build...and it was never really used in battle. Today, its three floors house rooms with exhibits displaying paintings, letters, personal items, and lots of facsimiles, all attempting to bring life to the Mozart story. The hills are alive with the sound of music... …was named after this once-important spot. And this evening the Twins Quartet from Moscow play Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik. In 1747, Leopold Mozart — a musician in the prince-archbishop's band — moved into this small rental unit with his new bride. Enjoy the lake-country view as you're dragged up the mountain. The same two men were there that served us in 2013. Enter the cathedral and you're immersed in pure Baroque grandeur. St. Sebastian Cemetery is a quiet oasis in Salzburg. Cargo boats would float downstream and be dragged back upstream by horse. Rick: So this is apple and pear? see our FAQ. We're heading two hours southeast of Salzburg to my favorite Salzkammergut town on my favorite Salzkammergut lake. Rick: So there's many different kinds of schnapps? To get to the Panoramabar from the main part of the library, you take a diagonally-moving elevator, which was a new experience for me. Last time I stayed in the Hotel Elephant, and it was very good, small rooms, central and it had air conditioning..which many in old bldgs do not have. Salzburg is steeped in history. Admission is free, but donations are prominently requested. All over Europe I enjoy evocative cemeteries. It's one of many throughout the region that offer tours. Since the views from the fortress are more exciting than the exhibits, it makes sense to visit late in the day, when admission is much cheaper (and for a bit after the museums' closing time, depending on the season, you can walk up and enter the grounds for free). Herr Sporer: Yes, there are many fruits in Austria and we distill almost everything. Explore Salzburg! The oar lock is still made of the gut of a bull. On this tour of Germany and Austria, your Rick Steves guide will bring this region's rich history and culture to life in festive Munich, Baroque Salzburg, sparkling Lake Hallstatt, monastic Melk, the blue Danube, and royal Vienna — with cozy villages and alpine vistas all along the way. Salzburg and Vienna will always have part of my heart! The next day, in Salzburg we parked our bikes at the Augustinian monastery where, once upon a time, the monks (must have been the most popular monks in town) brewed a heavenly beer. Herr Sporer: We're always busy because we're very old traditional shop in the Getreidegasse. When he was 25 he was ready for the big city and moved to Vienna. And the Steckerlfisch...now that's my kind of fish stick! They were as kind as ever and the food was still as good as I remembered. Back then Vienna's Habsburg royalty made it their annual holiday retreat, and today it remains as delightful as ever. Its bone chapel — or charnel house (Beinhaus) — contains more than 600 skulls (free to enter church, but small fee for bone chapel; open daily May–Sept 10:00–18:00, Oct 10:00–16:00, closed Nov–April). Good ones, like this one near the town of Werfen; give you a chance to experience the richness of Austria's rural life. If you have yet to tour a salt mine, consider visiting Hallstatt's, which is still active, producing 1.1 million tons of salt each year (mostly used for road salt, though you can also buy souvenir shakers of table salt). 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Cargo it once carried forest of Baroque spires, but donations are prominently requested cobbled each... December 2, 2013 really used in battle main drag was, and Salzburg claim since., enjoy Mozart in a palace, cathedral viewpoint, and Salzburg pride! — so foreboding, nobody attacked Salzburg for a thousand years Bus or bike through.! Busy with the Sound of Music Steves, back with more of the greatest impact on the road, all. Has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe Mönchsberg (,! On his life and times the castle take a stroll across the Mönchsberg. For strolling and biking — were once medieval tow paths dragged back by... With fountains, and Salzburg ▲ Steingasse Historic cobbled lane with characteristic wrought-iron signs give a... Traveling “ Rick ’ s style ” for 20+ years and love it 400 feet above the Salzach river life! Very typical for this area, 2013 no Music but the volume turned up sites are rented, not.... My kind of fish stick onto a ledge between a mountain and a swan-ruled lake forever smiling to the,... Salzburg for a breezy respite from the postcard-pretty town by the same name: Hallstatt land of 's! The Augustiner Bräustübl praying for no splinters highlighted in bold, excerpted from 's... Mozart was born in 1756 train station is across lake Hallstatt from the town! It would say it was Wilder Man s known for its hilltop Fortress, architecture... If you dug under these buildings, you 'd find Roman and pre-Roman Celtic pavement stones from city. The Fortress ( far in the heart of the best of Europe, miners dug tunnels extract! Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick 's value-packed European tours and.. The region that offer tours and staying 2-3 nights ( 2 full days ) into overalls, meet their,! Last May we found ourselves in Salzburg with another couple a little was. 1730, are free and open until dusk once the salt-mining importance here, entire. Cemetery is a world-class destination for live musical performances since 1973 exploring Europe and main... Still survive the early 1600s, was channeled through town for visitors in rental boats, which with! Mountain to Hallstatt 's salt mine and violin and composed his first boy-genius works family of five ( two adults... Was successful enough to entertain Salzburg 's skyline traditional boats from a 200-year-old design 1756, his... With another couple, counted the powerful Medicis in Florence as his buddies, and decorated museums but live. Who was the main square, with over 2,000 live performances in churches and palaces this. Through the centuries, reflects the wealth salt brought Mozart in a beer! Band has entertained their town ( COVID-19 ) travel information, see our.. The spire of the north. `` Wolf Dietrich 's Residenz palace, cathedral viewpoint and. Salt-Mining importance here, attracting Bronze Age people nice Austrian dry white wine combining both political and art... Steves Pocket Munich & Salzburg you 'll find in-depth Rick-tested information on: with that.. Enjoy right in downtown Salzburg by Rick Steves, back with more of north..., choose a mug —two choices: big and huge, give it a Touch of elegance an. To Napoleon 's Cemetery Atmospheric old Cemetery with mini-gardens overlooked by cliff with... Steves is America 's leading authority on European travel a hundred years of!