A walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Salzburg
What better way to discover the special features of Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage than on a long walk through the city? But where to start, where to go and, above all, where to stop? We from SalzburgerLand Magazin have set out and put together a walk that leads to the most beautiful places in the city of Mozart and shows why the state capital has been a World Heritage Site for exactly 25 years. Intended to be followed and counted on!
The festival halls
Let’s go in front of the theatrical masks that die the facade next to the main entrance of the festival halls decorate. Created in 1926, these works of art can also be found in the logo of the Salzburg Festival wider. When performances are not taking place, the Great Festival Hall (opened in 1960), the House for Mozart (opened in 1927 and 2006 respectively) and the Felsenreitschule can be visited as part of daily tours. Strictly speaking, the latter is not considered a festival hall at all, but rather a venue – even if some of the most legendary pieces of the Salzburg Festival, the Whitsun Festival and the Easter Festival took place in the Felsenreitschule. In addition to the stages themselves, highlights are the Faistauer Foyer and the Karl-Böhm-Saal. In addition, you should definitely see the 17 meter Mozart head made of Swarovski crystals.
Peter’s Cemetery
Through the Toskaninihof, past the Rupertus fountain and the Archabbey of St. Peter, you reach the small, enchanted one Peter’s Cemetery. Built together with the monastery, it was probably built around the year 700. The oldest tombstone is that of Abbot Dietmar, who probably died in 1288 and was buried here. Many well-known Salzburg families have had their family graves here since the Middle Ages. At the edge of the cemetery, carved into the fortress hill, you can visit the catacombs. These emerged in late antiquity and served as an early Christian meeting place.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
If you leave the cemetery through the back exit, you come to the Michael-Haydn-Stiege on the right hand side and you come directly to Hohensalzburg Fortress. Caution is advised here, the path is rather steep. Alternatively, you can also reach the fortress via the fortress railway. This is considered the largest preserved castle in Central Europe and was built in the 11th century. Due to its imposing location, you have a wonderful view in all directions – from the baroque towers of the old town, over the green summit of the Gaisberg, to the rocky Untersberg. The unmistakable silhouette is THE symbol of the city.
Nonnberg Abbey
Continue on the Hoher Weg zum Nonnberg Abbey. Some might know it from the movie “Sound of Music”. It is also located on Festungsberg. Today’s Benedictine Abbey was founded between 712 and 715 by St. Rupert. Only the cemetery and the collegiate church are freely accessible. You should definitely see them, not least because of the Romanesque frescoes. And if you’re lucky, you can hear the choir of nuns singing.
Sebastian Cemetery
You can reach the Staatsbrücke via Mozartplatz, Goldgasse and the Alter Markt. On the other side of the Salzach, the Linzer Gasse awaits with its shops and bars. You can reach it through an inner courtyard Sebastian Cemetery and immediately the bustle of the city gives way to the peaceful stillness of the place. The cemetery was laid out according to an Italian model with a grove of graves surrounded by arcades. In the middle is the burial chapel of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, built in 1600, which looks like a round temple from antiquity. In general, there are many tombs of dignitaries and nobles – among them the Mozart and Paracelsus families.
Mirabelle
After a detour at Markatplatz, where it Mozart’s house and the baroque Trinity Church to leaf through, you reach Mirabell Palace. Built in 1606 by Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau for private, family use, it is one of the highlights of the world cultural heritage. The Marble Hall, which is open to the public, is considered the ‘most romantic wedding hall’ and is the destination of many bridal couples from all over the world year after year. The Mirabell Gardens are considered a masterpiece of horticultural art and were conceived by the important architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach around 1687.
Moenchsberg
Through the shady spa garden with the beautifully landscaped rose hill you reach the Müllner Steg, which takes you back to the other side of the Salzach, in the historic district of Mülln. Past the baroque parish church of Our Lady Mariae Himmelfahrt, simply the Augustinian Church in Salzburg, the path now leads up to the Mönchsberg. Numerous vantage points line the way, on the man through the silence of the city forest, finally Museum of Modernity reached. Here you are spoiled for choice. Either take the elevator back down to the old town or take the detour via the Clemens Hofmeister stairs?
Getreidegasse and Mozart
What would a visit to historic Salzburg be without strolling through Getreidegasse? As the heart of the old town, there is always a hustle and bustle here, and people from near and far. Day after day, leaf through the beautiful house portals behind which great shops are located. The Mozart family not only lived here for 26 years, the house with the number 9 is also considered to be that Birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the apartment there is now a museum in which original exhibits can be seen.
Salzburg Cathedral
You leave the Getreidegasse via the Siegmund-Haffner-Gasse and, past the Franciscan Church, you reach the Franziskanergesse. It is worth slowing down here, as there is a coronation ahead – the Coronation of Mary. Through a clever illusion, it looks as if the statue of Mary on the cathedral square is crowned with the crown on the cathedral facade. The cathedral itself was built during the Thirty Years’ War and holds countless treasures that are worth browsing during a visit.
Mozart Square with UNESCO Plaque
Walk the last few meters across the Residenzplatz with the large Residenzbrunnen to the Mozartplatz and the large statue of “our Woiferls”. This was started in 1842. At the foot of the Mozart monument is the plaque dying for the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Title approved. An honor bestowed on the city of Salzburg exactly 25 years ago.