Two weeks ago I spent an adorable weekend in Salzburg. Some of you know that I was born in Austria, but up to now I had not the opportunity to properly visit one of Austria's most popular touristic destinations. The city of Mozart. The city of 'The Sound of Music'. Salzburg.
A perfectly overcast afternoon set the dramatic scenery for Salzburg's beautiful old town featuring some amazing sights: The famous street Getreidegasse is the main commercial thoroughfare in the old town with must-sees like Mozart's birth house and the famous Café Mozart. Don't miss the side alleys though - they feature some beautiful courtyards and somewhat more serene cafés for a little break. A visit to the ciy's castle, the 'Hohensalzburg', is compulsory and you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over this alpine city. Moreover, stroll through the beautiful park 'Mirabellgarten' and enjoy the feast of colours and the adjacent castle 'Mirabell'. For the 'hop on, hop off' fans among you, I recommend the 'Sound of Music' double decker tour bus. Discovering the city's sights and sounds can be as easy and comfy.
Speaking of 'The Sound of Music' I always love to state one fun fact. As someone who was born in Austria, I haven't heard of this movie and musical until a few years ago. It was completely unknown to me and to a wide scope of the Austrian population. The immense popularity and success of the movie and musical happened mainly in the US and other countries. And that is how I got into it - through my international friends. Well, it is always funny to see a country's clichés from another perspective - as someone who was born and raised in Austria.
Salzburg features many cultural institutions, theaters, museums, and a widely known summer festival and the nearby mountains and lakes offer scenic hiking trails to enjoy the nature. So, if you happen to plan a visit to central Europe, don't miss a little detour to Salzburg. It is definitely worth a visit. And if you are a sweet tooth, don't forget to bring a box of the famous Mozart chocolate balls (Mozartkugeln) back home.
Happy Monday!
Photography by Igor Josifovic; poster via Movieposter.
Aaah! Love it, seriously, even the clouds are lovely!
ReplyDeleteSalzburg is a great city. I`ve actually been there several times.
ReplyDeleteSalzburg looks great. Fun to read about The Sound of Music from a native Austrian's perspective!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I plan to visit Salzburg this summer and now I'm looking forward to it even more!
ReplyDeleteLoved your tour of Salzburg - another place I'm dying to visit. And it's probably a good thing that Hollywood's influence doesn't extend everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThis is one place I've always wanted to visit! I have a soft spot for Mozart as my father used to play me his piano concertos when I was a baby, to put me to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThose posts inspire me so much every time I read them. I would have never thought of visiting these cities until I started reading your blog (but now I have a huge list). You know I've never seen the sound of music (yet I live right next to the US). I'm gonna get right on that.
ReplyDeleteoh how beautiful ~ thanks, Igor, for opening the window to Salzburg for me! I love that you had never heard of The Sound of Music! I'm not sure why I find that so wonderfully funny :)
ReplyDeleteSalzburg is such a beautiful city. It's been way too long since I visited. Your post takes me back.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I had never thought about the Sound of Music vs. the Austrians thing. I thought the musical was a big hit there like everywhere else ;-) In this house we love it.
It looks like a beautiful city Igor>what's the significance of the locks on the fence (or does everyone know that apart from me??!!) :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline! These locks are on a bridge and are attached to it by love couples...it's something that can be seen in many cities around the world!
DeleteOh Igor, I love this... did you really not know about TSOM? That is utterly charming! Me, who came to London 32 years ago have been bombarded with it. You know there are cinemas where you have a sing along and people dress up and sing to the music.... I must take you, it's hilarious!!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and real fun post. Ah, and then there is the Mozart kugeln.... yum, anyone else like Marzipan? Do you know the Neuberger Marzipan??
Bis bald!
I don't know the Neuberger one, but the very traditional Niederegger Marzipan from the northern German city of Lübeck. I even went once to their store in Lübeck and shopped myself happy:-)
DeleteSWOON. I have wanted to see Austria for all of my life, after my parents spoke of it's beauty (and sound of music, of course)! I have heard that the locals aren't much into the film, but boy Americans are!! So gorgeous...and how lucky are you to be Austrian?!
ReplyDeleteThe hills are alive with the sound if music I love this it's so romantic. Thank you Igor!
ReplyDeleteIgor! I also had to giggle when you admitted to not knowing about The Sound of Music :) Tina, that sing-along cinema sounds awful, but probably very funny!
ReplyDeleteI only like marzipan in almond croissants ;) Combined with chocolate ... not so much my thing.
Salzburg has been added to the list. Geez, Igor, since I found your blog my list of places to go has got so much longer!! ;)
Thanks for taking us to Salzburg, Xx.
I 've been there some years ago, it was Xmas... beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, same hire Holly. My list of places to visit is much longer since I found this blog :). I´ve been in Salzbur before, but allways in winter time. I love that city it is so magical and actually bit similar to my Ljubljana :). But there is something interesting about that city. One of my favorite writers is Thomas Bernhard an Austrian writer who grow up in Salzburg. But Bernhard do not have much nice words for his home town at all. Hire I do not agree with him.
ReplyDeleteOk, I never even heard of this city but it looks so romantic and beautiful! You always put the travel bug in me!
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