Although in the city almost everything revolves around him, from the statue in the old square, or the houses where he lived, to the shop windows of souvenir shops, Salzburg, in Austria, has many more charms, such as for example the River Salzach, which flows alongside the city and its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. With him, we are of course referring to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a prestigious and influential classical composer, author of over six hundred works, despite his premature death.
Long before Mozart was born, on the top of hill within the historic centre, a fortress dominated the skyline of the old baroque city. Back in the distant year of 1077, Archbishop Gebhard commissioned the construction of the Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress), thus marking, to this day, the urban landscape of Salzburg. In the following years, his successors were responsible for its expansion, until, in around 1500, it acquired its present appearance, under the ‘command’ of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Its original purpose was to protect the principality and the archbishopric from enemy attacks. And this it achieved, as the Hohensalzburg Fortress has never been conquered by foreign troops.
Long before Mozart was born, on the top of hill within the historic centre, a fortress dominated the skyline of the old baroque city. Back in the distant year of 1077, Archbishop Gebhard commissioned the construction of the Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress), thus marking, to this day, the urban landscape of Salzburg. In the following years, his successors were responsible for its expansion, until, in around 1500, it acquired its present appearance, under the ‘command’ of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Its original purpose was to protect the principality and the archbishopric from enemy attacks. And this it achieved, as the Hohensalzburg Fortress has never been conquered by foreign troops.
Today, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the best preserved in Central Europe. It is open to the public throughout the year and, since 1892, is it accessible not only on foot, but also via the Festungsbahn funicular railway. The visit can take a few hours. Making your way around the various towers, taking guided tours with audio guides and enjoying the princely rooms, which are kept in a remarkable state, are some of your options. But the major highlights are its museums and the landscape you can see from it: Salzburg at your feet and, on the horizon, the majesty of the Alps.
