Austria Day 3: Sat 21/5/11: Salzburg

It was another crazy day of squeezing all the city sightseeing in a day. To maximize time, I visited Mirabell Garten first since I do not have to wait till 9 for admission. This popular garden was already swarmed with Japanese and Chinese tourists by the time I arrived. Tourists were drawn to the spot where The Sound of Music was filmed. The Pegasus fountain with a background of Salzburg fortress (Festung) gives an impressive view. Schloss Mirabell was first built in 1606 as a gift of love from Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau for Salome Alt. The palace's Marble Hall is reputed to be one of the most beautiful wedding hall in the world. The Baroque or Angel staircase in the palace is a MUST see! Coincidentally, there was a wedding going on and I nosily followed the guests to see their traditional Austrian costumes.

Nearby is Mozart Wohnhaus (Mozart Residence) where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived for 7 years here(1773-1780). Inside is collection of his musical instruments including pianoforte, music manuscripts and letters. No photography is allowed. After that, I crossed the River Salzach via Staatsbrucke to the Rathaus and Mozart Gebursthaus (Mozart Birthplace) where he lived in the first 17 years of his life. He spent 3 years of his life travelling around Europe in a carriage. Here, there is more information about his family history, his career, his happy marriage and children and his death at the young age of 35. Mozart's lock of hair and his mini violin are also being displayed. 

Since it was a Saturday, there was huge crowd everywhere and the streets were congested. I walked along the busy Getreidegasse to reach Monchsberglift that will go all the way up to Museum der Moderne Monschberg ( Museum Modern Art). It is not a large museum but I particularly like the sculptures by Tony Cragg and Alberto Giacometti. Outside the museum is a viewing terrace with superb view of Salzburg. Walking towards Festung, I stumbled across the busy Green Market just in front of Collegiate Church. I did not stop due to lack of time :( 

Reached Domplatz. Dom zu Salzburg or Salzburg Cathedral is dedicated to St Rupert and St Virgil and it was first built in 774. At the entrance to the cathedral is inscription of year 774, 1628 (consecration of new building that was built to replace the old minster that was demolished after a fire) and 1959 (reopening of cathedral after rebuilding during post war period).

After the cathedral is the highlight of the day, Salzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg). It was first built in 1077 as a wooden bailey under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. Over the years, it expanded under the reign of different rulers. Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach is one of the influential ruler that contributed to major changes of this fortress. He added State Rooms with the Golden chamber. To save time, I took Festungbahn to top of Festungsberg (free with Salzburg Card). There is free guided tour to the Gallery, Torture Chamber, Observation Tower (360 degree view of Salzburg), Battlement and Salzburg Bull (huge aerophon of more than 200 pipes, now used to signal the start and end of carillon during October). There are few museums inside Festung namely Rainer museum, fortress museum, Marionette Museum (the most interesting). One of the oldest building is a Romanesque Fortress Chapel that is mainly ruins now. The State rooms are in the same building as the museums.


Next is Salzburg Museum with many religious relics and Residenz Palace which was the royal residence of the Archbishops. I did not have the chance to visit the palace as it was closed so I visited the art gallery instead. The Residenzplatz with its magnificent fountain is a great place to relax and watch the carriage horses. Just before 5pm, I visited the Panorama Museum where I get to see a restored panorama painting of Salzburg by Johann Michael Sattler in 1829.


Since the Salzach River cruise is free with Salzburg card, I  boarded the last boat of the day. It was very crowded and I did not get a good seat (need to add small fees for deck seats). I was so tired that I dozed off for good part of the journey :( Anyway, cruise really is not my thing...


Shopped in a surprisingly cheap grocery shop opposite the jetty and found the yummiest potato crisps I have ever eaten: wasabi flavoured crisps!!! I still think of it from time to time :p Had dinner in one of the restaurant at Getreidegasse before returning to hostel.

Residenz Fountain