How Salzburg stole my Heart

Salzburg was a destination long on my list of places I wanted to visit and discover. During my recent trip to Munich, Germany, I finally got a chance to fulfill my wish. On my way back home I made a stop in this wonderful little city in the Alps. Tourists frequent the city to tour the its historic center and the scenic Alpine surroundings. It's a popular destination for skiers since a lot of resorts can be found around it. Salzburg is a very expensive place to visit and you have to be aware of that from the start. I wouldn't go shopping in the Old Town, though there is a lot to see and a lot of things worth spending your money on.

Salzburg's Old Town (Altstadt) is internationally renowned for its baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city has three universities and a large population of students. Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for the musical play and film The Sound of Music.

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The river divides two sides of the city, though each part is accesible via one of the many bridges found there. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak, the 1,972‑metre-high Untersberg, is less than 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the city centre.

The Old Town of Salzburg is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg. This area is surrounded by two smaller mountains, the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg, which offer green relief within the city.

Things to do in Salzburg

• Fortress Hohensalzburg: Huge 11th-century fortress complex on a hilltop with views over city to the Alps & museums.
• Mirabell Palace: Iconic, 17th-century palace with ornamental gardens, plus classical concerts in the lavish ballroom.
• Schloss Hellbrunn: 17th-century Renaissance palace & pleasure gardens with grottos, novelty fountains & a theater.
• Petersfriedhof: Picturesque cemetery with baroque tombs of nobility as well as 12th-century catacombs & chapels.
• Altstadt von Salzburg (Old Town)
• Stift Nonnberg: Convent church, consecrated in 1009, with a crypt, 12th-century frescoes & Roman Catholic services.
• Salzburger Residenz: Great museum with a fantastic flow to the audio guide.
• Salzburg Cathedral: Twin spires top this baroque-style 17th-century cathedral, with a museum housing sacred treasures.

Before I departed Salzburg I visited the nearby Europark Shopping Mall. Featuring over 100 stores it's the biggest mall in Salzburg. I made a stop here to get some books and souvenirs (which are much cheaper here then in the Old Town).

A sight of the Alps greeted me one more time before I started heading south through Austira on my way back home...

Did you enjoy Salzburg? Would you consider a visit? Let me know in the comments below.

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