![]() Lined with restaurants, cafes and bars, it's a great place to relax and unwind, or be entertained.Īs Salzburg's center of government, Residenzplatz has long been flanked by important buildings: the Cathedral (to the south), the old Residence Palace of the city's rulers (to the right when facing the Cathedral), and the New Residence, with its bell tower – now housing the Salzburg Museum (to the left). Home to works of art both modern and historic, this square is also an event venue that often hosts festivities, artistic events and celebrations. It looks a bit like a mini-version of the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, which is probably why many tourists throw coins into the shallow well. Credited to another German sculptor, Anton Pfaffinger, the fountain shows the God of the Sea holding a trident and crown while being mounted on a seahorse spurting water. This latter, diamond-shaped square is bounded not only by the Cathedral, but also by other residences and offices with ecclesiastical references, all serving as reminders of the powerful archdiocese that once ruled the city.Īside from the very beautiful view of Hohensalzburg Fortress (perfect for taking pictures), three things stand out on the square itself: the giant chessboard that often draws a crowd, the playful modern sculpture of the 'emotionless man' on the golden ball ('Sphaera', 2007) by the German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol, and a spectacular Neptune's Fountain, built in 1732 on the site of one of the old horse ponds. Not least as a result of radical urban reconstruction measures under Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the Salzburg Cathedral is surrounded by several squares: Residenzplatz to the N, Domplatz to the W, Mozartplatz to the E, and Kapitelplatz to the S. ![]() If time allows, take advantage of dinner and the concerts which feature local musicians playing wonderful classical music from the region.ĭaily: 9 am-7 pm (May-Sep) 9:30 am-5 pm (Oct-Apr) To save money and avoid the crowds, take advantage of online booking using the 'early bird' pricing (you'll then scan tickets from your device to get access to the site). They do a great job telling the story of this fortress and its growth over the centuries.Īlthough most visitors opt for the one-minute trip on the funicular, consider walking up if you are in decent shape and if the weather allows, as that makes the experience more enjoyable and there are some nice things to see on the way. ![]() Worth going to for the views alone, but the short guided tour is also fascinating. Don't miss visiting the few rooms with the marionettes on display, and try to leak into the old church as well. It’s a pleasant place to grab an ice cream cone and wander the whitewashed maze of buildings while soaking up some medieval ambiance. Today, it remains one of Europe's mightiest castles, offering unique panoramic views (of the city, mountains, and surrounding plains) as well as cafés and a handful of museums. What started as a small castle eventually grew into a mighty, whitewashed fortress – so foreboding that no army even tried attacking for over eight centuries (though it was once unsuccessfully besieged by a group of Protestant peasants in the 1500s).Īfter a stint as a military barracks, the fortress was opened to the public in the 1860s by Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef. but that sums up the Middle Ages in many places. Let's just say that the Archbishops were more businessmen and politicians than churchmen. Constructed about 1077 by one of the city's Archbishops, it was more a show of the Catholic Church's power and determination than anything else. The mighty fortress dominates the skyline over Salzburg, as of course was the intention.
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