Salzburg Old Town

Location

Salzburg, Austria

Stories and legends

There is no core myth or legend; "Salt Castle" takes its name from the salt trade — a matter of documented history.

History and context

Salzburg is named for salt (Salz) and was ruled for centuries by prince-archbishops; Hohensalzburg Fortress, begun in 1077, is among the largest surviving castles in Central Europe; Mozart's birthplace (No. 9 Getreidegasse, the yellow house) and its museum are points of pilgrimage; the old town has been under strict protection law since the 1960s (its old-town protection act is a pioneering piece of Austrian legislation); the cathedral is an early Baroque masterpiece (consecrated in 1628); the Salzburg Festival was founded in 1920 (held every July–August, as officially announced).

Local life

Salzburg's character is "small and full": the old town can be crossed in a day, yet it holds the festival, a Jesuit university and its beer gardens (the Augustiner brewery dates to 1621). The Mozartkugel (created in 1890 by the Fürst confectionery, whose original shop still trades) is the city's best-known speciality; many imitations are sold, so look for the original shop's silver-and-blue wrapping.

Customs

In festival season the whole city wears evening dress to concerts; the Christmas market (Cathedral Square) is a famous Austrian market.

Beliefs

The cathedral and St Peter's Abbey are the Catholic core (with the history of the prince-archbishopric); overall the city is centred on music and Baroque urban culture.

Local etiquette

Keep quiet when returning home at night in old-town residential areas (in festival season as well); the sloping stone paths inside the fortress are slippery in the rain; photography inside Mozart's birthplace follows the museum's rules.

Visiting notes

Best in festival season (for the atmosphere) and on spring/autumn weekdays (for value); the Salzburg Card covers the fortress funicular and the main museums, and the 24-hour version is the most used (following the official card); the old town is entirely walkable — stay a night.

What to eat nearby

Wiener Schnitzel (found all over Austria, Salzburg included); Salzburger Nockerl (an egg-white soufflé dessert whose three peaks symbolise the city's three hills); Mozartkugel (from the original shop); Austrian beer and cheese-dumpling soup (Kaspressknödelsuppe)

Around Getreidegasse; the St Peter Stiftskulinarium restaurant (which claims to be among Europe's oldest restaurants — by the house's own records); the beer gardens

Nockerl is made to order and takes about 20 minutes, and is shared by the table; in beer gardens you may bring your own food, but drinks must be bought in the garden — that is the traditional rule

A sit-down meal €22–40 (approx. RMB 172–312, for reference only)

The Sound of Music location tours (Mirabell Palace and others) make a worthwhile half-day extra — use a reputable operator; fortress tickets come in basic and all-inclusive tiers, so check carefully before buying.