Exploring Salzburg Austria

• The Sound of Music was filmed here! And you can stay at Hotel Schloss Leopolskron, which you might recognize as the Von Trapp house!
• The famous Red Bull drink was created in Salzburg.
• Salzburg literally means "salt castle" due to all of the salt mining done around the city.
• Prior to 1816, Salzburg was its own country, separate from the rest of Austria.
• Europe’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter Stiftskeller (opened in 803) here and is built into the side of the mountain.
• During WWII, the city was bombed heavily, with almost half of the city’s buildings destroyed. There are still hundreds of unexploded bombs from the air strikes that remain in the city today, that are periodically discovered.
• Fortress Hohensalzburg (which sits above the city) is the largest and most fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. Initial construction on it began in 1077.
• Salt is in the Name: Salzburg's name translates to "Salt Fortress." The city's prosperity stemmed from its strategic location on a major salt trade route, highlighting its historical significance.
• Birthplace of Red Bull: This global energy drink brand originated in Salzburg in 1987 by Dietrich Mateschitz. The city's entrepreneurial spirit extends far beyond its historical roots.
• Mozart Wasn't Alone: While Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is undeniably Salzburg's most famous son, the city boasts a long musical legacy. Festivals dedicated to classical music have been held here for centuries, making it a true music lover's paradise.
• Home to the World's Oldest Restaurant? St. Peter Stiftskeller, a restaurant nestled within an abbey, claims the title of the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, dating back to 803 AD.

After the mini train reaches as far as it can go, everyone dismounts and the walking tour of the mine commences. At one point, we actually crossed back into Germany, giving you an idea of how large this mine is.

As the mine is comprised of multiple levels, the access from level to level is via long wooden slides, which are polished to a high shine due to the incredible number of coverall wearing visitors who have slid down them!

Rolling along on the mini-train, headed to where the salt mine walking tour started. It was probably not quite a kilometer or two inside the mountain, but it was a rather fun way to cover that distance!

Mining is no longer performed there, as they have discovered that using water to percolate through the salt, produces a very briny fluid which is then left to dry, to produce high quality salt.

After our tour concluded, we drove back to Salzburg to visit the Hohensalzburg Festung, which sits high on a hill above the city. Salzburg is split down the middle by the River Salzach, with the "old city" on the side of the river nearest the Festung, and the "new city" on the other side. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in the 18th century, and the movie "Sound of Music" was filmed in and around this city.

There is our goal, all we have to do is walk through the Palace grounds, cross over the Salzach River on the Karolinen Brücke and wind our way through Old Town.

Mirabell Palace was built in 1606 by the Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a symbol of his love for his mistress, Salome Alt. The palace underwent significant renovations in the 18th century and was later used by the royalty of the city.

The Palace is a popular tourist attraction, known for its stunning architecture, intricate detailing, and beautiful gardens. The palace is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens that feature a wide variety of flowers, plants, and sculptures. The most famous part of the gardens is the Pegasus Fountain, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful fountains in Europe.

The Mozartplatz is a rectangular square in the Altstadt (the "old town" of Salzburg), which was created by the demolition of various town houses under Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau in 1588. The square is named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous classical composer who was born and raised in Salzburg.

At the center of Mozartplatz Altstadt is a statue of Mozart, which was erected in 1842 to commemorate the composer's life and legacy. The statue stands tall and proud, overlooking the square and serving as a symbol of the city's deep connection to classical music.

Surrounding the square are numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops, where visitors can enjoy traditional Austrian cuisine and purchase souvenirs to take home. The buildings in the area are well-preserved, showcasing the city's charming architecture and historical significance.

If you are walking from the Karolinen to the Festung, you will most likely walk through or past this area. The Festungsgasse will bring you past the plaza to the Festung entrance in about 10 minutes of walking.

If you are walking along the Festungsgasse, you are going to walk past the southern side of the Cathedral. This seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral is dedicated to Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius. Saint Rupert founded the church in 774 on the remnants of a Roman town, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire. In the seventeenth century, the cathedral was completely rebuilt in the Baroque style under Prince-Bishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to its present appearance. Salzburg Cathedral still contains the baptismal font in which composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized.

Located on the eastern side of the Austrian A-10 (51.2 kilometers) south of Salzburg & east of Werfen, are the Eisreisenwelt Ice Caves. Discovered in 1897 and for 35 years, the cave was only reachable by foot. A cable car was constructed in 1955 for the steepest part of the trail (from 1,086 meters to 1,586 meters). In 2015 a new cable car system was installed.

The Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave in Austria is a natural wonder and one of the largest ice caves in the world, attracting over 200,000 visitors from around the world each year. Located near Werfen in the Austrian Alps, this mesmerizing labyrinth stretches over 42 kilometers, showcasing spectacular ice formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. Guided tours lead visitors through a portion of the cave's icy chambers, offering a surreal experience of subterranean beauty. The cave remains naturally cold year-round, making it a refreshing escape during summer months.

The cave is remarkably cold, with interior temperatures hovering around 0°C (32°F) even during summer months. This consistent chill is due to the natural insulation of the mountain and the formation of ice through melted snow seeping into the cave and refreezing. Visitors should dress warmly, wearing winter jackets, long pants, gloves, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes to stay comfortable while exploring this icy marvel​.

• Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
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• Salzburg History on the 'Britannica' site
• Things to see & do in Salzburg on the 'Crazy Tourist' site
• Things to see & do in Salzburg on the 'Travel US News' site
• Things to see & do in Salzburg on the 'Culture Trip' site
• Google search results list for "Salzburg Restaurants"
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• Eisreisenwelt Ice Caves Website
• 2.5 Hour Walking Tour of Salzburg from "Get Your Guide"
• Amazon search results list for "Salzburg"
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• Wikipedia Article for Salzburg
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