The undefeated Hohensalzburg Fortress is the defining feature of Salzburg's skyline, towering high above the Old Town on its lofty perch atop the Mönchsberg. Originally constructed in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, the castle was expanded over the years, taking its current form in the year 1500 under the guidance of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Built to monumental proportions, the castle is one of Europe's largest Medieval structures, its sprawling embrace a cornucopia of Medieval artistic and architectural riches. The State Rooms and Princely Chambers are the most lavishly adorned, closely followed by the Chapel of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. Today, the castle houses the Museum of the Rainer Regiment, the Fortress Museum and the Marionette Museum, and hosts the annual Salzburg Fortress Concerts amid the mount's ancient trees. Multimedia displays and interactive experiences bring the Medieval Era alive at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, historic Salzburg's crowning glory.
DomQuartier Salzburg is a magnificent museum in Salzburg, which is home to over 2,000 intriguing exhibits, and documents the art and architecture over 1,300 years. Formerly the seat of the archbishop, the museum opened in 2014 to public, after a gap of over 200 years. The gallery features certain artifacts from the Archdiocese of Salzburg. The museum offers several kinds of tours, right from thematic tours, general tours, tours for children and more.
In 1610, Santino Solari, the architect of the Salzburger Dom, was appointed to build a pleasure palace on the southern outskirts of the city. The result was this magnificent early baroque building, which is set in an equally magnificent park. The park, a stunning amalgamation of serene woods, verdant hills, and picturesque pathways, is now extremely popular with both tourists and locals. The Wasserspiele Hellbrunn is also located near the site and is a feast for the senses.
The history of the Residence building began in 1110. In this year, Archbishop Conrad I decided to give his old quarters back to the monks of St. Peter and started building a new domicile for himself right across from the cathedral. Since then, numerous archbishops have added their own ideas. As the clerical figureheads were extremely rich, it features an abundance of gold, priceless furniture and velvet carpets. The luxurious rooms can still be viewed today. An extensive building, it offers a splendid view of the Old Town, is home to a gallery, and plays host to a number of political meetings.
The perfect place to come on a rainy day, this museum was founded in 1834 and named after Caroline Auguste, wife of Emperor Franz I. Now shifted to a new and modern location and spanning 3 floors and a basement, the museum highlights the cultural history of Salzburg from the prehistoric era through to the present day. Each floor is dedicated to a particular theme and the basement is used for temporary exhibits.
The city of Salzburg is forever associated with its most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The house on Getreidegasse, in which Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, is no doubt one of the city's biggest crowd-pullers. The mansion now houses the Mozart Museum, which provides visitors with a fascinating insight into the life and times of one of the world's greatest composers. Objects on display include Mozart's violins, harpsichord and piano, as well as many other objects of memorabilia.
When it opened in 1983, the Rupertinum was the only museum of modern art in Salzburg. In 2004 a museum of modern art opened its doors on top of the Mönchsberg. The Rupertinum became part of this new museum and now mainly presents modern graphic arts and photos. The Austrian photo gallery is also located there. It features a national collection of contemporary photo art.
Neue Residenz stands overlooking most of the ancient, architectural marvels of the old town of Salzburg but it still stands apart as a striking construction of the city. This magnificent building saw the reign of four Archbishops but it owes its design and planning to Wolf Dietrich. The building is a 16th-century construction which was then used as a guest house featuring a library and stately rooms, in addition to the Salzburg Glockenspiel. It also is an address to the famous Salzburg Museum. Today, Neue Residenz is a functional event venue popular for concerts and other cultural gatherings.
Arguably one of the most scenic roads in Bavaria, perhaps, all of Germany, the Rossfeld Höhenringstraße connects Berchtesgaden to various attractions such as Eagle's Nest, mountains of Hohen Göll and the Tennen and Dachsteingebirge ranges. Perched atop an altitude of more than 1600 meters (5249 feet), this gorgeous toll route offers some of the most splendid panoramas in Europe. The road is well-maintained for driving as well as hiking, in fact, many visitors to Germany prefer to hike up this magnificent mountainous path, which most likely forms one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. This region is home to several beautiful alpine meadows where you can spot flora and fauna that is typical to alpine regions. There are many restaurants, charming mountain lodges and inns to be found throughout route. If you're in Berchtesgadener Land, this is a road you must take!
Guided hikes as well as explanatory slide shows and film screenings are offered here. The museum is an educational hub that equips tourists with knowledge of the sprawling national park, allowing them to glimpse the wonders of nature that abound here. With rotating exhibitions and riveting lectures, this center makes for an interesting visit.
Remains of the non-operational Salzkammergut-Lokalbahn rail line can be found here at the SKGLB Museum. The line stretched from Salzburg right upto Bad Ischl. The museum is housed inside the engine shed and has on display a rich collection of the rail line's history, photographs, replicas of engines and even scaled layouts.
In the town of Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, the Wimbachklamm gorge is one of the most prominent attractions. Comprised mainly of limestone and featuring stunning waterfalls, the area is accessible by piers created in the 19th century, allowing visitors to embark on a short trek across the platform to admire the landscape's beauty.