Best Historic Locations in Salzburg

The Festunberg lies in the Northern Limestone Alps, and more specifically the Berchtesgaden range’s northern rim. Now situated in the town of Salzburg, the mountain has evidence of settlements which date back to the Iron Age. The hill is known for the medieval castle of Hohensalzburg, which was built in the 11th Century and is the one of the largest such structures in Europe. The Nonnberg Abbey and Archbishop Gernhard’s castle are other significant structures on the hill.

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.

Situated by the banks of the river Salzach, Schloss Mirabell is one of the finest medieval structures in the city. A classic example of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, this building is known to have been the residence of prominent aristocrats, including King Otto of Greece. The palace is surrounded by beautiful, geometrically-shaped gardens which house sculptures and statues of characters form Greek mythology.

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 area around Getreidegasse, Judengasse, and the Alter Markt dates back to the 12th Century. The buildings were lived in, as well as being sites for trade and commerce. In the 15th Century, development of this burghers' quarter was pretty much finished. The Old Townhall is situated where Getreidegasse and Judengasse are separated by the Kranzlmarkt. Built around 1400, the building was acquired by the city government some years later. Many changes and additions have been made since then. The marble portal dates from about 1600, its present appearance mainly dates back to the end of the 18th Century.

In the 19th century, beautiful, very well-preserved 11th century Roman frescos were found here.