On Easter Sunday, my friend and I ventured out of Germany; we didn't go very far but we didn't need to, because there was the pretty Austrian city of Salzburg right at Germany's doorstep! In fact, out of our 2-hour train trip from Munich to Salzburg, only the last 4 minutes were in Austria. But I only realised this when I finally managed to find the border on the inbound trip. If you ever get to travel this train trip, you should play this 'spot the border' game too!
Salzburg is close to Germany and Austrians speak German too, but Salzburg is distinct from Germany. Anyone who's been to Italy could probably not help thinking that this place is like an Italian town of sorts. That's because the archibishops who ruled Salzburg in the past liked everyting Italian for their buildings and design. It's no surprise if you find that the view of Salzburg from the nearby hills (see my photos) is somewhat reminiscent of Florence or Pisa (to my mind, anyway). For those who know Italy well, perhaps we can play another game of 'Which Italian city looks most alike to Salzburg?'
My friend and I didn't spend a lot of time in Salzburg and just explored the 'Old Town' (Altstadt) part of the city. We went up to the Hohensalzberg Fortress built on a hill right in Old Town overlooking the whole city. It was built by one of the archbishops to defend himself from any attacks by supporters of a German Emporer in 1077, and he's certainly chosen the best spot because it offers the best vantage point of the whole city. These days it's the turn of ordinary folks, like my friend and me, to enjoy the view and a restaurant meal against the scenic backdrop!
A day isn't really enough for Salzburg, and I can't wait to visit again. You'll definitely see a second (or even more) blog on Salzburg in the future.
City Views
Top left: A normal street in Salzburg city (Weiserstrasse); Above: St. Andrew's Church; Left: Salzburg likes to celebrate its place in the world of music ...
Altstadt (Old Town)
Left: One of the entrances to Altstadt (looks like Pisa, doesn't it?)
Right: A laneway in Altstadt (Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse)
Left: The Residenz Square with the clock tower and the Dome Cathedral on the left and right
Right: The fountain in Residenz Square
The Dome Cathedral (left) and the statues at its entrance (right)
The Neptune Fountain - or what I call 'one-third of Trevi in Rome' (even the official guide of Salzburg admits the similarity in style!)
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Fortress viewed from the Altstadt (left) and vice versa (right)
The buildings within the Fortress
Tourists, tourists ...
Visit Salzburg before it's reduced to rubbles!
Mirabell Garden (of the Baroque Museum)
River Salzach
Forget the archbishops of the past, this devil now rules Salzburg!
Salzburg is close to Germany and Austrians speak German too, but Salzburg is distinct from Germany. Anyone who's been to Italy could probably not help thinking that this place is like an Italian town of sorts. That's because the archibishops who ruled Salzburg in the past liked everyting Italian for their buildings and design. It's no surprise if you find that the view of Salzburg from the nearby hills (see my photos) is somewhat reminiscent of Florence or Pisa (to my mind, anyway). For those who know Italy well, perhaps we can play another game of 'Which Italian city looks most alike to Salzburg?'
My friend and I didn't spend a lot of time in Salzburg and just explored the 'Old Town' (Altstadt) part of the city. We went up to the Hohensalzberg Fortress built on a hill right in Old Town overlooking the whole city. It was built by one of the archbishops to defend himself from any attacks by supporters of a German Emporer in 1077, and he's certainly chosen the best spot because it offers the best vantage point of the whole city. These days it's the turn of ordinary folks, like my friend and me, to enjoy the view and a restaurant meal against the scenic backdrop!
A day isn't really enough for Salzburg, and I can't wait to visit again. You'll definitely see a second (or even more) blog on Salzburg in the future.
City Views
Top left: A normal street in Salzburg city (Weiserstrasse); Above: St. Andrew's Church; Left: Salzburg likes to celebrate its place in the world of music ...Altstadt (Old Town)
Left: One of the entrances to Altstadt (looks like Pisa, doesn't it?)Right: A laneway in Altstadt (Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse)
Left: The Residenz Square with the clock tower and the Dome Cathedral on the left and right
Right: The fountain in Residenz Square
The Dome Cathedral (left) and the statues at its entrance (right)
The Neptune Fountain - or what I call 'one-third of Trevi in Rome' (even the official guide of Salzburg admits the similarity in style!)Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Fortress viewed from the Altstadt (left) and vice versa (right)
The buildings within the Fortress
Tourists, tourists ...
Visit Salzburg before it's reduced to rubbles!Mirabell Garden (of the Baroque Museum)
River Salzach
Forget the archbishops of the past, this devil now rules Salzburg!
Comments
Great to see you are going to go back to Salzburg. It is one of my favourite cities in Europe.
I strongly recommend you visit the Augustiner monastry beer hall, over on the western side of the city. You walk down past lots of religious statues into beer halls filled with locals. Shelves for personal steins, great beer, europe's best beer garden in summer.
One of my favourite places in europe.
Great to hear you made it out of the lab and out of Germany: Europe is your oyster at the moment! So much travelling ahead of you. Make sure you make it to Norway!!! Easier from your current vantage point. Especially during summer. And Innsbruck! It's not too far from Salzburg I gather.
How I regret not going to Salzburg!
I am still awaiting a closer description of that pancake thing from last post. Yes, I am going to make it and I will take photos if I do :-)