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Salzburg - This page is for the city of Salzburg. For the surrounding state of Salzburg, see: Salzburg (state)
Salzburg (population 145,000 in 2003) is a city in western Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg (population 520,000 in 2003). The geographic coordinates of Salzburg are 47.81 degrees north, 13.04 degrees east. The city is well-known for its baroque architecture, extensive history, and as a gateway to the Alps. Setting The city is located on the banks of the Salzach river, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The backdrop of mountains to the south contrasts with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak - the 1972m Untersberg - is only a few kilometers from the city center. The inner city, or old town, is dominated by its baroque towers and many churches. This area is surrounded by two smaller mountains, the Mnchsberg and Kapuzinerberg. The city is approximately 150km east of Munich, and 300km west of Vienna. History The first settlements at Salzburg were apparently begun by the Celts. Around 700, the Roman Empire founded Juvavum on the site of modern-day Salzburg. Juvavum was an important town of the Roman province of Noricum. A Roman Catholic diocese was formed in the town, which later became an archdiocese responsible for Bavaria. The economic wealth of the town during this time was based on salt-mining. The salz in the town's name is the German word for salt. The town's river was a main artery for transporting salt mined in nearby mountains. Until 1803, the Archbishop of Salzburg was the ruler of the city and the surrounding territory. Successive archbishop princes moulded the town, with the most influential being Wolf Dietrich who was largely responsible for the shape of the city today. His influence saw the creation of the towering Salzburg cathedral, the Mirabell Garden, and other landmarks. During World War II, the city was lucky not to sustain heavy damage from Allied bombing runs. The towns bridges and the dome of the cathedral were demolished, however much of the town's baroque architecture remained intact. As a result, it is one of the few remaining examples of a town of its style. In 1965, the movie The Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg and the state of Salzburg. The movie was based on the true story of Maria von Trapp, a Salzburg-based nun who took up with an aristocratic family and fled German occupation. Although the film is relatively unknown to Austrians, the town draws a large percentage of visitors who wish to relive the movie by visiting the filming locations. Notable Citizens - The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and raised in Salzburg. His house of birth and residence are popular tourist attractions. His family is buried in a small church graveyard in the old town, and there are many monuments to "Wolferl" in the city.
- Salzburg is also the birthplace of Hans Makart, a 19th century Austrian painter-decorator and national celebrity. Makartplatz (Makart Square) is named in his honour.
Events - The Europrix multimedia award takes place in Salzburg.
Tourist Attractions Salzburg is considered a tourist favourite, with the number of tourists outnumbering locals by a large margin in peak times. - Skiing is a key attraction during Winter. Salzburg itself has no skiing facilities, but it acts as a gateway to many skiing areas to the south. During the Winter months its airport receives a huge number of charter flights from around Europe.
- The Untersberg is next to the city, straddling the German-Austrian border, and on a clear day provides panoramic views of the city and the Alps.
Transport The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zrich; including twice-daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. The Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to key European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Amsterdam and Zrich. The majority of flights, however, are charter flights. External links - Stadt Salzburg - Official government website.
- Salzburger Nachrichten - the daily newspaper.
- Salzburg 2014 - 2014 Olympic bid website
- SALZBURGnet - Very extensive information page to the city Salzburg, the country Salzburg and the Salzkammergut (Lake District).
- http://www.salzburg-night.at/multilingual.asp?lan=en, restaurant guide and event calendar
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