Austria
Salzburg
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Welcome to Salzburg, Austria — a beautiful city of domes and spires beneath the Alps, watched over by a giant fortress and famous as the birthplace of composer Mozart.
Why is it famous?
It's the birthplace of the world-famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born here in 1756.
The city is also famous as the real-life setting for much of the movie The Sound of Music.
How was it built?
Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched on a hill above the city, was first built in 1077 and expanded over centuries into one of Europe's largest medieval castles.
The old town below grew up along the Salzach River, filled with baroque domes, churches, and colorful buildings.
Amazing facts
The fortress stretches 250 meters (820 feet) long and sits 120 meters (400 feet) above the city.
A funicular railway carries visitors up to the fortress in just a couple of minutes.
Quick facts
- The fortress stretches 250 meters (820 feet) long and sits 120 meters (400 feet) above the city.
- A funicular railway carries visitors up to the fortress in just a couple of minutes.
- Mozart wrote some of his very first musical pieces while living in Salzburg as a child.
- The Mirabell Gardens, where a famous singing scene from The Sound of Music was filmed, are open for anyone to visit.