Travel to Austria

Neue Universität

Every building designed by the architect Hans Hollein seems a bit too manneristic and representative for the tasks of a modern building. There are discussions about this every time Hollein designs a building in Austria. A wonderful example of the dissension of representation, the fondness for big dimensions and the claims of users is the Science Faculty, constructed in the 1980's and quickly dubbed 'Hitler's Palmhouse'. This can be reached in about half an hour from the city centre on foot. Extremely nice recreation area around the building.

Salzburger Glockenspiel

When the weather is fine it's nice to have a coffee, or even better some Campari, sitting on the terrace of the famous Cafe Glockenspiel or in the large neighbouring garden, situated on Mozartplatz, to hear (punctually at 7.00 a, 11.00 a and 6.00 p) the tender sound of a clockwork. The melody changes every month. 35 bells - hidden in the tower of the so-called New Building of the Residenz (the smallest bell weighs 16 kg the largest one 380 kg) are part of this toy of a powerful man.

Markus-Kirche

This church is situated at the end of the Gstättengasse, which leads to the Ursulinenplatz. The church was built for the Ursuline Convent (1699-1705) after more than 200 people died in the Gstättengasse because of the Rock Fall of 1699. The convent has now been secularised and is home to some of the Salzburg Federal Diet's departments and the House of Nature. The building itself was designed according to plans sketched by Fischer von Erlach and the baroque church's pulpit was also designed by him.

Altes Mozarteum

This building was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum. Today, it is mainly used by the Mozarteum music academy. There are teaching and practice rooms and two concert halls. In the 'Großer Saal' (large concert hall) concerts with international performers are often held. In the second half of January there are the concerts that are part the 'Mozartwoche' (Mozart week). If you want to visit this building be discreet.

Residenzplatz / Residenzbrunnen

The huge baroque-style fountain in the centre of the huge square in front of the Residence could be seen as a metaphor for the dimension of the archbishops' power in local politics. One of them, Wolf Dietrich, gave this part its chief traits. Around 1660 the monumental fountain was erected after the cathedral cemetery and a few houses had been razed to get enough space for the huge project. The sculptures of the fountain are said to have been created by the same artist who sculpted the figures for the Cathedral facade. Anyway, this is a wonderful place to view the heart of Salzburg.

Tiergarten Hellbrunn

Situated just to the south of Schlosspark Hellbrunn, Hellbrunn Zoo contains a variety of animals from all over the world. The main attraction are the wild vultures which are free to fly around but continually return to the zoo to be fed. Another highlight is the cheetahs' feeding time, whereby the cheetahs have to catch a piece of meat being propelled along the ground at a speed of 35 mph. On certain occasions the zoo is open after dark to enable visitors to observe the nocturnal animals (visitors should call the zoo for details).

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum der Moderne Salzburg Mönchsberg Art in one point of interest you must visit if you are an art junkie visiting Salzburg. The museum opened on October 23, 2004, and since then has presented contemporary art. The museum represents a sensitive dovetailing of the urban landscape. There is a free tour each Wednesday at 6:30p. Tours for "Vision of a collection", "Ernst Haas - A World in Ruins: Vienna 1945 - 48" and "Metropolis - The image of the City" have taken place here

Mirabellgarten

The visitors will delight in taking a walk through the magical gardens surrounding Schloss Mirabell, a fantastic pleasure palace erected by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich in 1606. The park contains a stunning array of fountains, statues, balustrades and trees, and presents a kaleidoscope of colours which will take the breath away. Everyday life seems to melt into the background when faced with mythical figures like Helena and Paris, Hercules and Antaeus, Persephone and Hades, Kronos and Bacchus. Admission is free.

Neue Hofburg

The Neue Hofburg, or The New Palace, is the largest and newest part of the Imperial Palace. The Ethnological Museum and three branches of the Museum of Fine Arts are in the Neue Hofburg, but the main attraction is the Collection of Arms, the second largest in the world, featuring an impressive collection of weaponry from past centuries.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

This castle is one of the highlights of Salzburg and offers breath taking views of the city. Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest, fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. The castle features a tower, torture chambers and impressive state rooms. If you take the guided tour you get to see parts of the castle which are out of bounds to other visitors. Admission prices have different options including return funicular fare, entrance only, and entrance to the fortress, castle and museum. Built in 1077 and altered to its present form in the 16th century, the Hohensalzburg Fortress gives away an air of both calm beauty and impregnability. It has little history as it was never attacked and only occupied once when it was surrendered to Napoleon without a fight. Prior to that, it served as a refuge for the Salzburg Prince-Archbishops who took pride in its generous expansion with their rich profits from the salt and gold mines. At other times during its life the fortress was utilized as a military barracks and a prison. In your whey down you will get to  walk and took the steep roadway built for horses and pedestrians of a different era. What a magical place indeed.