Salzburg
is one of the more prominent cities in Austria and is the administrative
Capital of the Salzburg Federal State. The City is rich in history
and culture and is regarded as one of the most enticing Cities
to visit on the European Continent. Salzburg is mostly famed for
being the birthplace of the famous music composer Wolfgang Mozart.
There are a number of monuments erected around town in his honor
and his home is open for public tours. The town also gained substantial
fame around the world following the success of the Movie; “The
Sound of Music”, which was filmed here.
A short history:
Founded in the early 11th Century, Salzburg remained
an independent City-State ruled by a succession of Archbishops
until 1816 when it was integrated into the then Austrian Empire.
Tourism in Salzburg:
Salzburg has a thriving tourism industry and
during peak periods, the Salzburg Airport is usually abuzz
with frequent flights bringing tourists visiting the nearby
ski resorts or other attractions.
Major tourist attractions in and near Salzburg
are;
Eisriesenwelt:
Situated near the village of Werfen about 40
km from Salzburg City, the Eisriesenwelt is one of Austria’s
leading tourist attractions and a marvel of Mother Nature.
Discovered in 1879 it is the largest ice cave in the world.
Ski and winter resorts;
There are many winter and ski resorts within
easy reach from Salzburg. The City is a major arrival point
for visitors to these resorts mainly via the Salzburg Airport.
There are numerous Ski Resorts to select from and it is usually
a matter of personal preference.
The Salzburg Festival:
The Salzburg festival is a popular celebration
of music and performing arts held each year between June and
August for five weeks. The festival especially celebrates the
works of Mozart and other prominent composers; drawing many
participants to Salzburg. The festival has been celebrated
for almost a century and is drawn from the Salzburg Music Festival
which began in 1877.