The Hills are Alive... with The Sound of Music!

27th November 2014

Our first full day in Salzburg began with a nice walk through the city to the Mirabell Palace. Built in 1606, originally for a Prince’s mistress, it was rebuilt in 1710, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site but more importantly, it features in The Sound of Music! The one and only Julie Andrews pranced through these gardens with a pack of children dressed in curtains. As you can see, I was very excited to be here!

 From here we set off to explore the upper old town. Our goal was to reach the Kapuzinerkloster Monastery and after a few wrong turns and dead ends, we made it. The monastery wasn’t overly exciting but the view was pretty impressive. On the way back down we stumbled upon another little gem - the home of Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote the lyrics to Silent Night.

After crossing the Salzach River via the Markartsteg bridge, which is full of love locks,  we headed to the Funicular which was built in around 1515, and is the oldest operating railway in the world. This “little train that could” saved me a very steep walk and took us to the Festung Hohensalzburg, or as I like to call it, the Salzburg Fortress. This fortress has been around since 1077, has never been overtaken and has some brilliant views.

When we were all fortressed out we walked back down to town and called in at St Peter’s Cemetery which dates back to 700, and even has a headstone from 1288! Fun fact; you don’t buy a plot in the cemetery, you rent it. Your relatives act as the caretakers and every ten years they must pay the rent - if they don’t pay, they literally chuck you out.

 We spent the rest of the evening walking around Salzburg and after a not very traditional (but very delicious) burger we went to Cafe Tomaselli, a beautiful cafe where Mozart used to hang out! We had seen the Tripadvisor reviews so we were well prepared for the ordering system - a lady comes around with a cake tray, you pick your cake, pay her and then wait for your waiter who takes your drinks order and gives you another bill. The cafe was full of locals and they serve a delicious and very fancy looking hot chocolate. If you’re ever in Salzburg I would definitely recommend it.

Another thing I would definitely recommend - wrapping up warm, walking around the Christmas markets, listening to the carol singers, going back to your hotel, getting cosy and watching Game of Thrones in bed, which is exactly what I did.