Hohensalzburg Fortress: Majestic landmark over Salzburg
The Hohensalzburg Fortress towers majestically over the city and is one of the largest, fully preserved castle complexes in Europe. Built in the 11th century, it not only offers fascinating insights into the history of Salzburg, but also a breathtaking view of the old town and the surrounding mountains. The fortress is an absolute highlight for history buffs and visitors to Salzburg.
Short info:
- What is special about the fortress? The Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest castles in Europe. The well-preserved medieval fortress sits on a hill above the city Salzburg and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
- Where is the fortress? In the middle of Salzburg, address: Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg
- When is it open? All year round. Here you will find all times.
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Here you will find all entrance feesWe recommend the all-inclusive ticket with the fortress railway. Salzburg Card is Entry is free once. Entry to the outdoor area is free for residents of the state of Salzburg.
- How do you get up to the castle? On foot about 20 minutes. The fortress train runs every 10 minutes
- How much time should I plan for? 1-2 hours
Generally
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is an impressive medieval fortress that stands majestically on a hill above the city of Mozart. It is one of the largest castles in Europe and was built in the 11th century. The fortress offers a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding landscape. With more than a million visitors every year, Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the most famous and most visited landmarks in Austria. It takes about 20 minutes to walk up the sometimes quite steep path. By train it only takes about 1 minute, but costs a little more than 4€.
The story
The Hohensalzburg Fortress was built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg and has since undergone numerous extensions and reconstructions. The ring wall around the castle was renewed during the period of the first peasant unrest and the first threat from the Turks in 1465–1485 and reinforced around 1500 by Leonhard von Keutschach. Paris Lodron expanded the medieval castle into a fortress by adding a strong outer ring of artillery bastions.
Over the centuries, the fortress became an important military base and was also used as the residence of the Salzburg archbishops. The fortress played a significant role in the history of the city and was also of strategic importance in both world wars. The fortress is one of the largest castles in Europe, with over 7,000 m² of built-up area, including the bastions with over 14,000 m².
The castle today
Today, Hohensalzburg Fortress is a popular tourist destination and an important cultural site. Visitors can reach the fortress either on foot or by cable car. The fortress offers stunning views of the city of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains.
Tip: especially in the evening you have a wonderful view of the old town.
There are a variety of sights and attractions to discover in Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Here are some of the most important ones:
castle museum
In the castle museum, visitors can admire a large collection of historical exhibits that tell the story of the fortress and the city of Salzburg. There are medieval armor, weapons and tools on display.
Prince's Room
The Prince's Rooms are the luxurious living quarters of the Archbishops of Salzburg and offer an insight into the lifestyle of the rich and powerful rulers.
Rainer Regiment Exhibition
This exhibition shows the everyday life of the soldiers in the Rainer Regiment during the 19th century. Visitors can see historical uniforms, weapons and other equipment.
weapons exhibition
In the weapons exhibition, visitors can admire an impressive collection of historical weapons and armor from different eras.
fortress concerts
The fortress concerts are a highlight for music lovers. In the fortress's Golden Hall, visitors can enjoy classical music pieces by Mozart and other famous composers.
torture chamber
The torture chamber displays some of the cruel tools used to torture prisoners during the Middle Ages.
We recommend that every visitor take their time and explore the fortress and its attractions thoroughly. 2 hours should be enough.
On the castle’s homepage you will also find various options for guided tours as well as various events.
In summary, Hohensalzburg Fortress is an important cultural site and a popular tourist destination. The fortress offers an insight into the history of the city of Salzburg and the region. There are several points where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
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