Quick Info:
- What is Mirabell Palace & Mirabell Gardens? A historic palace in Salzburg known for its baroque architecture and the Mirabell Gardens, a magnificent garden featuring numerous sculptures and flower beds.
- Where is Mirabell Palace located? Mirabellplatz 4, 5020 Salzburg.
- What is housed in Mirabell Palace today? The offices of the Salzburg Mayor and city administration.
- Can you visit the palace? Only the Marble Hall and the Baroque Staircase.
- Can you enter the Mirabell Gardens? Yes, it is freely accessible.
- What are the opening hours? Opening hours for the palace and gardens are provided below in the description.
- How much is the admission fee? Admission to the palace and gardens is free!
Mirabell Palace
Many visitors to Mirabell Gardens notice that the palace is also open to visitors. While the garden is bustling with tourists, we are the only ones going into the palace during our visit. The name “Mirabell” is an Italian given name, composed of the words “mirabile” for “admirable” and “bella” for “beautiful.”
First, you ascend the beautiful Baroque staircase. The “Angel Staircase” leads directly to the Marble Hall.
The Marble Hall, once the magnificent banquet hall of the Archbishop, is now considered one of the “most wonderful places for weddings worldwide.” Leopold Mozart and his children Wolfgang and Nannerl once performed music here. Today, it hosts weddings, conferences, and honors. The Marble Hall is also the stage for the enchanting Mirabell Palace Concerts.
Mirabell Palace has a rich history. It currently houses the offices of the Salzburg Mayor and city administration, and as such, cannot be toured.
Opening hours for Mirabell Palace and the Baroque Staircase (also known as the Angel Staircase) are daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Marble Hall is open on the following days: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that visits may not be possible during special events.
Mirabell Gardens
are a baroque pleasure garden in the midst of the city of Salzburg. It’s much more bustling here.
Mirabell Gardens were redesigned around 1690 under Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun. Its characteristic geometric layout, typical of the Baroque era, is still visible today. The garden’s orientation toward the cathedral and fortress gives it an impressive effect, seamlessly integrating it into the historic cityscape.
Highlights of the garden:
- The Palace Chapel was consecrated to St. John Nepomuk in 1726 and has been the church of the Old Catholics since 1921.
- The Pegasus Fountain with the Pegasus horse sculpture is a work by Kaspar Gras from Innsbruck and was installed in 1913. Around the fountain, there are four groups of figures created by Ottavio Mosto in 1690, representing the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water.
- The Hedge Theater is located in the western part of Mirabell Gardens and is one of the oldest hedge theaters north of the Alps. Traditional events take place here in the summer.
- The Dwarf Garden dates back to the time of Archbishop Johann Ernst Graf Thun and originally featured 28 dwarfs (now 17) made of white Untersberg marble. It is the oldest dwarf garden in Europe.
- The Rose Garden with its flower beds full of decorative roses is located directly south of Mirabell Palace.
- The Orangery is now used as a palm house.
Mirabell Gardens as a Famous Film Location
Mirabell Gardens, along with the Felsenreitschule and Stift Nonnberg, is one of the most prominent settings in the famous Hollywood musical “The Sound of Music.” In the film, Maria and the children dance around the Pegasus Fountain in front of the palace and sing the song “Do-Re-Mi.” At the end of this scene, the von Trapp family lines up on the steps in front of the Rose Hill for the grand finale.
Garden Opening Hours:
Mirabell Gardens are open daily from about 6 a.m. until dusk. There may be partial closures in winter.
The Hedge Theater is closed during the winter months.
The Orangery is open year-round and accessible daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Dwarf Garden remains closed during the winter months.
Tip:
On the park side opposite the palace, you’ll find the Theatercafe Salzburg, a very pleasant and shaded beer garden with reasonably priced drinks. From the tables, you have a beautiful view of the garden. Perfect for relaxing between visits.