Austria is truly a terrific holiday destination, whether in summer or winter, with the glorious landscape of the Alps, quaint chalets, and first-rate sports resorts. At Salzburg, music, art, and architecture complement one another to achieve baroque perfection. To get a clear idea of the city, try to recall the scenes of The Sound of Music.
Another famous figure associated with Salzburg is the musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), who hails from the city. Here, the influence of Mozart is everywhere: There are Mozartplatz and Mozarteum Music Academy; his music dominates grand festivals and the more humble outpourings of street musicians alike; chocolate confections and liqueurs are even named after him.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is perhaps the best-known classical music virtuoso of all time. Mozart was only 35 when he died, yet he had composed some 626 pieces – 24 operas, 49 symphonies, over 40 concertos, 26 string quartets, seven string quintets and numerous sonatas for piano and violin. He took opera to new heights, achieving a fusion of Germanic and Italianate styles (his librettos were written in Italian and later in German).
Mozart was born in Salzburg (one of seven children) and started his career at a young age. His musician father, Leopold, taught him to play the harpsichord at age three. Two years later, Leopold gave his son a small violin, but without musical instruction. A few days later, the young Mozart asked a quartet if he could join in. The musician laughingly agreed, but were amazed when the prodigy played his part perfectly. Along with Wolfgang’s sister Nanneri (four years older and also exceptionally gifted) they toured Europe, giving recitals and receiving plaudits wherever they went. Wolfgang spent one-third of his short life on the road. At the age of six, Wolfgang performed for Empress Maria Theresa at Schonbrunn.
Although musically prolific, Mozart was a compulsive gambler and lost large sums of money playing billiards, ninepins and cards. He was also something of a ladies man – at age 24 he proclaimed, "If I had married everyone I jested with, I would have well over 200 wives." When he died of typhoid fever in December 1791, only a few attended his frugal funeral. His body was wrapped in a sack and doused with lime (in accordance with an imperial decree to prevent epidemics) before being buried in a ditch in St. Marxer Friednof (Cemetery of St. Mark) in Vienna.
It is a marvelous oasis for those seeking to be away from the usual hustle and bustle of the city, and yet its prime location also makes traipsing through the city of Salzburg accessible. Take advantage of the spa in the massage rooms and wellness center, which is indeed state of the art. Their well-trained masseuse gives guests a relaxing massage, with soothing music to boot. Naturally this hotel uses the best massage oils, lotions, and cleansing creams for their very distinguished clientele.
Another structure to check out is the vast Dom which has three bronze doors symbolizing faith, hope and charity. Constructed between 1614 and 1657, this was the first building north of the Alps to exhibit the Italian baroque style. Inside, one couldn’t help but admire the dark-edged stucco, the dome and the Romanesque font where Mozart was baptized.
A palace called Schloss Mirabell in Mirabellgarten was built by the worldly prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress, Salome Alt, in 1606. Salome bore the archbishop at least 10 children (sources disagree on the exact number – poor Wolf was presumably too distracted by spiritual matters to keep count himself). In 1727, Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt gave the building a more baroque appearance. Incidentally, its attractive gardens were featured in The Sound of Music. In fact, the gardens of the palace are the major attraction in this place since no indoor tour is allowed.
Salzburg continues to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Not at all surprising since the city quenches the thirst of tourists for soul-enriching experience. Now the question is, how do you solve the problem of many Marias who want to come back to Salzburg and enjoy over and over its pristine scenery, intricate architecture, and classical music?