AUSTRIA SALZBURG

Salzburg, referred to by its inhabitants as  "The Austrian Rome ", a city protected by gods and haunted by muses (Mozart's  birthplace, principality of the Holy Roman Empire), is remarkably located on both geographic and geostrategic points of view. Any lane from the Old City drives our paths to a palace, a church, a sculpted fountain, or to a posh and crowded coffee-shop one can only find here in Austria. Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, perfect illustration of the Renaissance aesthete and maecenas, wished to make his beloved Salzburg the "Rome of the North". He was about to complete his plans, but allowed his successor Marcus Sitticus  to transform into reality his strong desire to build the largest Cathedral (DOM)   in the whole region. It had been inaugurated by the highly respected Prince-Archbishop Paris-Lodron  in 1655, whose palace called Residenz stands in a vis-a-vis. This is where Frantz Josef welcomed Napoleon III, in 1871. On the Domplatz, one can also have a look at the interesting Dommuseum : displaying both Prince-Archbishop's Art Collection and Dom Treasure.

Kaigasse climbs up to the Hohensalzburg: erected at the altitude of 120 meters in the XIth century, it had been permanently enlarged till the XVth century. It became then the residence of the Princes-Archbishops, in permanent conflict with their geographically dominated neighbours: the Princes of Bayern. From the Kuenburg Bastion, on the northern part of the fortress, the panaroma is definitely amazing. A cable-car connects the Hohensalzburg to the St Peter's Church and Cemetery (Petersfriedhof). Originally, the church used to be a roman basilica. Remodelled in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, it is now one of the most remarkable religious landmarks in Salzburg; sharing that fame with the Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche), which is located a few meters away. At the foot of the Monchsberg, the most illustrious families from Salzburg rest in peace in the Catacombs. Dispised by the patrician society, Mozart was not allowed to have his grave here: a strong conflict with Prince-Archbishop Jerome Colloredo had exiled him to Vienna. He died in the capital city of Austria on December 6^th 1791, and was burried in the poorest section of the St Mark Cemetery. His birthplace (Mozarts Gebursthaus) is open to visitors on Getreidegasse 9: may the Japanese tourists standing in queue in front of the landmark allow you to reach the cashier! If not, just forget about Mozart, and take a walk along the famous Getreidegasse: the Old Salzburg?s main street is a baroque succession of shops displaying either luxurious or traditional clothes (both are quite expensive, but extremely elegant and well manufactured), hotels and restaurants (the most famous being the Goldener Hirsch). Antique and modern shop-signs are part of its picturesque aspect.   

Two hundred meters away, on Gstattengasse, a lift goes up to the top of the Monchsberg; there you find a beautiful national park, in the heart of the city ! Let's have a drink at Cafe Winkler, or just bet a few shillings at the casino. If you are not a gambler, spend your money in just as momentary if not more pleasant way, enjoying gourmet specialities at the Schloss Monchstein: its restaurant Paris Lodron is one of the best in town, recommended for its game and regional cuisine.On the right bank of the river Salzach stands the Schloss Mirabell and its splendid Gardens : the comfy Hotel Sheraton Salzburg offers it as a park to its distinguished and fortunate guests ! The Linzer Gasse is the main street of the "modern" part of the city: this shopping area is also famous for its coffee-shops, which are cheaper and less exclusive than those on Getreidegasse. This is where you will meet and socialise with the authentic Salzburger. Friendly and talkative, these fortunate locals will surprise you by the depth of their culture. On the same right bank, on Schwartzstrasse, you may want to listen to a concert at the Mozarteum. Along with the Landestheater, SchloB Mirabell, Puppets Theater and, last but not least, with the Festspielhaus (on the left bank), this is one of the venues for the world famous Salzburg Festival which, every month of August, brings even more prestige and animation to the city. Please understand that this is one of the most glamourous -and most expensive !- music festivals in the world: a seat for a premiere is worth platinium, while hotels and restaurants treat their rates and bills with the same energy Mozart raised his baton with in creating the melodies heard here...