DAY 100 - Mozart & the Sound of Music (Part 1)

June 27 -  Salzburg:  Our 1/2-way Mark

Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) has internationally renowned Baroque architecure and one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps.  Host to three universities and a large population of students, Salzburg is noted for its attractive setting and scenic Alpine backdrop.

Historic Center of Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer (my favorite) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  In the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for parts of my favorite musical The Sound of Music.  At first I could think of no other reasons to even go to Salzburg, so my attention focused on those two topics, but I soon found out there were many more reasons to see this area of Austria.

Julie Andrews stars in this classic of 1965.

 The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and displaced Gone With the Wind as the highest-grossing film of all-time.  It made a big impact in my life when we went to see it as a family on the big screen at the age of 13.  In 1978, I portrayed the role of Maria while a young mother in Denver, Colorado.  We did around two dozen performances in two month's time period.  Nearly 50 years later, I still sing every song and have seen around 10 live performances of it and I stopped counting how many re-runs I have seen on TV and DVD.  One of my daughters gave me a special 50th year collection with all kinds of footage, booklets, memorabilia, etc. for Christmas this past year.  I will treasure that forever.  :)

The Anschluss (the occupation and annexation of Austria, including Salzburg, into German Third Reich)  took place the 12^th of March 1938, one day before a scheduled referendum about Austria's independence. German troops were moved to the city. Political opponents, Jewish citizens, and other minorities were arrested and deported. The synagogue was destroyed and several POW camps for prisoners from the Soviet Union and other nations were organized in the area.  Nearly 50% of the city was destroyed, especially around Salzburg train station. Although the town's bridges and the dome of the cathedral were demolished, much of its Baroque architecture remained intact. As a result, it is one of the few remaining examples of a town of its style.

The first thing we did when we walked into the city was to go window shopping (without buying anything).  Each city is always so different.

Petrushka Dolls - you see them everywhere; not just in Russia.  I had never seen so many until here.

I LOVE gummies....this store had everything made out of gummies.

Interesting shapes and things made out of bread.

 Many shops are only for Mozart souvenirs

Feeling kinda 'sassy' today!

 We wandered into the most beautiful cemetery nestled by the rocky hillside of the castle we were about to go up into.  I think it would be nice to be buried here someday.  :)

                                                 

                                                 

We purchased a Salzburg card and tried to do as much as we could in two days.  First we took the funicular up to the top of the mountain to see Hohensalzburg Castle which overlooks the Old Towne.  It is one of the biggest castles in all of Europe.

The Castle in the distance from Mirabell Gardens

During the early 20th century it was used as a prison, holding Italian prisoners of war during WWI and Nazi activists (before the Anschluss with Germany) in the 1930s.

Dating from 1077 A.D., Salzburg’s fortress was never conquered and serves today as one of the largest fully preserved castle complexes in Europe.

Having fun on the funicular - going up to see Hohensalzburg Castle

Some scenery from on top - one lone house in the middle

Oh boy - another fortress and another castle - love 'em!

Love these panoramas of the city

Beautiful view of Salzburg on the Salzach River

We're getting pretty good at taking these photos of ourselves.

Inside the fortress of the Castle

Majestic Austrian Alps in the background.

Oh to have been a princess ...I would look at these mountains every day.

Could it be a more beautiful  day today?

This is OLD.

Gothic wood-carvings and ornamental paintings decorate the Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber till today.

From inside the castle there are still weapons that were used from years ago.

Some of the old ruins of the castle

 We went to the Marionette Museum inside the castle - amazing puppets and how they made them

Rich thought this would scare me when I opened the door, but I had seen someone else do it - I was prepared, but it was still really cute.

"The hills are alive with the sound of music."

Such a nice background with the Alps and the Flag of Austria

We explored state rooms formerly belonging  to the influential archbishops.  There were medieval rooms, a romantic courtyard, bastions, and plenty of paintings and history.  I let my imagination get away from me.

A painting from a scene in WWI

Encasement of various soldier uniforms through the ages

An old telegraph from one of the wars

Looks like an old well - do you think?

Our host played piano very well.  We had a nice evening sharing music.

He gave up his own bedroom so that he could couch-surf" in his own flat.   What a nice guy!

 We'll go to Salzburg again tomorrow and take you to more of the Sound of Music sites.