SALZBURG’S MEDIEVAL CASTLE
A real eye-catching 11th century Baroque castle which is the most attractive among the beautiful sights of Salzburg. It is one of the largest mediaeval castles of Europe and also the largest preserved fortress of central Europe. It attracts visitors with a 360-degree impressive view of Salzburg city and its surroundings. It is a must see sight.
Brief history of the Fortress
This colossal monument is a remarkable indication of the demand for recognition expressed by the prince bishops and a sign of their political power and influence.The fortresses were designed to defend the prince from enemy attack. The fortress, in fact, has never faced a real siege. The Prince’s Bishops resided most of the time in the palace which is in the centre of the city ‘Residenzplatz’. The most amazing fact about this fortress is in all these years it has never been taken by foreign troops.
In 1077, under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein, building of the fortress began and it was renovated in the late 19th century. In 1892, with the opening of Festungsbahn funicular train , the fortress became a popular attraction for tourists. It was used as a prison during the early 20th century, housing Italian prisoners of war during World War I and Nazi activists until the invasion of Austria by Germany in March 1938.
Explore Hohensalzburg Castle
In 1892, with the opening of Festungsbahn funicular train the fortress became a popular attraction for tourists. The funicular transports take visitors up to the castle. However, you can go up by walking also which will provide a nice and serene hilly view. The view from the fortress was breathtaking as you can see in the picture . That was a perfect sunny day which gave a clear view of the Alps and the whole city.
What to do in Hohensalzburg Castle
Visiting Hohensalzburg Castle, is a unique experience that offers a glimpse into the history and culture of Salzburg. The fortress, which was built in the 11th century, sits on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
There are several things to do at the Hohensalzburg Castle), such as:
-Take a guided tour: Learn about the history of the fortress and the city of Salzburg through a guided tour.
-Enjoy the views: From the fortress, you can see beautiful panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains.
-Visit the Marionette Museum: The fortress has a Marionette Museum which showcases the traditional puppetry art form of Salzburg.
-Listen to a concert: The fortress is home to the Salzburg Fortress Concerts, which take place in the Golden Hall and feature classical music performances.
-Visit the Museum of the Fortress: The fortress has a museum that displays the history, culture, and traditions of the fortress and the city of Salzburg.
-Take the Funicular: You can also take a funicular up to the fortress, which offers stunning views of the city.
