A Trip To Austria

Festung Hohensalzburg

Festung Hohensalzburg overlooking Altstadt

The Festung Hohensalzburg dominates the skyline of Salzburg. Towering over Altstadt, the fortress sprawls the high-ground of Monchsberg. Parts of the fortress were built beginning in 1077 A.D. by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. The Prince-Archbishops occupied the fortress until the 15th Century, at that time they relocated to the Residenz, a palatial estate adjacent to the Dom in Altstadt.

Festung Hohensalzburg today can be accessed via the Festungsbahn funicular or by foot from several locations in the old city. The walk is quite steep, we managed it twice during our stay. The fortress offers fantastic views of the city and surrounding area, definitely, worth the effort!!

Festung Hohensalzburg Cannon overlooking Altstadt
For many the fortress tour is the focal point of a visit to Salzburg. Also housed within the fortress and included with admission and tour is a marionette museum and the Rainer Regiment Museum. The fortress also contains several private residences, a coffe shop and restaurant.

The residents of the city fought with the Nazis in World War II and against the Russians in World War I. The Rainer Regiment contains memorabilia from those conflicts. Interestingly, we found the name of a Dr. Alfred Gartner listed as a casualty of the Rainer Regiment in World War I. We did find the name "Gartner" in other circumstances throughout this region.

Festung Hohensalzburg Marionette Museum Festung Hohensalzburg Museum
Introduction | Salzburg | Hohensalzburg | The Dom and Beyond | The Mountains | Salzburg College
Mozart | Sound of Music | Munich
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