Salzburg: The city of Mozart and the Austrian archbishops

Salzburg, literally "fortress of salt", is the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Independent for a long time, it only became part of Austria in 1816, after having been part of Bavaria for six years. So for a long time, it was part of the Holy Roman Empire!

That's why Salzburg has seen the construction of numerous monuments synonymous with the power of the prince-archbishops. It's no coincidence that Salzburg is known as the "Rome of the North". This title is also due to certain privileges: the Archbishop of Salzburg, like the Pope, had the power to appoint the bishops of his four bishoprics himself. And until 1806, he reigned over the second largest ecclesiastical state in the world. The residence of the prince archbishops in Salzburg, renovated in 2016 under the name Dom Quartier, is a monumental architectural ensemble bearing witness to this sumptuous power. Today, it houses fascinating museums (ceremonial rooms, painting gallery, including the famous painting by Rembrandt known as "The Praying Mother"), all linked to the cathedral (known as the Dome).

The Domquartier 's grandiose appearance contrasts sharply with the small middle-class streets, such as Greteidegasse (Sign Street). Located in the old town (itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the alleyway is famous for its many wrought-iron signs. They do not all date from the same period, but are all designed in the same style. The McDonald's branch is no exception - it has a lovely one, as does Zara! As well as these numerous shops, Greteidegasse is also known as the street where Mozart was born in 1756.

Salzburg is therefore indelibly linked to the famous composer, and its inhabitants continue to harbour a fascination for their child prodigy. You can follow in the footsteps of Mozart, who is everywhere in the city: in Mozart Square, a superb statue of him is dedicated to him. A little further on, make a pilgrimage to the house where the composer was born, then to the Mozarteum museum, another house-museum where he later lived.

Finally, you can enjoy a Mozart dinner concert in Salzburg's oldest inn, Stiftskeller St Peter, which dates back to 803, and listen to the Christmas carol "Douce Nuit Sainte Nuit", which was composed right here. In general, classical music is still very much in evidence in Salzburg, with numerous concerts organised every year in exceptional venues such as Mirabell Castle.

On a more modern note, Salzburg is also famous for being the location for the Hollywood film The Sound of Music. Every year, according to the Salzburg tourist office, 300,000 tourists come to visit the locations where the cult scenes were filmed. These include the Mirabell Gardens, the Manège des Rochers and Leopoldskron Castle.

If you're feeling more sporty, don't forget that the town also boasts an exceptional natural setting, as it lies at the foot of the Alps. Hikers and other nature-lovers will be able to indulge in mountain sports (the presence of the funicular makes the climb much easier!). The Salzburg region is a walker's paradise, with mountain trails dotted with lakes and pretty villages. In winter, the ski slopes of Flachau are just 50 minutes away. To get a good feel for the city and its surroundings, you'll need to combine historical visits, cultural events and outdoor activities.