Cathedral Salzburg | © DomQuartier
Salzburg - Rome of the North
A mere glance in the direction of the city clearly shows the importance and wealth of the former church state that was Salzburg. Hohensalzburg Fortress as well as the baroque palaces and churches testify to the unmatched splendor. An extended walking tour of the DomQuartier impresses both with views of the cathedral district as well as insights into the wealth of the prince-archbishops.
The baroque Soul of the city
Impressed by the opulence of papal Rome, the prince-archbishops wanted to breathe fresh new life into the city of Salzburg. To do so, they brought the greatest architects of the day to Salzburg. Good reason, then, why baroque Salzburg is often referred to as the “Rome of the North”. The magnificent buildings of those times still shape much of the city skyline we see today.
Fortress, Castles & Palaces
The history of the biggest and most famous palaces in Salzburg always leads us back to the prince-archbishops. Schloss Hellbrunn and Schloss Klessheim were built as pleasure palaces for their entertainment and amusement, Schloss Mirabell provided a home for the lover and children of Wolf Dietrich, while the Alte Residenz was the official seat of the archbishops’ rule. The state rooms of the Residenz as well as the princes’ chambers in the fortress provide ample evidence of the opulence and riches of this church state.
Museums with clerical reference
Opened in 2014, the DomQuartier – in the heart of Salzburg’s historic district – quite literally provides a complete perspective on Salzburg as the seat of the prince-archbishops. The ancient walls, broad city squares and countless treasures in the rooms and galleries allow you to immerse yourself impressively in the history and stories associated with the prince-archbishops and the church. Highlights of the tour include being able to step out onto the cathedral terrace and look out across the airy plazas, as well as stand up in the choir gallery of the cathedral and gaze down at this baroque masterpiece.
Churches everywhere – at the foot of Salzburg’s city mountains
A walk across our local mountains treats you to a complete panoramic overview of Salzburg. As you stroll from Nonnberg Convent, via the fortress to the Museum der Moderne, then to the Mülln section of town, for example, the array of churches before your eyes will frankly astonish you. With the imposing Old City ever present at your feet, you will catch sight of one extraordinary church structure after another. This is an easy, free walk that truly allows you to appreciate the imposing dimensions of the former church state.
