Travel Channel

The city's beginnings

The city of Salzburg, the capital of the province of the same name, defines Austria's culture, fine arts and history. Findings in the surroundings of the Hallein district have led archaeologists to believe that there were settlements here in the Paleolithic Age. The territory today known as Salzburg was settled after the Neolithic period, and following the rise of the Roman Empire in 15 BC, the former cave settlements on the left bank of the river were replaced by a city known as Salzach. The buildings in the area were named "Ivavo." A Christian community came into being after the Roman administration began to falter, but members of the Celtic-Roman population remained until the early Middle Ages.

A Bishopric

In 798, Pope Leo proclaimed the blossoming city on the river an archdiocese. (The German name "Salzburg" didn't become used until the mid-8th century.) Bishop Virgil, who originally came to Austria from Ireland and lived here at the end of the 8th century, was an important figure in Salzburg's cultural development. Salzburg is the oldest town in the territory we now know as Austria, although Vienna and Enns admittedly have older town charters.

From the late 11th century through the late 15th century, the city underwent rapid changes as it grew in number and area. Walls were built, destroyed, rebuilt and fortified. One of the most famous landmarks in Salzburg, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, was built in 1077, commissioned by Archbishop Gebhard. After the relative darkness of the turbulent Middle Ages, Salzburg emerged in the 1500s as a cultural capital of Europe.

The "German Rome" – Baroque in Salzburg

One of the most striking features about Salzburg is its architecture. Unlike any other city in the world, Salzburg looks exactly like you pictured it. Five-story buildings with baroque façades line the narrow cobblestone streets, and one can easily picture a young Mozart galloping down one of these little alleys on his way to a concert. Part of the attraction of Salzburg's architecture is due some brilliant Italian and Austrian architects, who, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, created such magnificent eye-pleasers as the famous Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburger Dom, Mirabell Palace, and more.

Salzburg and Austria

The Habsburg dynasty annexed Salzburg to "Österreich ob der Enns" ("Austria on the River Enns") in 1805, but between 1810 and 1815, it once again belonged to the south German province of Bavaria. After this brief interlude, it was part of Austria once and for all and in 1848, it even became the capital of the crowned lands of Salzburg. Along with a series of economic developments, the opening of the "Westbahnstrecke" (1860), the main railroad through Austria, ensured that Salzburg saw its fortune improve. In the 19th century, tourism also became a focus of attention, and the famous "Salzburger Festspiele" (Salzburg festivals) were founded.

Salzburg acquired a new image in these years, and the city grew, adding new neighborhoods. Things took a turn for the worst, however, in the years leading up to WWII, when Austria willingly annexed itself to Nazi Germany. Because of their complicity, (these days largely understated by the Austrian government), Salzburg, among other Austrian cities, was subjected to Allied bombings during the War, and roughly 40% of Salzburg's buildings were destroyed.

Salzburg after WWII

Salzburg became the headquarters for US troops stationed in Austria after the downfall of the Third Reich. Since then, Salzburg has often been called the "secret capital" of Austria. American troops stayed until 1955, when the Treaty of Austria was signed. By 1959, the Salzburger Dom had been rebuilt and blessed, and the University of Salzburg re-opened three years later.

1997 saw the Altstadt's inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. What was then classified as a cultural monument worth preserving is today a city within a city with a population of over 150,000. Over 6.5 million tourists visit Salzburg every year, many of them attending some of the 4000 cultural events that take place there annually. Apart from Vienna, no other Austrian city is as important for Austria's tourism industry as glorious Salzburg.

   Copyright © 1999-2008 wcities.com all right reserved