Palaces of Salzburg. Salzburg. Mirabell is Austria's most romantic story. Mirabell Palace opening hours

Mirabell Palace is located on the other side of the Salzach River, that is, about a kilometer north of the Hohensalzburg fortress and the cathedral. It was built in 1606, but was constantly rebuilt in accordance with the traditions of later architectural styles.

At first, it belonged to the unofficial wife of Archbishop von Reitenau, Salome Alt, who bore him 15 children. However, already 6 years later, the prince-archbishop was deposed, and Markus Zittikus took his place, taking over at the same time the newly built mansion. It was under Zitticus that this castle received the modern name "Mirabel", which is translated from Italian as "beautiful".

In 1727, the palace was rebuilt in a magnificent baroque style, but in 1818 the building had to be almost completely rebuilt after a fire. This time it was done in a more austere neoclassical style. The castle consists of three floors and is decorated with a small triangular pediment on the facade. In 1815, Otto of Bavaria, the future King of Greece Otto I, was born here.

In the 19th century, some Salzburg archbishops still lived here, and then this building was transferred to the possession of the city authorities. Now the magistrate of Salzburg sits in the palace, and the city head, the burgomaster, also lives.

As for the interior of the mansion, the marble staircase, decorated with figures of angels, and the Marble Hall, decorated with gold, where Mozart gave concerts, are of particular interest. Now concerts and wedding ceremonies are held in this luxurious hall. It is interesting that in 1944 it was here that the wedding of the sister of Eva Braun, the common-law wife of Adolf Hitler, took place.

The palace is surrounded by a stunning park, designed in 1690 in the form of a "French" regular park, distinguished by the dominance of symmetry. The park is decorated with sculptures of mythological characters, and a separate part of it is reserved for the amusing Dwarf Garden, famous for its grotesque stone figures of dwarfs. The building of the greenhouse, built in 1725, now houses the Baroque Museum. Now these gardens are very popular among tourists, as they offer a fantastic view of the Hohensalzburg fortress and the Old Town. The famous musical The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews was also filmed here.

Salzburgers like to joke that their burgomaster has the best workplace in all of Europe, because his office is located in the beautiful Mirabell Castle. This is one of the most famous sights in Austria with an amazing story that could easily form the basis of some kind of female romance.

Mirabell Castle was built in 1606 on the initiative of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Reitenau, who decided to make a royal gift to his beloved Salome Alt. And he named this architectural creation in honor of the lady of the heart - Altenau. Wolf Dietrich loved her dearly, but since he was a clergyman, he could not marry her. Salome Alt gave birth to 15 children to the archbishop, of which 10 survived. To make his family's life comfortable, despite the illegality of their relationship, Wolf Dietrich ordered this beautiful palace to be built for them, but, unfortunately, such a grand gesture was not appreciated by his followers and not only renamed the castle Mirabell, but also ordered it to be rebuilt.

Mirabell Castle - a royal gift from the archbishop in love © depositphotos.com

Since then, Mirabell has undergone many more "cosmetic repairs", and at the beginning of the 18th century it was completely rebuilt in the Baroque style. But this option did not become final, because in the 19th century, a strong fire almost wiped Mirabell Castle off the face of the earth.

The famous architect Peter de Nobile undertook its restoration, and a few years later Salzburg received an updated Mirabell. But it differed from the previous castle so much that it caused a lot of controversy. The appearance of the castle became much more calm and restrained, and this did not please many residents of Salzburg.

Mirabell Castle - a royal gift from the archbishop in love © depositphotos.com

In those days, Mirabell Castle was located outside the city, but year after year it "overgrown" with living quarters, and as a result, today it is the very heart of Salzburg. The flow of tourists here never dries up.

The most interesting places to visit in Mirabell Castle- this is a marble hall, a castle church and a staircase of angels.

City Castle Salzburg(Hohensalzburg)

Salzburg castle- a unique place. This is the best observation deck in the city, a historical museum, a concentration of restaurants and a real castle with towers all in one. Hohensalzburg located on top of a hill and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city center.

Salzburg castle

You can climb to the castle either on foot or by funicular - the trailer rises in 1 minute, if not less.

Ticket offices are located at the foot, next to the funicular station. The ticket can be either Basic or Standard, the latter differs in that, in addition to the museum and the tower, you can go inside the castle, to the chambers of the former rulers of the city, and the first implies only the museum and the tower. We chose Basic because we simply wouldn't have had time to go to the rooms.

The museum, which is rare for museums, turned out to be quite interesting - there were halls with the history of weapons and uniforms of the Austrian army, with the history of Salzburg and the construction of the castle, a torture chamber, an installation of important battles for the townspeople and pictures of the life of local residents (I really liked the kitchen of the Austrian peasants of the past - reproduced with so many details, it’s not a museum, but an exposition in Ikea of the 18th century).

The main thing for which it is worth climbing the castle is the view that opens from its observation tower to the city. View in the literal sense of the whole city and even the surroundings and the Alps in the distance.

Cost of visiting Salzburg Castle(Basik ticket) - 12 euros per person.

Mozart places in Salzburg

Salzburg- the birthplace of the most famous and beloved Austrian Austrian, so everything here is dedicated to him: Mozart Square, Mozart Hotel, house-museum of Mozart, sweets "Mozart". In general, approximately 60% are somehow connected with this composer.

There are even several Mozart houses in the city - the one in which the composer was born and the one in which the family moved when Amadeus was 16 years old.

Museum "Birth House of Mozart" located at Geitreidegasse 9 and there are many cute and touching exhibits related to the early childhood of a genius - his first violin and clavichord, children's and family portraits, letters.

Second Museum "Mozart's House of Life" located at Makartplatz 8, next to the conservatory (guess who's name).

Mirabell Park - Salzburg's most flourishing attraction

Judging by the number of people in Mirabell Park is a favorite place for residents Salzburg and it is clear why - green labyrinths, flowerbeds with intricate patterns, fountains, graceful statues, Mirabell Palace.

It is especially beautiful here in early May, when wisteria blooms - hedges from it stretch for several tens of meters. We almost missed this time - the flowers had already dried up and lost their color, but it was clear that just 2 weeks ago there was a realm of lilac tenderness and a paradise for photographers.

Blooming Wisteria in Mirabell Park (c) Pixabay

Also at the entrance to mirabelle park there are stalls where you can buy a glass of wine. When buying wine, you leave a deposit for a glass (usually 2-3 euros) and go with it to the park. I don’t know if this was a one-time action (some kind of wine festival ... it’s very strange that in the spring), but a large number of people sitting with beautiful wine glasses (and not plastic cups) along fountains and alleys under the rays of the rising sun are the most suitable spectacle for a relaxed Sunday evening.

The most delicious attraction in Salzburg

Not only music lovers come to this city, but also sweet tooth from all over the world.

The first reason is sweets "Mozart" or Mozartkugel. This is just a confectionery symphony - chocolate on the outside, marzipan on the inside and a classic round shape. These "balls" were invented in Salzburg in 1890 and since then they have become the national treasure of Austria.

Try Mozartkugel's Salzburg the best is in the Fürst confectionery, according to local reviews, they are the best here.

The second reason is Sacher cake. IN Salzburg, as in Vienna, there is the Sacher Hotel, in the restaurant of which they serve the famous chocolate cake, made according to the classic recipe.

Reason three - "Salzburg Nockerl", another dessert that has become a classic Austrian delicacy. Roughly speaking, a nockerln is a soufflé with a filling, according to tradition it has a three-headed shape (because 3 mountains surround Salzburg) and sprinkled on top with powdered sugar (symbolizing snow on mountain peaks).

Beer Museum in Salzburg

Yes, yes, all so sophisticated Salzburg with his love for art, has another love - for beer! The epicenter of the Austrian love for this drink is located in Salzburg at Bräuhausstraße 9, in the largest private brewery in the country - "Stigel". This is a whole world of beer - an exhibition with a film about beer on the big screen, a tour of the existing brewery and observation of the process, a beer museum and, of course, a tasting. In general, for connoisseurs and not only, this is the most fun museum of salzburg recommended to visit.

The cost of entrance tickets and opening hours can be viewed at the brewery.

Old town of Salzburg

As in many European cities, the central part Salzburg, the most comfortable and atmospheric place in the city. It is here, on these narrow streets, through which the aroma of freshly baked buns and pretzels hovers, that the breath of a bygone imperial era is felt.

Residence Square - the very center of Salzburg

The very center of the city is the Residence Square (Residenzplatz), on which the Salzburg Cathedral, on the other side of the cathedral - Kapitelplatz Square with an unusual statue of the "Man on the Golden Ball" (according to one version, this is a monument to the confectioner who invented the Mozart candy, in fact, it is the candy that symbolizes the golden ball).

Between these squares and the embankment of the Salzach River there is a web of streets with cafes and shops - the streets of the old, central part of the city, the most favorite place in any city, but in Salzburg they are especially romantic, bright and, it seems that they are pre-holiday.

The embankment of the Salzach River can also be called one of attractions in Salzburg- a very beautiful view opens from it to the opposite bank, the old fortress wall, the Capuchin monastery and low, bright green mountains in the distance, wrapped in an almost transparent haze of a spring evening.

Some practical information:

Where to stay in Salzburg

The city is touristic, so hotels, especially in the center, are "various luxury" and very expensive. There are many chains, such as Sheraton and Radisson, but if you want something more economical and in the center, then you can stop at these options:

- the hotel has three stars, and it is located in the very center of the city, not far from Mirabell Park.

- located in a historic building of the 15th century with an adjoining garden.

- a modern, relatively not very expensive chain hotel, but it has a very significant plus - a view of the castle and fortress. It is very romantic, waking up in a room with such a view charges you with positive and faith in a fairy tale for the whole next day.

Salzburgcard

If you are determined to run around all the museums of Salzburg in a short period of time, climb the castle, ride a boat on the river and often travel by public transport, then it is reasonable to purchase, which for the 119 euros spent on it (for 48 hours) allows you to use all this for free. But before that, decide where you want to go, if the set of seats is small, buying individual tickets will be cheaper.

Mirabell Palace and Park is an unconditional decoration of Salzburg. All the laws of landscape architecture are observed here. On the territory of the park there is a special corner - the Gnomes' Garden. This is truly a wonderful collection of human characters!

Mirabell Palace and its owners

The snow-white Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell) in (Salzburg) was built by order of Prince-Bishop Wolf Dietrich von Reitenau. He built this magnificent architectural and park ensemble outside the city wall in 1606. The palace was intended for the secret beloved of the archbishop. Her name was Salome Alt, and the original name of the building was Altenau.

In 1612, the archbishop was removed from business, and the palace passed to his nephew Markus Sitticus von Hohenems. Raitenau's successor renamed it the Mirabell Palace, which means "very beautiful" in Italian.

In the XVIII century, by order of the new Archbishop Franz von Harrach, the building underwent significant changes. The architect Johann Lukas Hildebrandt worked on the project. In the architecture of the palace, the characteristic features of the Baroque style began to be traced, a courtyard appeared.

The fire of 1818 caused significant damage to the building. After the restoration of the palace, the unique appearance of the Baroque was lost. Only the Marble Hall and the main staircase richly decorated with angels and cherubs have survived from the original interiors. (The figures on the stairs were made by the sculptor Rafael Donner.) Many elements have been lost forever: figurines and vases have disappeared; decorative cornices and towers that adorned the facade. The style of the building after the restoration began to resemble neoclassical. The modern appearance of the palace is the fruit of the work of Peter de Nobele.

Since 1868, the Mirabell Palace has been considered the property of the city of Salzburg - the city authorities bought it for 50 thousand guilders. Since 1948, the mayor's residence has been located here. Currently, the Mirabell Palace houses the magistrate of Salzburg and the office of the burgomaster. It also hosts Salzburg Palace concerts, congresses and award ceremonies.

The palace, its garden and surrounding buildings are a monument of architecture under the protection of UNESCO.

marble hall

The marble hall of the palace used to be the main hall of the prince-archbishops. Leopold Mozart and his children Nannerl and Wolfgang Amadeus played music here. Today it has become a world-famous romantic wedding venue. Young couples come from all over the world to say the cherished words of consent here. The wedding ceremony at the Mirabell Palace lasts 15 minutes. The newlyweds return on foot. There is no parking on site, you can only get to the gate of the palace.

palace park

The baroque decorative Mirabell Park was created during the reign of Prince-Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun, around 1690. The park is optically oriented towards Hohensalzburg and the Cathedral. Its alleys are decorated with sculptures on mythological themes, stone lions and fountains. Fischer von Erlach was engaged in the arrangement of the palace park in the 17th century.

Park attractions:

the Pegasus Fountain, installed in 1913, by Kaspar Gras from Innsbruck;
A large fountain, around which there are 4 sculptural compositions, symbolizing water, fire, earth and air. Work by Ottavio Mosto, 1690;
The summer theatre, bordered by hedges, is one of the oldest in Europe;
Garden of gnomes with unusual sculptures of little people;
The rose garden is located along the southern wall of the Mirabell;
The greenhouse is today used as a palm house.

Scenes from the famous Hollywood film-musical The Sound of Music were filmed in Mirabell Park.

How to get there?

Go to the stop Salzburg Mülln-Altstadt.

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There was an archbishop of Salzburg Wolf Dietrich von Reitenau. And although he was a church person, and according to the church rules of that time it was not supposed to have beloved women, Wolf Dietrich was above the laws. In 1606, on his orders, a luxurious Altenau Palace as a gift to the lady of the heart, the beautiful Solomeya Alt. The complex is being built outside the gates of the city - now it is already the very center of Salzburg. Further more…

Since ancient times, it so happened that if there is an impregnable castle, or some other palace is bigger and more beautiful, then a beauty must be imprisoned in it. And the prince. The one on the white horse. But that's in fairy tales. In the life of beauties, no one hides castles from the public, on the contrary, the prince (not an obligatory character) tries to put beauty on public display, and even emphasize the decoration and luxury of the place of residence ...

Why all this introduction - and what we will tell you now about one of the most beautiful castles (or rather castle complexes - because the real pearl is, first of all, the garden at the castle) of Austria - Mirabell castle.

There lived the Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich von Reitenau. And although he was a church person, and according to the church rules of that time it was not supposed to have beloved women, Wolf Dietrich was above the laws. In 1606, on his orders, the magnificent Altenau Palace was built as a gift to the lady of the heart, the beautiful Solomeya Alt. The complex is being built outside the gates of the city - now it is already the very center of Salzburg. Further more. The embittered beauty, in a fit of gratitude, gives birth to 15 (fifteen) children to the archbishop. True, only 10 survived - but this was a very good result by the standards of that time. Naturally, only as long as the family idyll continues, while the archbishop is alive. After his death, Solomeya is expelled from the palace, and the complex itself is remodeled and expanded.

In place of the archbishop comes his main rival - cousin Marcus Zitticus von Hohenem. He decided to rename the castle - to erase from memory the shameful act of a relative. This is how the archiepiscopal summer residence of Mirabell appears (historians argue to this day - whether Mirabell is from Spanish for “beautiful view”, or in French there is a name for such a variety of plums that grew on this territory ...).

For the next 200 years, the archbishops were not transferred here. Someone liked the castle, someone treated it "with coolness", but everyone considered it obligatory to complete something, at least a little, but complete it. So Mirabell joined the boundaries of Salzburg. In the 20s of the 18th century, the castle was radically rebuilt in the Baroque style according to the project of Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. So he did not reach us. At the beginning of the 19th century, the strongest fire burns Mirabell to the ground.

The castle needs to be restored - this decision did not raise any questions. But who is worthy to do this? We decided to turn to Peter de Nobile, the court architect and director of the Vienna School of Architecture. The decision turned out to be controversial. On the one hand, the architect quickly got down to business and by 1819 had restored Mirabell, giving it the appearance that has survived to this day. On the other hand, such a famous architect did not want to follow the path of restoration, the castle was already rebuilt according to his project. The result was a calmer, more restrained structure when compared to the period of the 18th and 19th centuries. And we must agree that the objects that survived that terrible fire and came to us from ancient times are considered the architectural pearl of the castle: the famous staircase, the Marble Hall and the castle church.

In the palace complex, special attention should be paid to the magnificent staircase - a vivid example of the late European Baroque. The marble balustrade is decorated with plump angels, obligatory for this style, pseudo-antique statues are placed in the niches.
A marble wedding hall in the Mirabell Palace, art critics consider it unique and say that it has no equal in the world. The decor of the early 17th century is completely preserved here - lush and refined. The voluptuous archbishop clearly had a remarkable sense of beauty. Smooth walls of red-veined white marble, adorned with gilded lines and dissected by pilasters, define the sumptuous interior of this most beautiful wedding hall in the world. Green marble fireplace, golden medallions and sparkling glass chandeliers complete the decoration of the hall.
In this former main hall of the castle, not only the marriages of couples from different cities are celebrated, but also the famous Salzburg castle concerts are held.
The palace building is still in use today. Part of it is occupied by the city administration of Salzburg, here is the residence of the Salzburg burgomaster and some city services. Several rooms are given over to the Baroque Museum.

Having opened any guidebook, on one of the first pages you, looking through the list of attractions, will definitely see Mirabell garden. Oddly enough, but the park (or garden) at the castle has become an even more popular attraction than the castle itself. Mirabell Park is far from the scale of the Vienna Volksgarten, not as luxurious as the Luxembourg Park in Paris, but due to its compactness, conciseness, in its own way even originality, it is sometimes called the most luxurious park in Austria.

The park is laid out in the classical form of baroque park architecture. At the entrance you will be met by two stone lions guarding the access to the fountain and the Dwarfs' Garden. The fountain is visible from afar and completely captures your attention from afar. It is surrounded by four sculptural groups, which represent the four elements - air, earth, fire and water: Paris carries Helen kidnapped by him through the water, Pluto takes Persephone underground, Hercules lifts the giant Antaeus into the air and Aeneas carries his father Anchises on his shoulders from the covered the flames of the city of Troy.

Not far from the fountain is another popular place among tourists - Dwarf garden. Quite a small patch, on which stone figures depicting the daily life of the Salzburg people are installed. But either the architect saw these pictures somehow distorted, or he wanted to convey with his creation a different idea that did not reach his contemporaries, but the garden turned out to be original. Some even call it scary. Humpbacked, grimacing, grinning dwarfs attract viewers like a magnet, trying to unravel the creator's idea. Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria did not like these dwarfs so much when he lived in Mirabell Castle that he even wanted to destroy them. As a result, many of the sculptures were sold, and then it took a lot of effort to return them to their place.

Not far from the Garden of the Dwarfs is a small labyrinth and a theatre, the oldest of all open-air theaters this side of the Alps. It was actually used for performances: the hedge was the backstage, where the artists could prepare for their appearance, and there was even an orchestra pit in front of the green-covered stage. Under the open sky, pantomimes were played, operas and ballets were staged.
Fountains, pools, stone balustrades, vases, sculptures and sculptural groups, pyramidal beech trees and floral arabesques have merged here into a single ensemble.

Needless to say - to describe the beauty of the park - the last thing. She needs to be seen. Welcome to Salzburg. And don't forget to visit Mirabell.

Entry to the Mirabell Garden is free. Entrance to the Baroque Museum costs 5 euros. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm; Sunday - from 10 to 13.