Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
City Walk
In Mozart's Footsteps
Start
Schloss Mirabell
Finish
Fürst
Length
3km; 1½ hrs
Mozart was the ultimate musical prodigy: he identified a pig's squeal as G-sharp when he was two years old,
began to compose when he was five and first performed for Empress Maria Theresia at the age of six. Follow in
his footsteps on this classic walking tour.
Begin at baroque
Schloss Mirabell
(
Click here
), where the resplendent Marmorsaal is often the backdrop
for chamber concerts of Mozart's music. Stroll south through the fountain-dotted gardens, passing the strikingly
angular
Mozarteum
(
Click here
)
, a foundation honouring Mozart's life and works, and the host of the
renowned Mozartwoche festival. Around the corner on Makartplatz is the 17th-century
Mozart-Wohnhaus
(
Click here
)
, where you can see how the Mozart family lived and listen to rare recordings of Mozart's symphon-
ies. Amble north along Linzer Gasse to
Friedhof St Sebastian
(
Click here
), the arcaded cemetery where
Wolfgang's father Leopold and wife Constanze lie buried. Now retrace your steps towards the Salzach River,
turning left onto medieval Steingasse and crossing the art nouveau
Mozartsteg
(Mozart Bridge). Look out
for the
memorial plaque
at No 8, the house where Mozart's beloved Constanze died, as you approach
Mozartplatz
. On this elegant square, Mozart is literally and metaphorically put on a pedestal. Across the way is
the
Residenz
(
Click here
) palace where Mozart gave his first court concert at the ripe old age of six. Beside
it rests the baroque
Dom
(
Click here
), where Mozart's parents were married in 1747 and little Mozart was
baptised in 1756. Mozart later composed sacred music here and was cathedral organist. Follow Franziskaner-
gasse to reach the
Kollegienkirche
(
Click here
) on Universitätsplatz, where Mozart's
D Minor Mass
, K65,
premiered in 1769. On Getreidegasse, stop to contemplate the birthplace of a genius at
Mozarts Ge-
burtshaus
(
Click here
) and buy some famous chocolate Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls) at
Fürst
(
Click here
).
Festivals & Events
Mozartwoche
(Mozart Week;
www.mozarteum.at
; late Jan)
World-renowned orchestras, conductors and so-
loists celebrate Mozart's birthday with a feast of his music.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Osterfestspiele
(Easter Festival;
www.osterfestspiele-salzburg.at
;
Apr)
This springtime shindig brings orchestral
highlights, under Christian Thielemann's sprightly baton, to the Festpielhaus.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
