Salzburg history

Salzburg has a long history going back to Roman times, but it was in the 16th century, thanks in great part to the strong will and grand vision of one of the city's famous Prince Archbishop rulers, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, that it became the Salzburg we know today, with cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, elegant, secluded squares and fabulous architecture.

For a relatively small city, Salzburg has an astonishing number of interesting buildings, monuments, sights and attractions. The most prominent architectural style in the Old Town is the baroque, although there are many medieval, rococo and more modern buildings too.

Among the essential places to visit are the magnificent cathedral, the castle high above the city, the Festival Halls, Mozart's Birthplace in the lovely Getreidegasse Lane, St Peter's Abbey and Monastery and the old residence of the Salzburg prince archbishops.