photo : Allie Caulfield
When in Salzburg, meander along to the Mirabell Palace where you’ll be able to find deformed dwarfs in a gorgeous garden.
Mirabell Palace Gardens
The gardens surrounding the marvellous Mirabell Palace are considered to give a ‘picture perfect view’ of super Salzburg - a UNESCO world heritage site. Built along a north to south axis, the gardens are oriented towards the Hohensalzburg castle that dominates the skyline.
Considered one fo the most beautiful baroque gardens in Europe, it’s a sculpture lovers delight with statuary from ancient times in hidden arbours; standing proudly along the paving; and niched away in little nooks. Originally designed in the 1600′s, the gardens were later remodelled and remain to date an exemplar of baroque finery, fun and follies.
The gardens are a glory of colour in spring, summer and autumn, yet lose nothing of their attraction in the depth of winter with a covering of snow. There’s a hedge maze that leads to one of the most celebrated hedge theatre’s in the Alps, which was designed between 1704 and 1718. It’s still used as a concert venue in the summer months.
The ‘Grand Parterre‘ is full of flora in the flowering season, whilst on the ‘small parterre’ you will meet Pegasus in his pond. The statue started life outside the Palace walls and became a fountain feature from 1913. And it’s along the ‘small parterre’ that you will meet the most amusing of men and women!
Deformed Dwarfs and the Vogelhaus
There is a pocket within the park that is home to the many deformed dwarfs of Mirabell Palace. These are allegedly fashioned after actual people who lived, worked and played in the court of the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg. But if you are a film buff (or soft for ‘The Sound of Music’) you’ll recognise the little chap above from his début in the 20th century as a screen star!
A further feature of these grand gardens is the Vogelhaus – an aviary – where birds were displayed for the amusement of the Prince Archbishop and his guests during the 1700′s. Today’s captives of the Vogelhaus are not of a feathered kind, though no less fine. Art work is displayed for everyone’s delight.
What better way is there to spend a truly delightful day, than in the Mirabell Palace gardens in Salzburg?
And if you’re travelling with children it’s worth knowing there’s also pleasure in the playground that has a music and Mozart touch!