Think Salzburg and you are sure to think of baroque architecture, the movie- Sound of Music and of course W. A. Mozart. Unarguably, the city’s most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in the city on 27 January 1756. And if you are a fan of music and this musical genius who composed more than 800 masterpieces during his short life of just 35 years, Salzburg does not disappoint. Here is a list of places in Salzburg that have an intrinsic connection with Mozart.
Café Tomaselli: While Salzburg is home to the Mozart cafe that dates back to the early 1900s, it was the legendary Café Tomaselli (originally called cafe Staiger) that W A Mozart frequented. This historic cafe is one of the oldest coffee shops in Europe and was initially established in the early 1700s as a meeting-place for students and bohemians. It is said that Mozart was a regular visitor here who often frequented the place for its ambience and almond milk. He is also said to have visited the place with his family where they enjoyed icecream, tea and chocolate. Located in the vibrant locality of Goldgasse in the old town, it is the perfect place to grab an authentic Austrian breakfast. Replete with old world charm, the cafe serves an assortment of breads, croissants and cakes.
Hagenauer Haus aka Mozart’s Birthplace: Located on No. 9 Getreidegasse in Salzburg old town, this house was where Mozart was born. He spent most of his youth here before shifting to what we call the “Mozart Residence” today. Hagenauer House is one of the most popular and most visited museums of Austria.
The museum is a treasure trove of memorabilia related to the life and times of Mozart. You can take a one hour self guided tour and unravel original family treasures and instruments owned by the musical genius.
As you stroll around the house, one can visualize life during the 18th century including the layout of the yesteryear houses, kitchen tools, furniture of the past etc. Mozart’s family history, his compositions, photographs and paintings are other items on display.
Mozart Wohnhaus aka Mozart Residence: This spacious eight bedroom apartment was the home of Mozart from 1773 until 1780 when he left Salzburg for good.
Again a haven for Mozart fans, Mozart Residence is run by the International Mozarteum Foundation. The rich display includes a detailed iconography of the Mozart family, his original instruments and details about his compositions, operas and premieres. A multi-vision show as well as rotating exhibitions provide an engaging experience.
Mozartplatz and Mozart Monument: is located in the center of the city’s old town and is a bustling square replete with historical buildings all around. While the highlight is the Mozart statue which was erected way back in 1841 by Ludwig Schwanthaler, other important buildings in the vicinity are Residenzplatz and Salzburg Cathedral. This square is a focal point during the season of Christmas and is the center of all activity like the ice rink and the city’s famous Christmas markets.
To read more about Salzburg which is a day trip from Munich, check out my article in the April issue of namaste.ai, the inflight magazine of Air India.
