About Salzburg:
Although we know Salzburg today as a city, for over 1,100 years Salzburg operated as an independent ecclesiastical city-state (prince-bishopric) within the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by prince-archbishops who wielded both secular and spiritual power. Founded in 696, this rule fostered massive Baroque development, earning it the nickname “Rome of the North” until its secularization in the early 19th century
Overlooking the city is Hohensalzburg Fortress, a large medieval fortress that was erected at the behest of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg. The fortress one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.
Salzburg is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities; it is well known as the birthplace of Mozart, and you will see his name all over the city…….most notably at his birthplace (Getreidegasse 9), the Mozart Residence (Makartplatz), and Mozartplatz square, which features his statue. His name is also on the baptismal register at Salzburg Cathedral, the Mozarteum University, and on souvenirs like the original Fürst Mozartkugel (Salzburg confectioner PAUL FÜRST created the now world-famous Salzburger Mozartkugel around the year 1890. His exquisite creation made of a marzipan and pistachio core wrapped in nougat and dipped in dark chocolate quickly became the most popular sweet in the city.
It is also where the movie “The Sound of Music” is set, including the Mirabell Palace Gardens (“Do-Re-Mi”), Leopoldskron Palace (back of the house), Frohnburg Palace (front of the house), Nonnberg Abbey, and the Summer Riding School.
With so many churches, it has been called “the Rome of the North”.
Salzburg is home to two very important Catholic shrines:
The Loreto Chuch (The Christ Child of Loreto)