AUSTRIA

Salzburg, a capital of culture enveloped by the beauties of nature, combines the charm of a smaller city with the extravagance of a cosmopolitan center, and for this reason, has come, in the minds of many of its visitors, to be emblematic of the best that Austria has to offer.

Salzburg is imperial in its own way: the city's glorious architecture, its splendid churches, palaces and mansions reflect Salzburg's history as a sovereign, indeed "princely" state, an identity that had long been established when the church-state, ruled for centuries by prince-archbishops, was incorporated into the Habsburg empire in the early nineteenth century. Salzburg literally means "salt fortress" - and it is true that Salzburg's riches were based on the revenues from the nearby salt mines, riches that were the foundation for Salzburg's glorious architecture, splendid churches, palaces and mansions.

Salzburg is renowned for the magnificent music that was (and still is) created and performed within the city. Salzburg has often been called "the Rome of the North," for its incomparable beauty - a beauty so spectacular that at first sight, the visitor might almost be overwhelmed by Salzburg's abundance of architectural and cultural attractions. Indeed, a brief stay can hardly satisfy the appetite for loveliness that Salzburg inspires, leading many visitors to return and rediscover the beauties of the city in more detail.

The Sounds of Salzburg

The highly-cultured atmosphere in Salzburg created the background in which Mozart's genius could develop and flourish during his formative years. Today, Salzburg is brimming with musical performances and festivals practically every day throughout the year, starting with the Mozart Week in January, continuing with the Easter Festival and the Whitsun Baroque Festival, it reaches its pinnacle with the Salzburg Summer Festival and continues with "Szene Salzburg," a festival of dance and experimental art, the Salzburg Culture Days, the "Salzburg Jazz Autumn," palace concerts, performances of the Marionette Theater and closes out the year with many Advent and Christmas activities. Stefan Zweig summed it up: "It is the artistic capital not only of Europe but of the whole world."

Silent Night, Holy Night

The world's loveliest and most famous Christmas carol was composed by schoolteacher Franz Xaver Gruber about five miles outside of Salzburg, in the small village of Oberndorf, and first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818. Ever since, this simple song has captured the spirit of Christmas around the world. The "Silent Night" Memorial Chapel in Oberndorf can be visited all year round.