Salzburg history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Salzburg is rooted in ancient times when a Roman settlement named Juvavum existed on this site. However, the actual birth of the city as we know it occurred in the year 696. It was then that Bishop Rupert (later Saint Rupert) received these lands as a gift from the Duke of Bavaria and founded St. Peter's Abbey here — the oldest operating monastery in the German-speaking world.

The name "Salzburg" itself, which translates as "Salt Castle", first appears in chronicles around the year 755. This name predetermined the city's destiny, pointing to the main source of its future wealth.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a modest monastic settlement into one of the most influential cities in Central Europe was made possible by a combination of several circumstances:

• Geography and Resources: Its location on the Salzach River, which was used for transporting goods, and its proximity to rich deposits of salt ("white gold"), created a powerful economic base.
• Political Status: In 798, Salzburg became an archbishopric. For centuries, the city was ruled by Prince-Archbishops who possessed absolute secular and spiritual power, making the region a practically independent ecclesiastical principality.
• Trade Routes: The city was situated at the intersection of important routes connecting the north of Europe with Italy, which facilitated the development of commerce and the influx of craftsmen.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Thanks to colossal revenues from the salt monopoly, the city's rulers could afford large-scale architectural projects. A symbol of this power was the commencement of the construction of the Hohensalzburg fortress in 1077, which was intended to protect the city and demonstrate the strength of the archbishops.

From its early years, Salzburg developed as the "Rome of the North". Church rulers invited the best architects and artists, creating a unique environment where religion, art, and wealth intertwined, forming the unique Baroque appearance of the city that delights tourists today.

Timeline of Events

• 15 BC — The Romans found a military camp and the settlement of Juvavum, becoming the ancient predecessor of the modern city.
• 696 AD — Saint Rupert founds St. Peter's Abbey, which is considered the moment of the city's actual birth.
• 798 AD — Salzburg receives archbishopric status, becoming the most important religious centre of the region.
• 1077 — Construction begins on the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which served as a reliable defence for rulers for centuries.
• 1278 — The Archbishops of Salzburg receive the title of Imperial Princes, cementing the city's de facto independence from Bavaria.
• 1622 — The University of Salzburg is founded, one of the oldest universities in the territory of modern Austria.
• Late 16th – early 17th century — Under the leadership of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, a large-scale reconstruction of the city in the Baroque style begins.
• 27 January 1756 — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the future genius of the musical world, is born in a house on Getreidegasse.
• 1803 — During the Napoleonic Wars, secularisation occurs, and the Salzburg ecclesiastical principality ceases to exist.
• 1816 — After a period of uncertainty and Bavarian administration, Salzburg finally becomes part of the Austrian Empire.
• 1860 — The opening of railway connections with Vienna and Munich turns the city into a popular tourist destination.
• 1920 — Max Reinhardt and Hugo von Hofmannsthal found the famous Salzburg Festival, staging the play "Jedermann" on Cathedral Square for the first time.
• 1965 — The film "The Sound of Music", filmed in Salzburg, is released, attracting a new wave of tourists from around the world.
• 1997 — The historic city centre, including its famous Baroque architecture, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Salzburg is a journey from a wealthy ecclesiastical principality to a modern cultural capital. The main milestones of the city's development can be divided into several key stages that defined its current appearance and status:

• The Era of "White Gold" (Middle Ages). The foundation of the city's prosperity was the mining and trading of salt. The monopoly on this resource allowed the archbishops to accumulate vast funds, which were invested in strengthening political independence and building monumental structures, such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
• The Baroque Revolution (Late 16th – 17th Century). Under the leadership of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and his successors, the medieval layout was radically changed. The city gained wide squares, fountains, and the majestic Cathedral. It was this stage that turned Salzburg into the "Rome of the North", giving it a unique Italian flair.
• Establishment of a University Centre (1622). The opening of the Benedictine University was an important step in the intellectual development of the region. This event secured the city's status as a centre of science and theology, attracting students and scholars from all over Central Europe.
• Integration into the Austrian Empire (1816). After the loss of independence and the period of the Napoleonic Wars, Salzburg became part of Austria. This led to a change in administrative structure: from the capital of a sovereign church state, it turned into an important imperial administrative centre, which entailed governance reforms.
• Transport and Tourism Breakthrough (1860s). Connection to the railway network and the demolition of old city walls gave a powerful impulse to the economy. The city began to expand beyond the historic core, new quarters emerged (for example, the Andräviertel district), and transport accessibility marked the beginning of mass tourism.
• Birth of the "City of Stage" (1920). The founding of the Salzburg Festival in the difficult post-war years was a turning point. Culture became a new city-forming factor, turning the city into a global musical capital and ensuring a stable influx of guests even during periods of economic crisis.
• Global Recognition (1997). The inclusion of the historic centre in the UNESCO World Heritage List cemented the course for preserving architectural heritage. This decision imposed strict obligations on urban planning but definitively established Salzburg as one of Europe's main tourism brands.

Architectural Appearance and Styles

Salzburg is often called the "Rome of the North" thanks to its unique urban development, in which a stark medieval structure organically intertwined with the opulence of Italian Baroque. The city developed under the patronage of powerful Prince-Archbishops who strove to turn it into an ideal residential city.

The architectural fabric of Salzburg is clearly divided into historical layers, each of which has left its mark on the city's appearance:

• Middle Ages (Romanesque and Gothic). The earliest layer of development, characterised by narrow streets and powerful defensive structures.
  • Characteristic features: Pointed roofs, thick walls, dense construction, vertical aspiration.
  • Iconic objects: Hohensalzburg Fortress (dominates the city), the Franciscan Church with its magnificent Gothic choir, the famous shopping street Getreidegasse with its passageways.
• Renaissance and Baroque (17th–18th Centuries). The "Golden Age" of Salzburg architecture. Archbishops, inspired by the Vatican, invited Italian architects (Vincenzo Scamozzi, Santino Solari) for a radical reconstruction of the city.
  • Characteristic features: Spacious squares, domes, rich stucco decor, symmetry, fountains, and garden-park ensembles.
  • Iconic objects: The majestic Cathedral (the first Baroque building north of the Alps), Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the archbishops' residence on Residenzplatz, and the Kollegienkirche (Collegiate Church).
• Historicism and the Gründerzeit (19th Century). After the demolition of the city walls in the second half of the 19th century, the city began to expand, especially on the right bank of the Salzach River.
  • Characteristic features: Wide boulevards, villas in Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance styles, imitation of Viennese architecture of that time.
  • Iconic objects: The Andräviertel district, reminiscent of Parisian quarters, and the Mozarteum theatre building.
• Modernism and Contemporary Architecture (20th–21st Centuries). Modern Salzburg carefully integrates bold architectural solutions into the historical landscape, creating a contrast between antiquity and high-tech.
  • Characteristic features: Use of glass, steel, and concrete, minimalism, functionality.
  • Iconic objects: The Hangar-7 exhibition pavilion with its futuristic glass dome, and the Museum of Modern Art on Mönchsberg mountain, concisely inscribed into the rock relief.

Distinguished Figures of Salzburg

Salzburg has become the birthplace and home for many people whose names are forever inscribed in world history. From geniuses of music to pioneers in science — these personalities formed the city's unique cultural code.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
  Role: Composer, virtuoso musician.
  Significance: The most famous native of the city. Born in a house on Getreidegasse. His musical heritage is the foundation of Salzburg's cultural identity, attracting millions of classical music fans annually.
• Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau (1559–1617)
  Role: Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg.
  Significance: The chief architect of the city's appearance. It was his ambitious plans to rebuild the medieval city that turned Salzburg into a pearl of the Baroque. He initiated the construction of Mirabell Palace and the redevelopment of central squares.
• Christian Doppler (1803–1853)
  Role: Mathematician and physicist.
  Significance: A native of Salzburg who discovered the physical effect of wave frequency change (the Doppler effect). His discovery formed the basis of modern technologies: from radars to medical diagnostics (ultrasound) and astrophysics.
• Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989)
  Role: Conductor.
  Significance: One of the most influential conductors of the 20th century. Born in Salzburg, he was the artistic director of the Salzburg Festival for many years, taking it to a new international level.
• Paracelsus (1493–1541)
  Role: Physician, alchemist, philosopher.
  Significance: The famous medical reformer of the Renaissance era spent the last years of his life in Salzburg. His grave is located in St. Sebastian's Cemetery, and he is revered as one of the fathers of modern pharmacology.
• Stefan Zweig (1881–1942)
  Role: Writer, playwright, journalist.
  Significance: Lived in Salzburg (in a villa on Kapuzinerberg) for about 15 years. It was here that he wrote his famous "Decisive Moments in History" and hosted the best intellectuals of Europe of that time.
• Georg Trakl (1887–1914)
  Role: Poet.
  Significance: The brightest representative of Austrian Expressionism. Born and raised in Salzburg; the dark and melancholic atmosphere of his poems often echoes the imagery of his hometown.
• Maria von Trapp (1905–1987)
  Role: Singer, author of memoirs.
  Significance: Her life story in Salzburg formed the basis of the famous musical and film "The Sound of Music", which made the city incredibly popular among tourists from the USA and Asia.