Whether from Getreidegasse, above Mirabell Gardens or even from Hellbrunn: Hohensalzburg Fortress towers majestically over the city of Salzburg and adds a special touch to the breathtaking view of the old town. Explore almost a millennium of history in the Fortress Hohensalzburg – Salzburg’s most famous landmark. Hohensalzburg Fortress is the most striking of Salzburg’s sights. With its almost 1000 years of history it is definitely worth a visit. The medieval architecture of the fortifications on the Mönchsberg makes Hohensalzburg Fortress one of the most impressive buildings in Central Europe.

As a result of the ongoing Investiture Controversy and at the behest of Archbishop Gebhard, the construction of the earliest parts of today’s fortress began. Over the following centuries, the fortress was expanded and its armaments upgraded. In order to prepare the fortress for the increasing likelihood of war, significant building work was done under Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach between 1495 and 1519. In this phase, today’s appearance of the fortress was achieved.

Over the course of its history, no enemies have managed to win the fortress in Salzburg. Besides its function as city fortification the fortress was used as a casern or a prison, e.g. during WWI.

Already in the year 1892 a water-powered funicular was built to facilitate tourist visits. To this day, visitors are taken to the castle on a modern version of this fortress railroad, the FestungsBahn, which takes you from the city to the fortress in 54 seconds. Alternatively, you can also reach the fortress by taking a short walk up the fortress hill. From there you can catch wonderful views of the towers, roofs and gardens of the city of Mozart. 

In 2016 the former proprietor of the fortress, the state of Austria, gifted it to the federal state Salzburg in celebration of the anniversary “200 Years Salzburg Part of Austria”.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest castles of Europe and the largest preserved fortress of central Europe. The inside of the fortress reflects the sumptuous lifestyle of the former prince archbishops. Particularly worth seeing are the medieval Royal Apartments and the castle museum. Enjoy the striking view over the roofs of Salzburg with the impressive panorama of the alps.

Hohensalzburg Fortress can be explored by visitors at their leisure. Those interested in the history of the fortress and the city can look forward to three museums. The castle museum provides insights into the fortress’s past and the history of the city of Salzburg and the life that took place around the fortifications. The puppet museum features many exhibits from the famous Salzburg Marionette Theatre. Focused on military history, the Rainer Regiment museum illustrates the past of the former Salzburg infantry regiment.

In addition to the concerts, there is another musical highlight at Hohensalzburg Fortress: the so-called “Salzburger Stier”, the oldest horn organ in the world that is still in operation. The barrel organ with 130 pipes is located behind the wooden balcony of the Krautturm and was probably built around 1640. If you prick up your ears, you can hear the Salzburger Stier every day at 7 am, 11 am and 6 pm after the Salzburg Glockenspiel in the Old Town. 

Experience the Hohensalzburg Fortress at a dinner concert in one of the beautiful rooms. The Golden Hall or the Heraldry Hall with its gothic decorations provide the atmospheric venue for a four-course dinner, followed by a concert by the Mozart Chamber Orchestra Salzburg or the Salzburg Mozart Ensemble.

All around the year, the Salzburg Fortress is the venue for various events. Especially during Christmas time, the fortress is worth a visit. The courtyard houses a romantic Christmas market and daily Christmas dinner concerts in the Golden Hall promise culinary and musical indulgence.