Your expert, English-speaking private guide will meet you in Mozart Square by the colossal bronze statue of the maestro himself – Salzburg’s musical hero, to begin this unique three-hour Music and Mozart themed private walking tour of Salzburg.
With a history stretching back to the Celts, the Romans and later the Holy Roman Empire, Salzburg is a city filled with medieval monasteries and baroque palaces, majestic domes and spires, and epic panoramic views over the rolling green and snow-capped hills. The Old City of Salzburg is a maze of quaint streets opening on to large and spacious squares. Today it is rightly designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On this tour you’ll learn all about the life, loves, scandals, and incredible achievements of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born here in January 1756. From Mozart Square, you will walk to Getreidegasse, a famous shopping street where Mozart was born and lived until age 17 at number 9. The youngest of seven children, five of whom died in childhood, Mozart was a child genius and composed his first piece of music at the age of five. He is considered one of the greatest, as well as prolific, composers of all time – with over 800 compositions finished by the time of his tragically young death at 35 years old.
Number 9 is now a museum, showing Mozart’s early life, his musical instruments, and early compositions. Your guide will show you around and share many fascinating stories of his extraordinary childhood.
Included in the tour is a welcome coffee stop at a beautiful, historic and family run Cafe where your guide will also treat you to a delicious Salzburg specialty called Mozartkugel the Mozart Ball. This chocolate ball filled with nougat, pistachio and marzipan was invented in 1890 by master confectioner Paul Furst, and named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Next, you’ll walk to the beautiful and tranquil grounds of the St. Sebastian Cemetery. The cemetery is filled with the graves of notable royals, aristocrats and important Salzburg families – including Mozart’s parents. (Mozart himself died in Vienna and was buried in a communal grave. His skull however is held at the Mozart Foundation in Salzburg).
Lastly, you’ll visit the spectacular grounds of the magnificent Mirabell Palace, built in 1606 by the archbishop-prince Wolf Dietrich for his mistress Salome Alt and her children. The gardens were redesigned in 1690 and consist of formal lawns and splendid fountains. Many scenes from the Sound of Music were filmed here, including when the Von Trapp children run around the Pegasus Fountain in front of the Palace singing Do Re Mi. They end the song where your tour ends on the impressive staircase with beautiful views across the gardens to Rose Hill!