Overseas Walks: A Day walking with Mozart in Salzburg

Explore the wonderful baroque city of old Salzburg in Austria, by walking in the footsteps of its most famous son and gain insights into fascinating history all in one day.

Regarded as a musical genius, and most certainly one of the world’s most prolific and influential musicians and composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a true son of Salzburg.

Morning

Start off the day with breakfast at the legendary Café Tomaselli (Alter Market). A venerable Salzburg institution, the café dates back to Mozart’s time. It is said that Wolfgang Amadeus himself was a frequent guest, however his beverage of choice was almond milk.

His widow, Konstanze, lived upstairs with her second husband for a while.

The Tomaselli is the perfect starting point to begin your stroll through Salzburg’s Old Town, which is in many ways the same as it was during Mozart’s lifetime.

Walk past the Mozart Square and take a look at the statue, erected in 1844 as the first monument dedicated to the composer.

Just around the corner, visit the Salzburg Cathedral.

Not only is the cathedral Salzburg’s most significant baroque building, it is also the church where Mozart was baptized. To the left of the entrance you will find the original baptismal font.

Later in life, in his capacity of court organist and concertmaster, Mozart composed numerous works of sacred music to be performed here.

Afterwards, walk via Alter Markt over to the Getreidegasse and visit Mozart’s Birthplace at Number 9, now one of two museums dedicated to Mozart in the city.

Mozart’s birthplace is open daily from 9 am -5.30 pm (during July and August till 7 pm).

Time for lunch at the Stiftskeller St. Peter, just a short walk away. Considered the oldest restaurant in Europe (a first historical mention dates back to 803) it offers authentic local cuisine in impressive historic surroundings.

Afternoon

What better way to start off the afternoon than with a jolt of chocolate. At Konditorei Fürst (Brodgasse 13) indulge in a box of Mozartkugeln (Mozart chocolates).

Though you can find many variations of this local delicacy around town, this is the place where patissier Paul Fürst invented this world famous creation - a pistachio marzipan center hand-dipped into dark chocolate nougat. It is still individually produced at Konditorei Fürst.

Afterwards, walk on the Staatsbrücke across the Salzach River to the Mozart Residence, on Makartplatz 8, where the Mozart family moved in 1773 and which is now the second museum dedicated to Mozart in Salzburg.

Then head over to the Bibliotheca Mozartiana (Schwarzstrasse 26) which contains about 35,000 titles and is the most extensive Mozart library in the world.

Evening

Naturally your evening should include either a concert of the Mozarteum, or a performance of a Mozart Opera at the world famous Salzburg Marionette Theater.

Enjoy a late-night dinner at the upscale Hotel Sacher, or go for local fare at cozy local beer tavern, the Fideler Affe.

Above left: Austrians go in for colourful eggs in a big way as decorations. Above right: Horse drawn carriages in old Salzburg. Above; Colourful images in a Mozart Museum. Below left: A colourful monument. Below right: The quaint shops in old Salzburg.

Above: A colourfull court yard with the cathedral in the centre of the photo. Below left: Looking towards Hohensalzburg Castle sitting atop the Festungsberg, a small hill in the Austrian city of Salzburg.

Above left: Inside the Salzburg cathedral. Above right: A couple outside Mozart’s birthplace. Middle left: The highly ornate altar in Salzburg Cathedral. Below left: Mozart chocolate boxes are popular with tourists. Below right: A variety of...