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Turist Information - Salzburg Hotel Start



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History & stories

Salzburg is proud of its past. As an ecclesiastical principality which enjoyed the exclusive status of beeing responsible to the Emperor directly, Salzburg was ruled by archbishops, uniting both secular and ecclesiastical power. The modern city is located on the site of Roman Juvavum, a settlement which grew up on one of the major military roads of the ancient world. After the collapse of Rome, centuries passed until, in 696, Bishop Rupert founded the city anew. The face of the contemporary Salzburg, dominated by the baroque majesty of the old city, was created in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was then that the Prince-archbishops Wolf Dietrich, Markus Sittikus and Paris Lodron realized their major building programmes, thereby leaving an indelible mark on the architecture of the city.Even today, over one hundred churches, castles and palaces bear witness to the power of the Salzburg archbishops.

In 1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg's greatest son, was born here. 1842 saw the erection of a monument to him in what is today Mozart square. It was not until 1816 that the Kronland Salzburg became part of the Habsburg Empire. The founding of the Salzburg Festival in the early years of this century brought new creative energy to the city, a stimulation still felt to this day. The years following World War II saw Salzburg develop into one of Austria's leading trade centres. At the same time the city became one of the most popular tourist venues in the country. In 1964 the world famous film "The Sound of Music" was made in Salzburg. To this day numerous visitors wanting to see the film locations for themselves flock to the city. The Festival continues a long tradition of acting as a major stimulus to the cultural life of the city. Salzburg is proud to offer theatre, concerts and art on a par with the major cities of the world. Alongside the sensitively renovated old city, contemporary Salzburg is also a modern city. As an administrative centre it also provides services for a whole region. Nor has modern architecture been neglected in Salzburg; recent years have seen the creation of a number of impressive buildings which have brought the city international recognition. The many tourists visiting Salzburg today will find here a selection of first class hotels and restaurants meeting the highest international standards. Salzburg's old city is famed as beeing Austria's most attractive shopping centre. And as far as specialist trade-fairs in Austria are concerned, the city of Mozart also enjoys pride of place.


General Information of Salzburg


Things that are different in Salzburg

  • Adapter plugs and converters Austrian plugs have two round prongs and the electricity is 230 volts. Lamps need only an adapter plug and a European lightbulb to function here (although American halogen lamps won't work and bayonet-style bulbs for British lamps are not available). For small appliances (e.g., convertible shavers, blow dryers), buy adapter and converter plugs, which are available at luggage or travel stores (and at Radio Shack in the United States).

  • Transformers (for those coming from countries with 110-volt AC) These are available in Salzburg but are much cheaper in the United States. For example, you can buy a 1,000-watt transformer for about $ 100 there, while it can cost $ 300 in Salzburg. If your transformers are fused, buy extra fuses. You can often buy used transformers from people moving back to the United States. (Lists are posted at international schools, the American Women's Association (AWA) office and embassy and U.N. bulletin boards.)

    Geography

    Austria is a predominantly mountainous, landlocked Central European country, with an area of 32,367 mi2/83,855 km2, a size somewhat larger than the U.S. state of Maine. Austria borders no fewer than eight other countries: Italy, Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia (former Yugoslavia). The capital, Salzburg, lies on the Danube (Donau) River, partly surrounded by the hills of the Salzburg Woods (Wienerwald).

    Austria is divided into nine federal provinces (Bundeslnder):

    Vienna (Wien) Lower Austria (Niedersterreich) Upper Austria (Obersterreich) Salzburg (Salzburg) Carinthia (Krnten) Tyrol (Tirol) Vorarlberg (Vorarlberg) Styria (Steiermark) Burgenland (Burgenland) Population Austria's population is growing toward eight million, with about 1.54 million people, approximately 20 percent of the total population, living in Salzburg (on one half of one percent of the country's area). Ninetytwo percent of Austrians are German-speaking and the country has a diverse ethnic mix. It includes six officially recognized ethnic groups: Croats, Czechs, Hungarians, Roma/Sinti, Slovaks and Slovenes. Austria also has a significant number of immigrants from other countries, many of them refugees from the former Yugoslavia. Although about 78 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, there are 11 other officially recognized religions in Austria.

    Climate

    Austria enjoys a Central European climate that varies considerably from the Alpine region to the eastern plain. Summers can be hot, humid and long; cold winters bring snow and ice. The average annual precipitation ranges from 700 mm - 2,000 mm, depending on altitude and location. Snow on the mountains in spring and autumn is not uncommon, and Salzburg itself can be quite windy at any time of year.

    Government & Politics

    Austria is a democratic, federal republic governed under the constitution of 1920 and subsequent reform and amendments thereof, which provide a clear division of power among the legislative, executive and judical branches of government. The legislative power rests with the Austrian Parliament that consists of the National Council (Nationalrat) with 183 members elected by popular vote according to proportional representation for a four-year term, the Federal Council (Bundesrat) with, at present, 64 members chosen by the provincial legislature (Landtag) in proportion to the population of each province, and the Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung), made up of both councils. Executive power is exercised by the federal president (Bundesprsident), who is elected every six years by popular vote, and by the government, which is headed by the federal chancellor (Bundeskanzler), the vice chancellor (Vizekanzler) and the council of ministers (Ministerrat). The judical system is composed of three supreme courts: the Supreme Constitutional Court (Oberster Verfassungsgerichtshof), the Supreme Administrative Court (Oberster Verwaltungsgerichtshof) and the Supreme Judical Court (Oberster Gerichtshof).

    Customs

    There are restrictions on what you can bring into Austria from other countries. Depending on the products involved, the limits may be a general monetary limit per person or they may be a quantity limit on individual products. The customs guidelines also depend on whether you're coming from another EU-member state or from a non-EU country.

    Holidays , Festivals

    Austria is a Roman Catholic country, so many of its holidays are related to the church calendar. Stores are closed each Sunday. To help you avoid being caught without essentials because stores are officially closed, the following is a list (with explanations) of Austrian public holidays.

    • January 1: New Year's Day (Neujahr)
      The traditional Vienna Philharmonic Concert, featuring the music of the Strausses, begins a 11 AM. If you want to attend, you must order tickets from a ticket agency at least a year in advance, or you can stay home and watch the live worldwide TV broadcast as you recover from the previous right's celebrating. Stores are closed.
    • January 6: Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)
      On Epiphany and preceding days, young people dressed as the Three Wise Men with a star bearer go from house to house to bring good tidings and news of Christ's birth. On behalf of local Roman Catholic parishes, they collect monetary donations for underdeveloped countries (but appreciate a small gift of cookies or chocolate). Usually they'll write CMB, which means "Christus mansionem benedicat" (May Christ bless this house), and the year above the front door. Stores are closed.
    • Carnival (Fasching)
      Fasching in Austria begins on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the moment the new (Heuriger) wine becomes old (alt), and ends with Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). Girls might find ball gowns under the tree at Christmas. Vienna becomes our little-girl-dreams-come-true each year when the city's sumptuous palaces and hotels become the venues for throngs of beautifully dressed couples waltzing the night away. The ball season starts with the New Year's Eve Imperial Ball (Kaiserball) at the Hofburg and officially lasts until Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). But in reality, you may attend a ball as early as November and as late as June. Almost every group or profession has one: Kaffeehaus owners, pastry chefs (Zuckerbäcker), lawyers, florists, doctors, criminal investigators and hunters. Even schools and Kindergartens have balls. The Opera Ball in February is the pinnacle of the Vienna ball seasons, so tickets are at a premium, both in availability and price. A complete brochure listing all of Vienna's balls in available in mid-November at the Vienna Tourist Board.
    • Lent (Fastenzeit)
      Though neither Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag) nor Good Friday (Karfreitag) are public holidays, stores and offices may close early. Rosenmontag is really more a German holiday than Austrian, but you may see store clerks wearing funny hats. Good Friday is a serious day of fasting for most Roman Catholics. During the last two weeks of the Lenten season (Fastenzeit), Easter markets (Ostermärkte) appear in many districts throughout the city. You will find a huge variety of hand-blown decorated eggs, wooden toys and other handicrafts. On Palm Sunday, priests bless decorated pussy willow branches (Palmkatzerl, Palmkätzchen), symbols of rebirth and renewal, which are placed in special corners of people's homes.
    • Easter (Ostern)
      Easter is observed both Sunday and Monday in Austria. Beautiful music is performed in the churches. Many stores and offices are closed from mid-afternoon Good Friday until the following Tuesday, though these customs are changing. Austrian schools are closed Monday and Tuesday.
    • May 1: Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit)
      There are parades at the Rathausplatz and Ringstrasse, which is closed to traffic. Stores are closed.
    • Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt)
      Christi Himmelfahrt is always on a Thursday and nine days prior to Pentecost/Whitsun. Stores are closed.
    • Mother's Day (Muttertag)
      This always occurs on the second Sunday in May. Reserve early for a restaurant!
    • Pentecost/Whitsun (Pfingsten)
      This holiday is 50 days after Easter. Stores closed Monday. Austrian schools are also closed Tuesday. On Whitmonday, the Whitsun Kings in Arbesthal, southeast of Vienna, wear hazelnut branches in homage to spring.
    • Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)
      This is the second Thursday after Whitsunday. The procession on the Ringstrasse in the center of Vienna is famous. The emperor used to march behind the bishop and the Host, which was encased in a precious shrine called a monstrance and carried to the Graben. This memento of the more ornate pageantry of the past can now be seen in the Treasury. Processions are held in every church, churchyard or lake in every parish from St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) to the tiny chapel in Salmannsdorf. Stores are closed.
    • August 15: Assumption Day/Ascension (Mariähimmelfahrt)
      This day is in commemoration of the Virgin Mary's ascension into Heaven. Stores are closed.
    • October 26: Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag)
      This holiday commemorates the day in 1955 when the last WWII troops left Austria. It has become a patriotic "fitness day", as many people all over Austria take long walks. The Parliament building and all national museums are open and visits are free to the public. Stores are closed.
    • November 1 & 2: All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day (Allerheiligen und Allerseelen)
      All stores and schools are closed; on the second, only schools are closed. Austrians visit the graves of loved ones to light candles and lay wreaths or dried-flower arrangements. Additional public-transportation routes are provided to the cemeteries.
    • November 11: St. Martin's Day (Martinstag)
      This is not a public holiday. It is the beginning of Fasching, when traditional meals of roast goose (Martinigansl) are eaten. Children may make paper or wood lanterns, parade with them and sing.
    • Advent
      Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The rich Austrian Advent traditions include the special magic of the Advent Christmas Markets (Christkindlmärkte), which may open as early as the middle of November. While the large and colorful market at City Hall (Rathaus) is the best known, other markets are also well worth a visit. For a complete list and more information about Advent markets in Vienna, ask for the annual "Wiener Adventzauber" pamphlet (in English and German) at the Vienna Tourist Board. Also be sure to see the annual nativity scene/crche (Krippen) display at St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche), just off the Graben. Each year more than 150 families lend their handmade Krippen for the exhibit. Go early. The display ends December 15, when the Krippen are returned to the families.
    • December 4: St. Barbara's Day (Barbaratag)
      This is not a public holiday. Branches of cherry and apple trees are cut and placed in water to bloom by Christmas.
      At a time when Christians were persecuted, St. Barbara von Nicodemia was imprisoned in a tower by her own father because she refused to renounce the Christian faith. As for the blossoming branches, there are two different versions of the legend. According to the first one, branches Barbara had broken from a tree outside her window started to blossom in the dark tower. Alternatively, Barbara is said to have drawn strength from the Eucharist while she was locked up in her tower, which enabled her to live through the dark times.
      The end of the legend, however, is always the same: Barbara's father handed her over to the Romans and even took an active part in her execution.
      Today, the blossoms are a symbol of the hope and the sense of anticipation associated with Christmas.
    • December 6: St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag)
      This is not an official holiday, but the day when white-robed St. Nicholas and his mischievous evil-spirit companion, Krampus, wander the streets. They usually reward Austrian children for the prvious year's behavior.
    • December 8: Immaculate Conception (Mariä Empfängnis)
      Though this is an official holiday, stores are open.
    • December 24: Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend)
      Stores close in the afternoon and don't reopen until December 27. Christmas is celebrated with a festive meal and distribution of presents provided by the Christ child (Christkind). While Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann) has taken over as gift giver in some homes, many families maintain the old tradition. Theaters, cinemas and concert halls are closed, but there is a Christmas concert at City Hall (Rathaus) in the early afternoon. Roman Catholics celebrate the day with midnight Mass, the culmination of which is the singing of "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht").
    • December 25: Christmas Day (Christtag)
      This is a holy day for resting, going to church and visiting family. Traditionally, friends and relatives are invited to eat roast goose.
    • December 26: St. Stephen's Day (Stefanitag)
    • December 31: New Year's Eve (Silvester)
      Most stores close early in the afternoon. The heartiest of Viennese celebrants gather at Stephansplatz and wait for the church bell to ring. (Watch out for people opening shaken champagne bottles and tossing them, or firecrackers, or placing firecrackers in loose garments.) Fireworks are traditional and may be bought by anyone over 18. Also part of the festivities are performances of "Die Fledermaus" at the opera houses. (If you are interested in attending, order tickets very early. Sometimes a few may be found at the last minute, but, as is always the case, at extraordinary prices.) The Kaiserball is held at the Hofburg palace. Outside on the streets is a bigger party with snacks, drinks, music and cabaret under festive tents throughout the city. It is customary to give relatives and friends good-luck charms for the New Year, which are usually marzipan pigs, clovers, chimney sweeps and mushrooms sold at stands at the New Year's markets that appear a day or so before at the Rathaus, Schottenkirche and Stephansplatz.



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