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Salzburg History

Although Salzburg has its early roots in the Stone Age, the establishment of the Roman town of Juvavum around 15 BC is its traditional beginning. By the fall of Rome, it was all but abandoned, but the city was saved from ruin by St Rupert, who was gifted the site at the end of the 7th century by the Duke of Bavaria. He became the city’s bishop and is remembered today as its patron saint.

Although the city began to grow thanks to St Rupert, it wasn’t until 1077 that work began on Salzburg’s fortress, which would turn out to be one of the biggest in Europe. It became the abode of the powerful archbishops of Salzburg.

Nearly a century later, the archbishop angered the German emperor Barbarossa so much that he destroyed much of the city. In the 14th century, Salzburg gained independence from Bavaria and became a prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire, which then occupied most of central Europe. In 1492 the famous Stiegl brewery was founded, while in 1525 the peasants rioted and besieged the fortress for three months.

In the 16th century, Salzburg was greatly beautified, largely thanks to the vision of the city's most famous prince-archbishop, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. Using wealth procured through the salt trade, he built cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, elegant squares and churches, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Old Town of fabulous baroque architecture emerged.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the archbishops lost their power and Salzburg’s long independence, as the city became part of the Austrian Empire. Late in the 19th century, the city began to recover and modernise, although the Empire itself collapsed after WWI. In 1920, the iconic Salzburg Festival was founded, attracting intellectuals and elites from across Austria and Germany.

By WWII, Austria had been annexed to Nazi Germany and was often targeted during the war. In the post-war years, the city recovered fast, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

Did you know?
• Salzburg’s most famous denizen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born here in 1756. The great musical genius is known to have hated his hometown, though.
• The history of Salzburg’s iconic St Peter’s Abbey can be traced back to the end of the 7th century, and the founding of Saint Rupert, although it was built on the site of a church dating back to Roman times.
• Salzburg’s wealth was established on the back of the salt trade, with the archbishops taking over production here in the Middle Ages, but salt mining in the area dates back to the Celts.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Hotel Stein

One of the hottest hotels in town is, without doubt, Hotel Stein. Commanding terrific views of the river and reached by bridge from the Old Town, it combines sexy modernity with classic style. Boasting a history dating back to 1399, its rooms range from the glamorous to the super-chic.

Yoho

Among the cheapest digs in town, Yoho is perhaps the most unique lodging in Salzburg. The rooms are comfortable and boast impressive mountain views, while the bar is always busy with young backpackers. What’s more, The Sound of Music is screened every day at 7pm in the TV room – take that as you will.

Hotel Goldener Hirsch

The hotel of choice for celebrities and royalty over the years, the Goldener Hirsch (the Golden Stag) is a Salzburg institution. Highly exclusive yet exuding genuine hospitality, the hotel has a unique old-world atmosphere combining the rustic with the luxurious. The hotel boasts two superb restaurants and a wonderfully decorated bar.

Wolf-Dietrich Hotel

The Wolf-Dietrich Hotel comprises the Altstadthotel and the Residenz, two houses that face each other near the city centre. In addition to being very comfortable, it is also healthy and environmentally friendly, being powered only by green electricity, serving organic food in the restaurant and incorporating feng shui into the design.

Haus Wartenberg

Housed in a 400-year-old building, and furnished with antiques and homey bric-a-brac, Haus Wartenberg exudes plenty of character and charm. Rooms are snug and cosy rather than spacious, but that only adds to the warmth of the place. It's within walking distance of Salzburg's Old Town.

Hotel Bristol

Looming over the river this stately property preserves the feel of a classic 19th-century hotel. First built in 1619 it opened for guests in the late 1800s and was the first hotel to have electricity in the city – earning it the name 'Electric Hotel'. It has hosted everyone from monarchs to Sigmund Freud. Today expect a blend of traditional atmosphere with contemporary service.