Some people say that if you haven't visited Hohensalzburg Fortress, you haven't seen Salzburg. After all, the over 1,000-year-old castle complex is considered the landmark of the city of Mozart for good reason. Once upon a time, the mighty prince archbishop controlled the fate of the country behind its proud walls. Today, the fortress invites visitors on an exciting and entertaining journey through Salzburg's history. There is so much to discover above the rooftops of the UNESCO-protected old town: from the famous Fürstenzimmer to the Panoramatour, a journey to the highest point of the city. In 2024, families and young adults in particular can look forward to a whole host of new highlights.
New in 2024: even more adventures for families
Fun, games and history is the motto of the Fortress Games, an interactive adventure tour for young and old that was recently inaugurated. Equipped with a lovingly designed game set, visitors go on a journey of discovery through the castle. There are lots of tricky tasks to solve and seven game stations where skill and brains are required: from a duel with the blacksmith to pulling the rope on the Salzburg bull.
Salzburg Castles & Palaces
Special tours and events for families
The range of family-friendly special tours and events has also been greatly expanded again in 2024: New, for example, is a family tour with Easter crafts and an Easter egg race in the castle courtyard (March 28 to 30). Or a child-friendly torchlight tour around Halloween (October 30 and 31). The popular medieval festival on September 7 and 8 is already in its third year. The highly successful special tours for families with changing themes and the public family tours on the third Sunday of every month will also continue in 2024.
From sword-fighting workshops to after-work chillers
Young adults and students will also find even more tailored offers at Hohensalzburg Fortress from 2024: The program includes a Photo Spots Tour for students (27 February, 5 March, 24 September, 7 October), a sword-fighting workshop for first-semester students (8 October), a table football tournament (26 April) and the Cheers! After Work Special (March 13 and November 13).
The wide range of special tours is rounded off by new and already familiar themed formats such as the evening tours (July and August, always on Thursdays), a fortress roast on Raunacht (December 27), the anniversary tour in the Romanesque Chapel (November 20) or a solstice tour (June 19).
Everyman & Fortress Advent: event highlights at the castle
Of course, the tried and tested events are not neglected either: annual highlights include Jedermann in the castle courtyard (July & August) or the fortress concerts (daily). An insider tip among locals is the Salzburg Fortress Advent: the authentic Christmas market offers Salzburg handicrafts, regional delicacies and a romantic Christmas atmosphere on the Advent weekends. Visitors can also enjoy a cup of mulled wine or punch and the magnificent view over Salzburg's old town. All dates and special tours can be found at www.festung-hohensalzburg.at.
Served for ages, never destroyed: experience Salzburg's landmark
Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest castle complexes dating back to the 11th century and has never been destroyed in its eventful history. This is why it offers visitors today unique historical insights that reach far back into the Middle Ages: The so-called "Hohe Stock" with its magnificent princely rooms is particularly impressive. With the "Golden Parlor" and the elaborately designed tiled stove, these are among the most beautiful late Gothic secular rooms in Europe. In the lovingly designed Magic Theater, visitors to the Princes' Rooms embark on a fascinating journey through time in the footsteps of the builder Leonhard von Keutschach. With music, light effects and video installations, it is an experience for all the senses and captivates children and adults alike.
Panoramic tour: delve deep and soar high
The tour of the fortress is a fixed point of every visit. The previous audio guide tour was recently replaced by a completely redesigned panoramic tour. The highlights of this interactive tour include a large 3D salt model of the old town and an ingenious horn mechanism that allows visitors to play the melodies of the Salzburg bull themselves. The panoramic tour is complemented by lovingly designed mechanical peep boxes, where children can playfully immerse themselves in the history of the building and Salzburg's world of legends.
Museums at the fortress
In addition to the highlights mentioned above, Hohensalzburg Fortress is also home to a whole range of exciting museums. For example, the Rainer Regimental Museum and the Fortress Museum are located on the Salzburg landmark. The current exhibition in the historic armory sheds new light on the fortress's defenses. It tells the story of the fortress's guns, armor and hand weapons. Using interactive models, visitors can try out the various possibilities of attack and defense on a medieval castle complex for themselves.
Salzburg Castles & Palaces
The right ticket for every occasion
With over one million visitors a year, Hohensalzburg Fortress is Salzburg's most popular attraction. Various ticket options are available to meet the needs of all visitors: The all-inclusive ticket is the best choice for all visitors who want to make the most of everything the landmark has to offer. A separate option for those in a hurry has been created in the form of the inexpensive panorama ticket. It is available from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is aimed specifically at guests who come primarily for the view and want to enjoy the special atmosphere in the morning and evening. It is available in the high season from May 1 to September 30 and includes the ascent and descent on the fortress cable car, a visit to the castle grounds with courtyards and bastions as well as the new panoramic tour. To avoid waiting times at the ticket office, Hohensalzburg Fortress offers an attractive online ticket.
General information about visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress
Hohensalzburg Fortress is open all year round, 365 days a year. The fortress train runs every 10 minutes, and it takes around 20 minutes to walk up to the fortress through the barrier arches, the mayor's gate and the outer courtyard. Guests can enjoy culinary delights in the castle restaurant and the castle tavern, which can also be hired for celebrations. The fortress concerts take place in the Fürstenzimmer. Hohensalzburg Fortress can be visited free of charge with the Salzburg Card. Visitors have access to free Wi-Fi and an informative website with a "Comic & Guide".
January 1 to December 31, 2024
www.festung-hohensalzburg.at
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