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Flood gates on the Salzach River
These are huge concrete affairs built to control the river levels What a great day! Not only was the weather warm, sunny and calm, but we also had a varied and interesting day.
We got bikes from the Pension and biked along the Salzach River to Anthering. The Salzach is still thundering along with flood water but it seems to have dropped 2 to 3 metres from it's flood height. The bike paths are fantastic, smooth (mostly) and dedicated to cyclists only and there were heaps of cyclists out and about. They were all shapes and sizes, all ages, wore all sorts of clothing and only a smattering of the lycra brigade and helmets. Anthering is a small village about 15kms from Salzburg. We weren't sure what trail we were taking from there but after panting our way up a long steep hill (like the Beulah Ridge hill but 5 times as long) we decided enough was enough and headed back towards the city and a picnic along the river. It was great to be on bikes and out in the countryside again. I should mention here that Lindsay has finally broken his record of not falling off his bike. He has a nice ankle bruise to show for it 😊
For the afternoon we decided to visit Hellbrun with it's trick fountains, ponds and palace to view. It is about 15km out from Salzburg set in a huge park with formal Italian style gardens, many ponds and what I'd call "follies". But without the follies we wouldn't have something so interesting to visit 400 years later. The Hellbrun Palace and garden was built in 1612 by Archbishop Markus Sittikus, in an area with ready access to a good water source. The water was the central theme to the palace's design and hidden in the gardens around the building are many water features with tricks, created to give any visiting person a sudden dowsing of water, either out of a seat that they could be sitting on, from the side of the path as they walked past, or on their heads while departing a building or grotto. As well as this there were grottos of man made limestone, statues of Greek Gods, and weird little animals or other embellishments. There were also models made that were driven by water power. Even a model structure with a stage setting involving everyone from a village - peasants, craftsmen, farmers, actors, millers, priests
The castle at Hellbrun gardens
The gardens and park are stunning and consist of many follies and fancies and dignitaries - all going about their business in small scale, driven by water power. Amazing. (See Wikipedia for better details). The Archbishop must surely had fun entertaining his guests. However, I do question how an Archbishop came to have such huge funds available to build a palace for himself and in such opulence. I also gather that he had a number of children. A priest? An Archbishop? I thought they were supposed to be celebate.
We then toured the Palace and admired the art collection, the views, the frescos, and rooms. It was a fascinating, amusing, and amazing place to visit. A "must do" if visiting Salzburg. A beer in a shady place was then called for before heading back to the city by bus.
We alighted the bus in the Old Town and couldn't believe what was happening in the city. Just about everyone in Salzburg was in Town. It was alive with activity. There were stalls everywhere and many bars and food places set up for the crowds throughout the many squares/piazzas. It was music heaven. First a Jazz band, along further, Trad Jazz, then a Rock Band, a Blues Band, and guitar soloist doing
One of the many sculptures
There are mythical sculptures all through the gardens some bluesy stuff. In the Basilica an organ recitation was happening with a choir. We had an icecream with a classical guitarist playing. On the way back through town was a clarinettist. Markets were still operating at 7pm. It was just fantastic. People were really enjoying themselves and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves people watching and being entertained, all for nothing. It really fitted with the TTAT's philosophy (for those in the know).
This has been a most enjoyable day of a variety of activities and entertainment. It's also our last day here. Salzburg is worth a visit even for people like us who prefer a nice quiet country lifestyle.
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