Salzburg and The Swiss Family Robinson


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March 14th 2008
Published: March 14th 2008
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1: Children Singing in Church 31 secs
The train ride to Salzburg from Vienna took about 2.4 hours and the countryside reminded us of the California foothills. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and "The Sound of Music." I teased Kim for a few times that we were visiting the home of the Swiss Family Robinson from the Sound of Music. She corrected me pointing out that it was the Von Trapp family in the Sound of Music. I insisted that it was the Swiss family Robinson from the Sound of Music that traveled the world in a singing group and got stranded on a deserted island. I said it with a straight face, so she wasn't quite sure if I was that stupid or just confused. After a few times, she quit correcting me when she realized I was pulling her leg. When your memory starts to go, you mix similar ideas with each other, and nobody is sure whether you are really that confused or are just teasing them. You have to sound convinced to pull it off. Just say the most outrageous thing and put a "W" Bush face on.

Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting. It is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for parts of the musical and film The Sound of Music, which features famous landmarks in Austria, but focuses mainly on Salzburg. Salzburg is also a student city, with three universities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salzburg

The Salzburg Cathedral (German: Salzburger Dom) is a 17th century baroque cathedral in the city of Salzburg, dedicated to Saint Rupert of Salzburg. It is the site of Mozart's baptism. The site occupied by the Salzburg Cathedral was probably a sacred place for sacrifices in Celtic as well as Roman times. The first cathedral was built under Saint Vergilius of Salzburg, who might have used foundations by St. Rupert. The first Dom was recorded in 774. The so-called Virgil Dom was built from 767 to 774 and was 66 metres long and 33 metres wide. Archbishop Arno (785 - 821) was the first to arrange renovations of the Dom, which was in place for less than 70 years. In 842, the building burned down after being struck by lightning. Three years later, the re-erection of the building started. Under Archbishop Hartwig, a choir with a crypt was built towards West between 1000 and 1020. Under Archbishop Konrad I., the West-towers were built from 1106 to 1147. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salzburger_Dom

Salzburg Castle -- Construction of the fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. This original design was just a basic bailey with a wooden wall. In Salzburg, the Archbishops were powerful political figures, and they expanded the castle to protect their interests. The Investiture Controversy influenced the expansion of the castle, with the Salzburg Archbishops taking the side of the Pope. The castle was gradually expanded during the following centuries. The ring walls and towers were built in 1462 under Burkhard II of Weißpriach. Prince Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach further expanded the castle. The only time that the fortress came under siege was in 1525, when a group of miners, farmers and townspeople tried to oust Prince Archbishop Cardinal Matthäus Lang, but failed to take the castle. During the Thirty Years' War, Count Paris of Lodron strengthened the town's defenses, including Hohensalzburg. He added various parts to the fortress, such as the gunpowder stores and additional gatehouses. The fort was surrendered without a fight during the Napoleonic Wars. In the 19th century, it was used as a barracks, storage depot and dungeon before being abandoned as a military outpost in 1861. During the early 20th century it was used as a prison, holding Italian prisoners of war during World War I and Nazi activists (before the Anschluss with Germany) in the 1930s. It was refurbished in the 20th century and became a major tourist attraction, with a cable car, built in 1900, leading up from the town to the Hasengrabenbastei. It stands today as one of the best preserved castles in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festung_Hohensalzburg



Franciscan Church (1167 AD).




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Salzburg Castle

Ceiling in Archbishops Chamber
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Salzburg Castle

Torture Chamber
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Salzburg Castle

Salzburg Castle is on the Mountain above my right shoulder in the background.


14th March 2008

Germany
When are you guys going to Germany. I think you will love Berlin.
14th March 2008

Germany is not on our list presently. We only have a year left and 6 more vacations on this cycle and Germany does not rate in the top 6 for either of us presently. Long term we plan on visiting there just not in the next year. Any news on your travel plans for this summer? A date set?

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