SALZBURG
Bavarian Mountains Tour
We started off our sightseeing with a trip to the Bavarian Mountains on the German side. There are also some pictures from the drive to the mountains with the snow that was falling the whole day.
If you look right in the middle of the picture below, on top of the mountain, you will see the Eagle's Nest which was one of Hitler's command posts and operations center. You can normally go up the mountain to see the Eagle's Nest, but because of the weather it was closed for the season.
After the Bavarian Mountains, we went on a tour of the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. We had to wear this very fashionable Michelin tire suit, and took a train deep into the mountain. Once in the salt mines, we got to go down the miner's slide and visit the salt cathedral. We also took a ferry boat ride on the underground Mirror Lake (2nd picture).
SOUND OF MUSIC TOUR
Next is pictures from the Sound of Music tour. I will try to explain what significance each of the places had in the movie (that is I will try to remember from the tour, since I do not remember the movie - forgive me Becki!). The first place is Leopoldskron Castle, which was built in 1736. Today it is actually owned by an American Foundation, I believe one associated with Harvard University. From what I think I can remember, this was where there was a blue gate that Maria walked through and they all fell in the lake (?). The second picture is the Sound of Music Pavilion at Hellbrunn, where Liesel sings "I am 16 going on 17." The last picture is...a lake where....something happened. Okay, now I'm beginning to wonder why I even said I would attempt to tell you what significance these places had to the movie!!!
Below is the church where they filmed the wedding of the Von Trapps in the movie. It is actually the Mondsee, which was built between 1470 and 1487, and is the 2nd oldest church in Upper Austria. The church has a Baroque interior surrounded with 13 altars.
GENERAL SALZBURG PHOTOS
The symbol of the city of Salzburg is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the largest and best-preserved citadel in Europe. The construction of the fortress was started in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard. The fortress further grew and expanded into the 15th century, until it looked like it does today.
Salzburg is on the Salzach River, which is crossed by the Mozart Walking Bridge in the first picture. The second picture is just some of the houses and buildings located on the river.
Below is the Salzburg Cathedral. The first Salzburg Cathedral was built as early as 774. The current cathedral was dedicated on September 25, 1628, by Archbishop Paris Lodron to Sts Rupert and Virgil.
This is the Pferdeschwemme (Horse Pond) which was built in 1695. The horses from the archbishop's stables were washed here.
The main shopping street is called the Getreidegasse. At the end is the Blasiuskirche, Church of St. Blaise from 1350. It was built as the church for the Burgher Hospital.
The pink building below was Mozart's residence from 1773-1787; and the bronze statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart located in Mozartplatz that was unveiled in the presence of Mozart's two sons in 1842. The yellow building at No. 9 Getreidegasse, was Mozart's birthplace, where he was born on the 3rd floor on January 27, 1756.
Below is the church where the Von Trapps were actually married. It's the Nonnberg Convent church, which was founded in 700 and is the oldest convent north of the Alps. It was founded by St. Rupert on the most eastern ridge of Fortress Mountain.
PARIS
On Sunday and Monday we went to Paris. Below are just some of the highlights, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral.
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