Salzburg and the Hof

Although all of the folks working in Europe with D and on the weekend get away were free to do whatever they wanted to, it was fun seeing things together as a group. Therefore, we wound up doing most activities together. We broke up in little groups (sometimes couples) but always came back together at least for dinner. It is a great group of people and it was fun to get to know them, and many of their spouses/significant others as well.

After the great castle tour, a trip to Salzburg sounded great, so we decided to jump on a train and head just south of the German border to this beautiful Austrian town.


Salzburg has many famous citizens, but the best known world-wide is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). He was born in this house (the helpful sign on the building announces it for anyone to see, incase they didn't know.) Mozart was a prolific and influential composer during the Classical era. He composed over six hundred works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers.


Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood in Salzburg. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty; at seventeen he was engaged as a court musician in Salzburg, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position, always composing abundantly. His birth place has been turned into a museum celebrating his life and achievement.


Salzburg is an ancient city. The first settlements at Salzburg were apparently begun by the Celts. Around 15 BC the separate settlements were merged into one city by the Romans. At this time the city was called Juvavum and was awarded the status of a Roman municipium in 45 AD. Juvavum developed into an important town of the Roman province of Noricum. Juvavum declined sharply after the collapse of the Norican frontier, such that by the late 7th century it had become a "near ruin."


The name Salzburg literally means "Salt Castle", and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century, as was customary for many communities and cities on European rivers. The Festung Hohensalzburg, the city's fortress, was built in 1077 and expanded during the following centuries. It presides beautifully over the city and is well worth the energetic 20 minute hike up the mountainside to take in the view. Our view was blocked a bit by the blizzard conditions, but it created other lovely sites that we tried to capture on film (somewhat successfully.)


Once we made it down again, D decided that the Austrian/Bavarian style boiled wool hat was a great idea. (It was downright cold, and the idea of a nice warm, and stylish, hat sounded good.) His coworker had encouraged the idea when he purchased one, so I thought I would document their efforts to blend in with the locals.


Our last meal in Munich was enjoyed at the Hofbraeuhaus, and we enjoyed the experience as well as the food. The Hofbraeuhaus is actually a brewery (although now has a substantial restaurant as well), owned by the state government. The Hof (court) comes from the brewery's history as the royal brewery to the Prince of Bavaria. It is because of this royal connection that you will see the crown as a part of their crest. If you look carefully on the glasses in the above picture, you will see it. [One interesting aside about these mugs: if they look big to you, that is because they are. A glass like this is called a Mass and it is a full liter of liquid. If you go into the Hofbraeuhaus and order a beer, this is what you will get. You have to ask specifically for a small glass in order to get less. Also, this brewery has wheat beer, dark beer and pilsner, but they are all and only from this brewery. No options here.]


The Hofbraeuhaus is a perennial tourist favorite - it is almost synonymous with Munich, and no more so than in September-October time when they host the largest Volksfest (People's Festival) in the World. The original Theresienwiese festival grounds). Although there were other activities at the original Oktoberfest, it is predominantly drinking now in huge temporary "beer gardens" in the form of tents. I have heard that the line for the bathroom is not pretty.


All year round, this famous brewery has a great traditional Bavarian band play on the ground floor bar (that serves limited food - bar snacks really). After we finished our fabulous German fare upstairs, we ventured down to embrace the true tourist experience. The band was great, the hall was CROWDED, and the most enthusiastic singing was done (when the band was on break and they had a CD playing) to The Beatles "Yellow Submarine." Good stuff.