The hills are alive… with the sound of Maria and the von Trapps!
Located in a northern corner of Austria, Salzburg nowadays is known for two main things: being the birthplace of Mozart, and being one of the main filming locations for The Sound of Music.
The Sound of Music was filmed both in Salzburg and the surrounding area, as well as in Hollywood on a 20th Century Fox Studios stage (mainly indoor scenes). But, they filmed a great deal of content in Salzburg because it was where the real von Trapp family lived and they wanted to make the movie feel as real as possible.
However, real is used loosely here, as it is for many Hollywood films. The von Trapp house in the movie was not their real house, nor was the Baron as cold as he was portrayed (something that the real von Trapp family took great issue with). Additionally, the children’s names, ages, and genders were switched around to fit the script.
As a result, although The Sound of Music can be seen in all corners of Salzburg, locals don’t care much for it, nor have many even seen it.
A Tip – The Sound of Music bus tour does go to many of these locations, but not all of them.
Old Town Salzburg (Or Close Enough)
These are places you can walk to if you’re in or near the Old Town, providing you’re fit enough for a few hills.
The Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Better known as the end location for the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ song, this palace used to be the home of royalty (and their mistresses) but now is the seat of the mayor of Salzburg. Due to the building’s striking Baroque features, as well as the beauty of the extensive surrounding gardens, this venue is a popular wedding destination.
In The Sound of Music you’ll see Maria and the children running through the arched trellis, marching alongside the fountains, and ending the song on the steps leading to the garden with a final, “so, do!”
Residenzplatz Square
If you don’t recognize the square, you’ll certainly recognize the fountain. It’s in The Sound of Music more than once. For example, it’s one of the places where Maria sings ‘I Have Confidence,’ as well as one of the places where she and the von Trapp children sing ‘Do-Re-Mi.’
This square is one of the oldest parts of Salzburg and is a central spot in the Old Town where many events are held.
St. Peter’s Abbey/Cemetery
This Abbey can be seen in the movie through wide shots of Salzburg, but it is also best known for being the inspiration for where Maria and the von Trapps hid from the Nazis. What do I mean by this? Well, producers chose not to film there in person and instead recreated the cemetery in Hollywood. The two look pretty similar, but not identical.
Fun Fact – This Abbey is one of the oldest in all of the Germanic-speaking countries.
Nonnberg Abbey
Many scenes took place here, as it was the Abbey where Maria lived and fled to after she realized that she had feelings for the Baron. This Abbey IS, in fact, where the real Maria lived as a novice.
The church and garden/cemetery are open to all every day, except for during services. Although the Abbey is best known for The Sound of Music, it should perhaps be known most for its exceptional choir, who sing every morning.
Summer Riding School
Also known as Felsenreitschule, this is where the famous music festival in the end of the movie was held. It’s where Maria and the von Trapps sang while Nazis stared at them from all corners and is also where they escaped from them.
Karajan Square/The ‘Horse Pond’
Seen when Maria and the von Trapp children take a carriage ride through the city, the square was named after a famous Salzburg conductor (Herbert von Karajan), who founded multiple festivals in Salzburg. The pond was designed with horses as a reflection of what the area was commonly used for – to wash parade horses.
On The Outskirts
You could maybe walk to the Hellbrunn Palace and the Leopoldskron Palace (although Hellbrunn would be a long trek), but Church Mondsee is not within walking distance to the Old Town.
Hellbrunn Palace
Some singing scenes took place here, but it’s now better known as the location where the gazebo was relocated to! And yes, THAT gazebo. The one where Maria and the Baron kissed for the first time, where ‘Something Good’ was sung, and where Liesl and Rolf danced and sung to ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen.’
Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus built this palace as a summer day-residence of leisure and fun. As such, the grounds are beautiful and spacious, but the palace itself had no bedrooms. It is also well-known for its ‘trick fountains,’ which are hidden waterworks that spray unknown passersby.
Leopoldskron Palace
Now a hotel, this was the house of the von Trapp family. And no, they won’t let you in without a reservation. But you CAN sneak around the side of the lake and see the backside of the house.
This sneaking actually works out, as this location was only used for the outside shots of the house. Think when they’re on the terrace, or walking up to the house after falling in the lake – those sorts of scenes.
However, keep in mind, this was the filming location for the von Trapp house, not their house in real life. This house, now hotel, is much grander than the actual von Trapp house.
The real history of this place is born within royalty, as it was a family residence for the Prince-Archbishops for a time. Then, after years of neglect, the famous Max Reinhardt bought the structure and renovated it to be a center for the arts. Nowadays, as said above, the palace is used as a hotel and meeting place.
Church Mondsee
Better known as – the church where the Baron and Maria get married right before intermission.
This church (founded on old Roman ruins), is not actually where the real Baron and Maria got married (that was Nonnberg Abbey where Maria lived as a novice). However, the studio decided to use a different church to fit their grander idea of what the wedding should look like in the film.
Fun Fact (that has nothing to do with the location or The Sound of Music) – my sister and I saw Lizzie from The Great British Baking Show with her family here.
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