I'd Rather Be in Europe: Funiculars are fun!

We got to sleep in a bit again today. It was a pretty drive from the hotel into downtown Salzburg where we met our city guide Ruth. She was dressed in the traditional dirndl so that was fun.

We started in the Mirabel Gardens and learned that the palace and gardens were built by the Arch Duke for his love. She in turn gave him 15 children. We also learned that Salzburg was a principality. The Mirabell Gardens are beautifully formal and well kept. You would recognize them because this is where they filmed the famous “Do Re Me” song from the Sound of Music.

We then crossed the river into the old town and found the Geidestrasse or guild street. This was the street where all the craftsmen practiced their trade. It is a beautiful but crowded street with guild signs hanging above every building. In the very center is the birthplace home of Mozart. We obviously need to do a bit more educating in our meetings. Some of the kids were unfamiliar with his significance and music.

We passed through more narrow streets and through the market square on our way to the Monastery of St. Peter, the longest functioning monastery north of the Alps. We passed through to the cemetery which looks familiar as well. I had been told previously that this is where they filmed the escape scene from the Sound of Music when they hide behind iron gates and Rolf finds them. I learned today that isn’t true. The monks wouldn't allow a film crew in such a sacred place so they created a replica in Hollywood and filmed there instead.

Ruth stopped by a special grave before we left. The only American buried in a place reserved for the old established families of Salzburg - Harold Collins. This man's troops liberated Salzburg from Nazi occupation. His regiment stayed to assist in the reconstruction and Ruth’s husband says his family would not have survived without the care packages that came from the Americans during that time. “Hollywood Harry” (his nickname because he was handsome) married a girl from Salzburg and returned to the U.S. but after retirement moved back to Salzburg and upon his death was given a place of honor in the cemetery to recognize his great service to the city.

After the tour came free time and the kids as usual put their own spin on it. Some just walked the town, some shopped, some rented bikes and rode all over exploring the town. Stephen played chess in the square (they have a ½ life size set there) for almost 2 hours. They all ate lunch.

Then was Hoensalzburg Fortress. It sits high on a rocky hill overlooking the city and the best way up is a funicular. This is a cross between a train and a tram and uses a cog wheel system to pull the car up the mountain. The fortress was begun in the early 1100’s and was built and rebuilt several times. The Arch Dukes used the fortress to protect the city and to store huge reserves of salt. They also on occasion used it as the state residence.