On our latest trip to Europe with Viking Cruises, we had to make a stop in Salzburg, Austria to check out some of the spots where the revered musical movie “The Sound of Music” was filmed. The 1965 film follows the life of a governess named Maria (Julie Andrews) who finds herself in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, the Von Trapps. The storyline is based on a real family from Salzburg who created a singing group called the Trapp Family. The group was active from 1935 to 1957 and was regarded as one of the best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II.
The 1965 film received five Academy Awards and received a Golden Globe, making it one of America’s favorite musical drama films. Multiple scenes from the film were recorded in a Hollywood studio but many were filmed right in the heart of Salzburg. Palaces, cathedrals, city squares, and a convent are among the filming locations where the scenery of Salzburg made its way to the big screen.
Mirabell Palace
The Mirabell Palace and Gardens, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the 17th century to house Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, his mistress Salome Alt, and their 15 children. Years later, new owner Prince-Archbishop Franz Anton Harrach reconstructed the site as a baroque palace complex. Today, the Mirabell Palace houses the offices of the Salzburg mayor and the municipal administration.
The gardens on site were strategically and geometrically situated and are decorated with mythological statues and beautiful flowers and shrubbery. Behind the Palace in the gardens is a Pegasus fountain. The figure made of copper was forged in 1661. Originally, the fountain sat in many squares around Old Town Salzburg until it was placed at Mirabell in 1913.
In the film, Maria and the Von Trapp children dance around the garden’s Pegasus fountain, singing the song “Do-Re-Mi”. As the scene comes to an end, the Trapp family line up on the steps leading to the rose hill for the song’s finale. The unique view through the Mirabell Garden to the Palace has since become world-famous.
The gardens can be visited by guests from 6 a.m. until dusk and some areas of the palace are available for viewing during select times that can be found on the palace’s website. Admission to all areas for guests is free.
St. Peter’s Cemetery
Located at the foot of the Festungberg mountains with Hohensalzburg Castle is St. Peter’s Abbey. The Abbey was founded in the 7th century and is considered the oldest monastery still in existence in the Germanic area. The building’s impressive architecture and quiet location draws thousands of tourists each year. On site is a small but famously filled cemetery and catacomb built into the side of the mountain. The cemetery is the oldest one in Austria still in use. At first, only priests and monks were buried here until 1454 when families and famous personalities were welcomed in.
In the film, you actually see a Hollywood studio recreation of the St. Peter’s cemetery instead of the real thing. The replica of the cemetery and catacombs was expertly crafted on a stage for the scene when the Nazis were searching for the Von Trapps who hid behind the tombstones. St. Peter’s Church is also visible in the opening scene of the movie.
The cemetery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 or 8:00 p.m. depending on the season. The Abbey is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. while the catacombs are open daily for two portions of the day at varying times that can be found online. A small fee is required for admission to the catacombs but visiting any other part of St. Peter’s is free.
Notable Locations
Other locations in Salzburg set the scene for “The Sound of Music,” especially the Schloss Leopoldskron. The recognizable white bandstand and areas of the palace park are featured in the film. Its ornate interior decor and architecture were replicated on a Hollywood stage. Once a castle, the building is now an exclusive hotel and popular event venue. Visitors can take guided tours that explain the history of the castle and its role in the film. The hotel also offers special packages and a Sound of Music tour.
Other cities and locations that are featured in the film include: St. Gilgen, Wolfgangsee Lake, Nonnberg Convent, Mondsee Basilica, Hellbrunn Palace, Leopoldskron Palace, Frohnburg Palace, and the iconic Mehlweg mountain where Maria sings her opening song. While it would be hard to visit every single location featured in the film, there are tours offered by Salzburg that can take you to many of them. Multiple tour experiences are available for purchase online before your time in Salzburg. A popular and well known tour in the city is The Original Sound of Music Tour.