Salzburg

A view of Salzburg, Austria, from the right bank of the Salzach River. Three wooded hills surround the city which was once the Roman town of Juvavum.

Decorative piano on display in the Mozart Museum, Salzburg, Austria, where the composer was born.

The altar of St Georgskirche in Salzburg, Austria.

Capital of the federal state of Salzburg, west Austria, on the River Salzach; population (1995) 142,000. There are textile industries, and stock rearing, dairy farming, forestry, tourism, and the manufacture of musical instruments all contribute to the local economy. The city is dominated by the Hohensalzburg fortress (founded 1077, present buildings 1465-1519). It is the seat of an archbishopric founded by St Boniface in about 700 and has a 17th-century cathedral. It is also a conference centre. There are numerous fine Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque churches. It is the birthplace of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and an annual music festival in August has been held here since 1920. The Mozart Museum of Sound and Film opened in 1991.

The performances of Jedermann (Everyman) are staged in the square in front of the cathedral each August. Salzburg's Roman name was Juvavum.