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Mirabell Palace & Gardens: A Salzburg Jewel

Explore Salzburg's Baroque masterpiece: Mirabell Palace and Gardens, a UNESCO site with stunning architecture, history, and serene landscapes.

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Mirabell Palace and its gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a must-see in Salzburg. Originally built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress Salome Alt, it features stunning Baroque architecture and meticulously designed gardens, offering a serene escape with a touch of history.

A brief summary to Mirabell Palace

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning for a quieter experience, as the gardens become a popular spot in the afternoon.
  • Check the Marble Hall's opening hours in advance, as it may be closed for special events like weddings.
  • Explore the Dwarf Garden and Hedge Theatre for unique and whimsical attractions within the gardens.
  • Take advantage of the photo opportunities with the Hohensalzburg Fortress as a backdrop.
  • The gardens are especially beautiful in the spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Salzburg's Old Town, Mirabell Palace and Gardens are a short, pleasant walk. Cross the Makartsteg bridge over the Salzach River and continue straight onto Mirabellplatz. The palace and gardens will be directly in front of you. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes from Mozart's Birthplace or Salzburg Cathedral.

  • Public Transport

    The Mirabellplatz bus stop is directly in front of Mirabell Palace and is serviced by numerous bus lines. Check Salzburg's public transport website or app (SalzburgMobil or Salzburg Verkehr) for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. A single ride ticket within the city costs approximately €2-3. If you have a Salzburg Card, bus rides are included.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available throughout Salzburg. A short ride from the main train station or the Old Town to Mirabell Palace will typically cost between €10-€15. Be sure to confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

  • Parking

    If driving, the Mirabell-Congress-Garage is the closest parking option. It is located at Mirabellplatz 4 and offers both parking spaces and an underground garage. Parking rates vary, but expect to pay around €3-4 per hour. Note that parking may be limited on Thursdays due to the Schrannenmarkt. There are 496 parking spaces at Mirabell-Congress-Garage.

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Discover more about Mirabell Palace

Mirabell Palace and Gardens, a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as one of Salzburg's most iconic landmarks. Originally constructed in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as Altenau Palace, it was a token of love for Salome Alt, his mistress, and their 15 children. After Wolf Dietrich's death, his successor renamed it Mirabell Palace, derived from the Italian words 'mirabile' (beautiful) and 'bella' (wonderful). In the 18th century, Prince-Archbishop Franz Anton von Harrach commissioned a Baroque redesign by Lukas von Hildebrandt, unifying the palace complex. The Marble Hall, once the Prince-Archbishop's ballroom, is particularly noteworthy, having hosted performances by Leopold Mozart and his children. Although a fire in 1818 caused significant damage, the Marble Hall and marble staircase remained intact. Today, the palace houses the city's administration and the mayor's office, while the Marble Hall continues to host weddings, concerts, and ceremonies. The Mirabell Gardens, opened to the public in 1854 by Emperor Franz Joseph, are considered among Europe's most beautiful Baroque gardens. The gardens are arranged along a north-south axis, providing a stunning view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Key features include the Grand Parterre with the Pegasus Fountain, the Hedge Theatre, and the Dwarf Garden, which contains some of the oldest dwarf statues in Europe. The gardens gained further fame after being featured in 'The Sound of Music'.

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