In Salzburg, Austria final spring, I skipped across the fountain outdoors Mirabell Palace.
Others did too.
Some 60 years earlier, Maria and the von Trapp youngsters danced across the palace’s Pegasus Fountain, singing “Do-Re-Mi,” considered one of most well-known songs from “The Sound of Music.”
The film recounts the story of the von Trapp household, and the novice nun Maria who serves as governess of the seven youngsters, and later (spoiler alert) marries their father solely to should flee the Nazi regime following the annexation of Austria.
Salzburg’s plans to have fun the beloved musical
The movie, starring Julie Andrews, was launched in March 1965. To commemorate the film’s sixtieth anniversary, the town is celebrating with themed excursions and occasions all year long.
The Pegasus Fountain, outdoors of Salzburg’s Mirabell Palace.
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Beginning Feb. 6, the Resort Schloss Leopoldskron (Leopoldskron Palace) will host an exhibition of things referring to the real von Trapp Family, in addition to memorabilia and images from the film.
A brand new audio guide app, with tales of the filming instructed by Nicholas Hammond, who performed Friedrich von Trapp within the film, will information guests alongside a path across the city of Werfen, the place the picnic scene was filmed.
All year long, the Salzburg Marionette theater will channel “The Lonely Goatherd,“ as carried out by the kids within the movie, by placing on special shows.
The UNESCO-recognized Salzburg Marionette Theater opened in 1913.
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When you love the dirndl attire the ladies wore within the movie, the Salzburger Heimatwerk, a standard retailer at Residenzplatz 9, is designing a particular anniversary outfit celebrating the movie and can host a one-time exhibition.
On Oct. 23, an English-speaking symposium is scheduled to debate the relevance and significance of “The Sound of Music” to Salzburg at this time, based on SalzburgerLand, the town’s tourism advertising group. On the Felsenreitschule theater, the panel will embody authentic forged members. Within the night, there might be a themed gala with authentic music and performances, and, once more, forged members in attendance.
Later within the 12 months, the Salzburg Theatre will carry out “The Sound of Music” musical in German with English subtitles. Performances are scheduled on select dates in November and December.
Eating places, such because the Stiftskulinarium St. Peter — which claims to be Europe’s oldest restaurant — will provide particular movie-themed menus, that includes regional specialties.
Just a little late to the celebration, “The Sound of Music Museum” is about to open in Salzburg in 2026.
Film areas in Salzburg
The Mirabell Gardens are considered one of many filming areas vacationers can see in Salzburg. Simply previous the Pegasus Fountain is the considerably weird Dwarf Backyard, with sculptures of 320-year-old mischievous-looking dwarves, which had a cameo look within the movie.
To observe the movie from the beginning, head as much as the traditional Benedictine Nonnberg Abbey relationship to 714, the place Maria struggled to change into a nun. The cloister lies just under the Hohensalzburg Palace which towers over Salzburg. The views are gorgeous.
A girl sits in Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg.
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Observe Maria’s path from the abbey and enter the Previous City by way of the arches previous the Salzburg Cathedral to the Residenzplatz, the place she splashed within the fountain earlier than boarding a bus to go to the von Trapp’s home, outdoors of Salzburg.
Different areas inside Salzburg embody the Mozartsteg, the small footbridge Maria and the kids cross whereas singing “My Favourite Issues,” the market they go to at Kajetanerplatz, which nonetheless hosts a weekly Farmers’ Market each Friday.
One of many areas featured later within the movie is the really gorgeous Felsenreitschule, the theater the place the von Trapps sing throughout the Salzburg Music Competition, and which is a venue for the annual competition to at the present time.
St. Peter’s Cemetery, based within the seventh century, stays a preferred vacationer attraction.
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After their efficiency, the household flee right into a cemetery. St. Peter’s Abbey is listed as a taking pictures location within the movie, however scenes depicting its picturesque St. Peter’s Cemetery had been largely filmed on a recreated Hollywood set.
For a particular deal with, keep on the Hotel Sacher Salzburg, the place Julie Andrews stayed whereas filming the film.
Seeing ‘the hill’
The hill that’s alive with music — and which options within the opening scenes of the movie — is in Germany, simply throughout the border from Austria. The precise spot is on personal land, and the proprietor is reportedly not eager on vacationers. That stated, there are public paths which lead alongside the meadow, and, if you’re decided to see it, it’s value following the mountain trail to catch a glimpse.
Simpler to succeed in is the Untersberg, the place Maria and the kids picnicked, and which provides superb views over the mountains and throughout Salzburg. It’s typically included on “The Sound of Music” tours, however if you wish to go it alone, it is a quick 20-minute trip by taxi.
And what in regards to the von Trapp home? The unique household villa stands in a secluded park on Traunstrasse 34. As soon as the true von Trapp’s household’s precise dwelling, it was later changed into a resort which sadly has since shut down, with the gardens additionally closed to the general public. However you possibly can stroll across the outdoors of the grounds and catch a glimpse of the true Villa Trapp.
Different areas close to Salzburg
Within the movie, the home was a lot grander, certainly a palace: The Leopoldskron Palace on the shores of the lake going by the identical identify. The home is proven within the opening credit and extensively all through the movie.
Leopoldskron Palace was used because the von Trapp household dwelling in “The Sound of Music.”
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Bear in mind when Maria and all the kids capsized their boat? The grand palace, relationship to 1736, starred along with the Frohnburg Palace (now a part of Mozarteum College Salzburg), for exterior and inside pictures. And, as an added bonus, the Leopoldskron Palace has been changed into a luxurious resort, so visitors may acknowledge a few of inside nooks from the movie.
By the way, the unique white music gazebo which stars frequent within the movie was moved to Hellbrunn Palace.
The relocated von Trapp gazebo is locked to the general public.
Supply: Prudence Andreia Goh
And at last, the marriage venue. Maria and Captain von Trapp tied the knot on the pretty Basilica St. Michael in Mondsee, which interprets to Moon Lake. Mondsee is eighteen miles from Salzburg, and could be reached by bus line 140 in 40 minutes.
The charming small city is a superb location to wrap up your journey and keep a day or two. The lake’s mountain setting is ideal to quiet down with “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” written by Maria von Trapp.
Cannot make it to Salzburg?
When the von Trapp household fled war-torn Europe, they settled in Vermont. At the moment, the farmstead has been expanded and you’ll keep within the authentic von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. The resort whose setting and décor is the following neatest thing to visiting Austria can also be stuffed with the true household’s historical past.
The Kennedy Middle in Washington, D.C., is just one of many theaters within the U.S. performing “The Sound of Music” in 2025. The musical starts in September, and goes on tour in December.
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