Top Tourist Sites » Austria travel photos

Salzburg Dom, Salzburg

Tommy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:51:14 +0000

Salzburg Dom is the main Salzburg cathedral, and it has been an integral part of the city for quite some time. One Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized here in 1756. Salzburg Dom can be found in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town on the south side of the Residenzplatz. Look for the statue depicting the Virgin Mary, and you know you are close.

Of course, by that time, you will have likely already noticed the Salzburg Dom towers, which are capped in weathered bronze. Salzburg Dom is an impressive seventeenth century baroque cathedral, and it’s a Salzburg attraction that you won’t want to miss when enjoying tours of the city. Even when hanging out in other cities or towns in western Austria, such as Zell am See and Innsbruck, it’s worth heading to Salzburg to enjoy it’s Old Town.

Salzburg Dom

Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral roof in the snow

Overlooking Dom in Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg Cathedral

Lech, Austria

Tommy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:34:55 +0000

Lech is one of the most fashionable ski resorts in Austria, and when you consider that it is linked to nearby resorts such as Zurs via lifts and shuttles, it becomes evident that this is a fine place to escape to during the winter season. Found in the western Austria state of Vorarlberg, which is often referred to as Little Switzerland, Lech is set high in the Austrian Alps. In fact, the Lech Zurs Ski Area is among the highest in Europe. Lech itself tops out at around 9,100 feet above sea level. This translates to some very long runs, and if you want variety, the expansive terrain is full of trails that cater to all levels and desires.

The village of Lech, Austria

Lech, Austria

Lech Valley Lech, Austria

Lech, which is also known as Lech am Arlberg, is simply a divine destination for those who are interested in enjoying some of the best skiing in all of Europe

Lech, Austria

Mauthausen, Austria

Tommy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:26:16 +0000

The Mauthausen Concentration Camp is a testament to Nazi Austria history and a sobering reminder of what Adolf Hitler’s terrifying regime was capable of. Found about fifteen miles southeast of Linz, this concentration camp Austria does not try to hide. Instead, it is very much an open subject, often a destination for school children who come to learn about the atrocities associated with the Third Reich. The town of Mauthausen itself is rather pretty, boasting some attractive and interesting medieval architecture. In addition to learning about Nazi Austria at the concentration camp, visitors are encouraged to give the town a look too.

The Mauthausen Concentration Camp Austria site first underwent construction in 1938, and prisoners from the German Dachau concentration camp were enlisted to build it. The Dachau camp was the first Nazi concentration camp to be built in Germany, and new camps were needed to house the growing amount of Nazi prisoners. As the story goes, funds from Nazi prisoners themselves were used to build the Holocaust Mauthausen complex. Upon their arrest, the prisoners’ assets, whatever they might be, were assumed by the Third Reich.

Stealing from prisoners was just one way of raising money for the prison camp, however. The Escompte Bank, which was based in Prague, awarded commercial loans to the camp’s private builders, as did Dresdner Bank, which is based in Frankfurt, Germany. Originally, Mauthausen was reserved for common criminals, and was more of a prison camp. This changed in 1939, when it became a concentration and labor camp. Thousands of Austrian Jews were killed at Mauthausen, and also included among the condemned were Gypsies and homosexuals, whom the Third Reich also saw as undesirable.

Main entrance to the camp

Main gate of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

Mauthausen, Austria

Mauthausen is known for being set on a quarry site with a long stair case which became known as the Stairs of Death.

Haindlkai in Mauthausen, Austria

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Tommy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:18:34 +0000

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna first opened in 1891. It was commissioned by then emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph I. Though it was finished in 1891, work actually began on it in 1872. The purpose of this new Museum in Austria was to house the immense art collection of the almighty Habsburgs. The museum’s name translates to Museum of Art History, and all Vienna visitors are encouraged to stop by and take a look at the wonderful exhibits.

Also, since the interior of this fine Vienna museum is beautiful, it’s worth it just to step inside for a bit. Marble and gold-leaf accents help to create a lavish appeal, and there are a myriad of glorious paintings that adorn the walls. It really is a remarkable place, and for good reason, it’s also a top Vienna attraction.

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

Kunsthistorisches Museum (art museum)

Wien 65, Kunsthistorisches Museum, en Maria Theresien Platz (Austria)

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austria at night

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austria

Mirabell Palace, Salzburg

Tommy — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:04:42 +0000

The castles in Salzburg are among the city’s best attractions, and Mirabell Palace is one such castle. It can be found on the north side of the Salzach River, which bisects the city, and just on the river’s other side is the city’s Old Town. The gardens are as alluring as the fairy tale Mirabell Castle is. Originally built as a luxurious private estate, Mirabell Palace is now property of the city, as it has been since 1866. It serves as an office building for the mayor and the city’s administration services. While enjoying tours of city, you’ll want to include a stop here, even if it’s just to wander the attractive gardens.

Mirabell Palace was built in 1606 at the request of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. As the story goes, the residence, which was originally titled Altenau, was intended for the Prince Archbishop’s mistress, Salome Alt. Not only was Salome the mistress of Raitenau, but she was also the mother of his children. Though she bore fifteen kids, just ten would survive.

Not much would remain constant at Mirabell Castle after Raitenau’s death, as his successor, Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus, started with a name change. The name Mirabell means beautiful view, and Sittikus no doubt had the nearby Alps in mind when naming the castle. Of course, the lovely gardens were also worthy of praise, as they still are today. Of all the Salzburg castles, Mirabell Palace arguably boasts the best gardens.

Mirabell Palace, Austria

Garden of Mirabell Palace

Mirabell Palace at night

Mirabell Palace, Austria

Tyrol Austria

Tommy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:39:22 +0000

Tyrol Austria, or Tirol as it is spelled in German, is one of the top Austrian tourism regions, and for very good reason. The Alps here present some of the best alpine views in all of Europe, if not the world. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Tyrol Austria is hard to beat. Tyrol skiing is just one of the favorite activities that visitors to the Tyrolean Alps enjoy, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. July and August are actually the peak travel months for Tyrol Austria, and there are plenty of fun things to do come summertime as well.

Tyrol, Austria

moonlight at Tyrol, Austria

Tyrol Austria in winter

Tyrol, Austria

Tyrol, Austria landscape

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Tommy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:05:37 +0000

The palaces and castles of Austria are among the country’s top tourist attractions. One the most renowned is Schonbrunn Palace, which is found in the capital city of Vienna. Together with its gardens, Schonbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has been a featured attraction in Vienna since the 1860s. Construction on this stately Vienna castle began in 1696, and it wasn’t completed until 1712. Once you see its grandeur in person, you’ll understand why it took sixteen years to build. Boasting 1,441 rooms, it is truly remarkable.

No visit to Vienna would be complete without a visit to Schonbrunn Palace, and you can either experience it on a guided city tour, or head here yourself by car, tram, metro, or bus. The Schonbrunn Vienna castle is not found in the city’s central Old Town, but instead southwest of it. The journey out using public transportation will take around twenty minutes, and you’ll be headed to Schonbrunn Station.

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Schonbrunn Palace Gardens Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria overview

Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg, Austria

Tommy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:43:16 +0000

The Festung Hohensalzburg, or Hohensalzburg Fortress as it is known in English, is a formidable Salzburg attraction. You can’t miss this large castle in Salzburg, as it graces Festungsberg Hill, which overlooks the city. It makes for quite the icon on the horizon, and you might be interested to know that the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest preserved fortress in all of central Europe. In other words, it’s worth checking out when enjoying a Salzburg visit

Die Festung Hohensalzburg (castle), Salzburg, Austria.

Fortress Hohensalzburg and Dome, Salzburg, Austria

Interior of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg, Austria

Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Tommy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:24:51 +0000

The Austrian capital city of Vienna is a good place to start for those who plan to visit some historic castles in Austria. Smack in the middle of Old Town Vienna, Hofburg Palace attracts a healthy number of tourists. This Vienna Austria palace was a winter estate for the Habsburgs, and among other things, it is where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs, and also where you can also catch an impressive horse show at the Spanish Riding School.

The palace complex is quite, well, complex, having been modified and added onto consistently after the first building went up in 1279. It’s almost a small city within itself, offering curious visitors plenty to explore. You can’t help but notice Hofburg Palace when touring Vienna’s Old Town, and it begs a visit.

Hofburg Palace, Austria

Hofburg Palace Statute, Austria

Hofburg Palace, Austria

The Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria at night

The Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria

Top attractions in Austria

Tommy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:45:57 +0000

Austria is home to spectacular cities and towns, majestic mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, a rich and storied history, and an enticing dining scene, and these are just some of the things that make Austria travel so amazing.

Found in the heart of Europe, Austria borders Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia. In other words, it’s landlocked and surrounded by plenty of other interesting destinations.

Austrian Alps
Hofburg Palace
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Lech
Mauthausen
Melk Abbey
Mirabell Palace
Mozarts Geburtshaus
Salzburg Dom
Schonbrunn Palace
St Stephens Cathedral
Tyrol
Zell am See