"Austria 2001: Salzburg" a Salzburg Travel Page by Tolik

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Up until the 19th century, Salzburg led a separate life to the rest of Austria, existing as an independent city-state ruled by powerful Prince-Bishops. Although Salzburg was important urban center for Romans (who called it Juvavum), it was Frankish monk St. Rupert who really put the town on the map. He established a church here, in around 700, using it as a base from which to evangelize to Germanic tribes. His successor Irish monk and missionary St. Virgil extended influence in the neighboring alpine valleys. Accorded the status of princes by the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg in 1228, the city’s rulers were major feudal landowners, administering territories scattered over present-day Austria, southern Germany and even northern Italy. Salt from the mines at Hallein contributed much of their wealth. Salt revenues helped Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach transform Hohensalzburg fortress into impressive monument you can see today. <p>The city’s beautiful Baroque appearance owes most to the ambitions of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Ratenau who tried to rebuilt the town on the model of Rome. The old central Europe of feudal states was swept away by campaigns of Napoleon and after a brief period of Bavarian rule, the city was awarded to Austria in 1816. For many visitors, Salzburg is the quintessential Austria, offering the best of Baroque architecture, alpine scenery and musical heritage provided by the city’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

UNESCO included Historic Center of the City of Salzburg in the World Heritage List in 1996.