Mirabell Gardens

This past week brought something very very special for me. I got to Guest Blog on the Go Ahead Tours Travel Blog Site! You can read my blog HERE! It was so cool to be asked to talk about one of our trips and great to share my photos there too! 

But I promised all of you a trip to Mirabell Gardens and I found lots of photos to share with you so you can get a good "feel" of the place. Located across the river from Old Salzburg this beautiful garden is definitely a gem. Created in 1689 and altered again in 1730, these gardens are considered the best of the Baroque gardens of the world. (click on the photos to see the full sized version!)

 Our hotel was just a very short walk down the block and across the street so we visited the gardens a few times while we were in the area. Right at the crosswalk there was this painted cow! This type of artwork is very popular in the Western United States and we have seen painted whales, eagles, bears and even moose...this was our first cow! However it shows just how much this entire area was changed by The Sound of Music.

 A peek at the other side of the cow. Not terribly detailed but enough that it does get the point across!

 Most people in our tour group walked right past this entrance gate and didn't give it even a glance. I couldn't resist it! I loved the shackled look with it's flame type points. Nothing was exactly the same leaving me to think that it was all hand forged. 

 On the right hand side of the gate there was a vibrant indication of what we would find inside! These clematis flowers were just beautiful and as big as salad plates!

 There is a smaller garden area before you walk through these gates to the open gardens. We were to find that there were several smaller areas to explore like this one.

 But once you did walk through the gates you were afforded this amazing view of the Castle. Some of the new Spring flowers had been planted but you can tell by the swirls mid-ground that they were still a work in progress in some areas.

 Incredibly beautiful marble statues were gathered in one part of the gardens. Walking through the statue garden leads you to another entrance to the park as well as a way to walk towards the bridges that take you into Old Salzburg.

 Looking back from the statues gives you an idea of how it must have been to walk this promenade arm in arm with your best friend or family member enjoying the shade and beauty of the gardens.

 One thing I noticed was that the urns throughout the gardens were different. Of course I loved this one with the little lion appearing to crawl out of the sash around the urn!

This little rose hedge maze was one of two mazes we found on the property. I would love to see it in full bloom. 

At the other end of the gardens is this balustrade which overlooks the entire main garden. You can see the beginning of the promenade as well as the shady tunnel next to the tall hedge maze. From here you get the first look at the Pegasus that Julie Andrews dances around with the kids in The Sound of Music! 

 And once you reach the gates you are afforded the best view of the main gardens and the Castle. I think I fell in love right then and there. (To see the detail better just click on the photo for the larger version!)

 It was actually quite hard to get a photograph of this unicorn because there were so many people who wanted to take photos with the unicorn. I had to wait very patiently but I think it was worth it! While we waited these two young girls, Japanese students in their uniforms, came to stand close to the wall where I was waiting and just started singing the music from The Sound of Music. They sang beautifully and helped make a memory that we will never ever forget. 

 Several months later, watching The Sound of Music on the Big Screen again, it was very cool to see the Pegasus and think that I had stood right where one of our favorite films, and one of my favorite scenes from the film, had taken place.

 Wandering the gardens I found several lions. Most of them held very serene looks upon their faces. 

 This one actually stands guard over the gates to another one of the smaller sections of the gardens.

 Once you walk through those gates you are greeted by these funny little characters that form the gateway to the bridge that leads over a small walkway to a larger open lawn.

 But when you exit that area you come up this forlorn lion. His countenance just broke my heart. Instantly he was my favorite lion of these gardens.

 Standing next to the lion, up on the ledge, I got a peak at another view of the main gardens. Just lovely. Because it was located so close to our room we were able to take the time to really explore and also to just sit and enjoy the gardens and views like this one.

 Here you can see two of the very different urns in one view. The one in the background has a very frightening face carved into it while the one in the foreground is very pastoral with its ram and flower vines. And the details are everything. Look at the fence line behind the second urn. Just so very ornate, like iron lace to set off the delicate gardens.

 The second maze area was a full sized model. Most of the time you are completely unsure that you are turning the right way but in the center you find this little lion waiting for you and giving you a clear view of the way out as well as revealing a little amphitheater area!

 And when you do come out you find that you are, once again, looking down upon the little rose hedge maze across the gardens.

Walking down the steps to the main garden level we looked back towards the rose maze and saw the church that is right next to our hotel, reminding us, once again, how lucky we were to be staying so close to some place as beautiful as Mirabell Gardens.

Next stop is Melk Abbey and our first glimpse of the Danube River. Yup,  that Danube...as in Blue Danube. And, yes, it is, indeed, blue.

See you then!

Cat

Salzburg Cathedral

We only spent about a half hour inside the Salzburg Cathedral with our Go Ahead tour guide but I was mesmerized every single second. I have to admit that I actually heard very little that the personal guide was saying and was really happy my companion on this trip was paying attention. I was just too enthralled by the millions of details inside this amazing Church. What the Duomo of Milan is outside, the Salzburg Cathedral is inside: Filled with awe inspiring details. (click on each photo to get a closer look!)

 The Cathedral itself is set out in a normal "cross" pattern. Its details are pure Baroque. Originally dedicated in 774, it was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire and then once again rebuilt in the seventeenth century in the Baroque style. It still contains the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized!

 One of the detail decisions that makes this Church so visually appealing is its paintings. Set against the black and white of the "bones" of the Church, these color images of the Saints looked perfectly framed. Little focal points in a huge area.

 Long hallways flank the nave. In each of the little alcoves there are more examples of the fine art that grace this beautiful Church.

 As you can see, color wasn't the only way they decided to paint the murals in this Church. Sepia portraits as well as full black and white dot the ceilings. While looking straight ahead the Cathedral is very beautiful but the real vision is when you stare straight up at the ceiling!

 Each section of the ceiling is highly decorated. The black and white Baroque trim is punctuated with the different tones of the murals that are also trimmed! Detail upon detail. I swear I could have spent hours just trying to take them all in.

 Each transcept also had it's own unique details. From the intricate wrought iron railings to the ornate organs on each side, there was even more to take in and enjoy.

 The domes allowed a wash of light to illuminate the entire Cathedral. There were electric lights as well but this bright splash of light inside the domes was a reminder that this was built when natural light was very important due to the only other light source being candlelight.

 At each corner at the head of the Nave were these organs. Beautifully trimmed in marble and surrounded by fine art they were a colorful focal point at each corner.

 The full sized organ was over the main doorway. Even more ornate than it's corner counterparts this organ was even topped with statues of the Saints.

 These wrought iron candelabras were everywhere in the Cathedral. With electric lights now that resemble the candles that once were the light source here, they retain the romance of that era. One of the reasons I love this photograph is that it helps show how many details are packed into one small alcove. From the artwork to the figures to the trim to the candelabra itself, the whole package is Baroque perfection.

 This is a straight on view from about half way up the Nave of the Cathedral to the altar.  The scope of this Cathedral is amazing!

 The panels on the sides of the walls displayed the different types of portraits that were featured throughout the entire Cathedral. Here you can see both the sepia and black and white portraits against the black and white of the trim.

 This corner held my attention for several minutes. It is easy to just see the beautiful paintings of this place and not pay much attention to the trim. The trim itself is filled to the brim with details. Of course, the real brilliance here is the use of white space to set off the intricate designs. It allows your eyes to work up from each design to the next. Beautiful!

The inside of the main dome is a work of art all by itself. Perfect geometry is set off with the different levels of paintings, different color styles of the paintings and the intricate trim work. You may end up with a crook in your neck but, believe me, it's worth it.

We will head to Mirabell Gardens next! See you later in the week! And you can now get a daily visual treat if you "follow" Shutterbug Traveler on Instagram!

Cat

A Walking Tour of Salzburg

Salzburg quickly became on of my favorite cities as we walked with our Go Ahead tour guide all over the Old Town. I had been looking forward to this part of the trip since, as a family tradition, we watch The Sound of Music each Easter. I have no idea why this became a tradition but it did and I'd come to love it like a favorite Aunt. The views of Salzburg seemed memorized due to the film but I just had a feeling it would be even more amazing in person. How right I was! (as always, just click on the little picture to see the larger photo!)

 Open to pedestrian and bike traffic  made walking around the Old Town very nice. Being there on a weekday in May we didn't encounter too many crowds except on the main shopping lane.

 While I didn't ever see him give anyone a ride it was fun to watch him care for his horses while we waited in the shade. You could tell that he really cared for them very much since every touch was gentle and loving. I could imagine his family doing the same thing for generations.

 At once beautiful and wicked, this fence line had us all lining up trying to capture it's beauty. Unlike the other cities we visited, Salzburg incorporated color into their ironwork creating these beautiful works of art. 

 And views of the Castle were everywhere we looked. Settled high up on the hill, you could see the Castle from almost every arch or walkway that faced East.

 The inside of the Salzburg Cathedral is amazing. I will cover that in another entry because it deserves one of it's very own. But the outside was beautiful too. One of the spires that you first notice from the other side of the river I was thrilled to go inside. 

 As soon as our tour was over we were starving so we started looking for somewhere to catch a light lunch. The windows of this seafood cafeteria had us sold in under a second! 

 While the lobster was a better price than we could find here at home, it was still over our budget. Still, it looked amazing in the window! We went with the shrimp instead and it was simply perfection!

 My absolute favorite lion. I have a weakness for them anyway but dress one up in armor and give him a shield with the family crest and I'm just a puddle! I just loved the attitude. I was thrilled to see him featured in the opening titles of The Sound of Music a few weeks later when it was brought back to the Big Screen. 

 Shopping in Salzburg is big business. We did a little bit of it ourselves, visiting a particular Christmas shop where I had to go home with a few ornaments including one of a 5 inch chandelier that hangs from our mantel still.

 The medieval style doors were everywhere. Heavy metal and wood doors that looked like they could be on any castle were enchanting. I loved the dancers leaping over this doorway!

 I first noticed the metal sculpture over this door first but it took me a moment to realize that it was a carving of the Castle and still an extra few minutes to notice the gargoyle like creatures at top and bottom of it. I love it when art gives you hidden treasures to find.

 Everyone had been telling us about this little cafe near Mozart's house and how we had to try the Apple Strudel. We ordered iced coffee and were treated by this enormous glass filled with coffee, ice cream and even a cookie! And, yes, the Strudel was amazing!

 We didn't actually go on the tour of Mozart's birth place but did enjoy this bright yellow home from our comfortable cafe chairs as we rested our tired feet after walking around a good part of the morning and most of the afternoon. We headed back to our hotel after this and got dressed up for dinner.

 We crossed back over the river on our way to our group dinner and stopped for a few moments to just soak up the river views. Beautiful.

 Notice the bicycle parking area! With our tour we get a few "included" dinners where we get to sit with our entire group and talk about our day as well as enjoy a 4-5 star meal. The inside was all dark heavy wood, the complete opposite of it's simple facade. However the roasted turkey dinner we had here at Sternbrau was amazing! One of the very best we had on this trip.

But the food was completely overshadowed by the sunset over the river after dinner. We were walking back from the restaurant, most of us stuffed from the wonderful food, all of us exhausted after a long day of walking, when I took a moment to turn around and look back at the city. I was transfixed. The view literally took my breath away. This is one of my top favorite photos from this trip simply because I am taken back to the beauty of this moment and that feeling of awe immediately.

Next week, as promised, I will share with you all the amazing Salzburg Cathedral. See you then!

Cat