On Monday 29th March 1965, the Sound of Music was released in cinemas across the UK and an enduring phenomenon was born.
Sixty years later, the images and songs of this cherished film are etched into our memories and culture. While the star was Julie Andrews, the settings themselves undoubtedly captivated many viewers.
Filmed in and around Salzburg, it showcased the beauty of the Old Town, nearby Baroque palaces and lakeside villages.
As one of our most-loved areas of Austria, we visit the Salzburg region on a variety of tours - and tick off many Sound of Music locations on the way.
Do-Re-Mirabell
Not many pieces of culture can almost overshadow Mozart, but Wolfgang shares prominence in his hometown with the Sound of Music. His former residence overlooks the entrance to Mirabell Gardens - one of the most famous filming locations.
It's here that Maria and the von Trapp children sing Do Re Mi as they dance around the Pegasus fountain before lining up on the nearby steps. A UNESCO-listed site, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens date from the 17th century and brim with grandiose Baroque splendour. In the summer, the gardens burst into colour as begonias and geraniums begin to bloom.
Expert local guide Trudy leads our tours of Salzburg and likes to inject a bit of Rodgers & Hammerstein magic into explorations. "I'm not a trained singer," says Trudy, "but I like to burst into song on my tours, particularly songs from the Sound of Music in the Mirabell Gardens. People love to join in and it's great when they do that."
Old Town Delights
Crossing the Salzach River into the heart of Salzburg's historic Old Town, the focal point is Residenzplatz on the northern side of the domed cathedral. At its centre is an elegant 17th-century fountain with eye-catching statues of water horses. It's those statues that Maria splashes with water as she sings I Have Confidence. In that song she says "I've always longed for adventure, to do the things I've never dared" - sentiments we very much share!
Take some time here to admire the palatial Residenz, the cathedral and hear the bells in the steeple, too.
A short distance away is the Felsenreitschule, or Summer Riding School. It's here that one of the most famous scenes in the Sound of Music occurs as the von Trapps perform at the Kaltzburg Festival, including the captain's rendition of Edelweiss. Leaving the stage to a reprise of Do-Re-Mi, the von Trapps prepare to flee Austria.
With its onion-domed towers, nearby St Peter's Abbey dates from the 7th century. Its historic cemetery and catacombs also feature in the Sound of Music as the location where Maria and the children hide out after the festival. On our First Class Grand Alpine Explorer tour, we enjoy a candlelit dinner in the monastery restaurant, considered the oldest in central Europe, as we are entertained by the music of Mozart.
Nonnberg Abbey and Schloss Leopoldskron
High on a hill is the Hohensalzburg fortress with its imposing white walls. Next to this is Nonnberg Abbey, the 8th-century nunnery where the real Maria von Trapp was a nun. In the film, the sisters and abbess sing Maria in one of the abbey's courtyards.
From this great vantage point, there are expansive views of the Old Town as well as the southern part of the city. Peeking above the trees is Schloss Leopoldskron, a rococo palace about a mile from the centre of Salzburg. At the rear, manicured gardens overlook a lake, providing great views of the jagged peak of Untersberg. It's this aspect that starred as the von Trapp's family home, with Maria and the captain dancing together on the balcony.
Leopoldskron also used to be the location of the white gazebo where Liesl sings Sixteen Going on Seventeen. However, it has since been moved to the gardens of Schloss Hellbrunn, a little further out of town.
The Hills Are Alive!
Heading out of Salzburg, the beautiful Austrian countryside also contains a couple of iconic Sound of Music locations.
A 45-minute train journey along the breathtaking Salzach Valley takes you to the small town of Werfen, overlooked by Burg Hohenwerfen - one of Austria's most beautiful castles. As impressive as this is, most Sound of Music fans head here to visit a meadow. About a mile up the hill is the pasture where Julie Andrews spins and sings the title song in view of the rugged limestone peaks of the Tennen Mountains.
On our First Class Grand Alpine Explorer and our Danube cruises, including Delights of the Danube, we visit the lakeside town of Mondsee. As well as fantastic views from the waterfront, Mondsee is also famed for the Basilica of St Michael. This Baroque church with its bright yellow exterior was where Maria was walked down the aisle by Liesl to marry the captain.
Visit Sound of Music Locations with Great Rail Journeys
As the silver-white winter melts into spring or while enjoying a drop of golden sun, whatever season you visit, Salzburg and its famous locations will impress.
Enjoy visits to Salzburg on our All Inclusive Austria: Alps, Lakes & Salzburg tour from our Discoveries range and Austrian Alps All Inclusive from our Classic collection.
Our First Class Grand Alpine Explorer holiday spends three nights in Salzburg including a candlelit dinner in St Peter's, a visit to Mondsee and free day to tick off many other Sound of Music locations.
A number of our luxury river cruises and unique Tour & Cruise itineraries, listed below, also include Salzburg.
- Delights of the Danube
- Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube
- Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube
- Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise
With this range of tours that visit Salzburg, it won't be long until you're saying 'so long, farewell' to the UK and heading to Austria.
