Eastern Europe - Salzburg Oct 9-10

We drove from Munich to Salzburg - a short drive but with fairly heavy traffic.  We arrived in time to freshen up for dinner and hit the sack. Early next morning, we drove the motorway to nearby Mondsee to explore the "Abbey Church" from the "Sound of Music" wedding scene.  
Note: Due to the large number of photos in this entry, I'll try to keep comments to a minimum.
 

A small path led from the bus park to the Basilica

The path led along a delightful meadow with a great view of the Moon Lake (Mondsee)

 

Legend has it that the prince was about to step of a precipice when the moon appeared and saved him. Ingratitude, he named the lake "moon lake" or Mondsee

This grove of trees may have been the one in the scene from Sound of Music where all the kids are climbing. Of course they have grown in the intervening years!

Outside the Basilica of St Michael aka Abbey Wedding Church

This small fountain and marker are just outside the Basilica

The interior will look familiar to anyone who has seen the wedding scene in Sound of Music. Those scenes were shot from the choir loft making the church seem even larger

The crucifix sits just opposite the ambo from whence the word is proclaimed - a common arrangement to keep the priest's thoughts (and homilies) rooted in the Passion of Christ

The main or "high" altar

One of many side altars

The huge pipe organ dominates the back of the church

We had mass in a very pretty side chapel

Fr Chris Coleman presided and as always gave a very good and thought provoking homily

After mass we were free to roam about shooting photos

Once again in the main church at one of the side altars

This beautiful Marian side altar is just opposite the chapel we worshiped in - i.e. on the other side of the main "high" altar

The church is resplendant with beautiful art

One can imagine a day when masses would be said at many of these side altars 

The ambo

This statue seemed oddly placed. Perhaps it was donated and they felt it best belonged next to the Crucifix 

The stations of the cross were presented in beautiful oil paintings

On the drive back to Salzburg, we took the scenic route!

M

Once back in Salzburg, our first stop was the Mirabellgarten and this fountain commemorating Popagano from Mozart's Magic Flute 

Miralbellgarten is replete with beautiful plantings and statuary

Paris carries off Helen to Troy

And musicians from the local college trying to make a little money

As we walked across the pedestrian bridge, this unusual sculpture greeted us

We crossed over the Zentrum River on a pedestrian bridge

River tours are available on this small boat

We noticed that on Griesgasse in the old district, all shops are identified by the signs hung above

Including, of course, McDonalds!

We stopped at Mozart's birthplace house

Then walked a short distance to a University plaza (Universitatsplatz in German) where the large Kollegienkirche (University church) dominates but was challenged for dominance by a very nice farmer's market!

We than did a whirlwind walkabout - I'll need to get out my map and fill in some blanks as to where and what everything is - this is clearly part of the University of Salzburg

Leading to the entrance to the ancient ampitheater (now enclosed) where the music concert was shot in Sound of Music

I asked our guide about the "lady in red" but he did not know - anyone?

Actual entrance is up large flight

Statue of St Rupert, the man revered as he who brought Christianity to Austria

Oldest cemetery in Salzburg

Grave of MGEN Harry Collins, Commander of the Rainbow Division which liberated Salzburg. He married a local girl and settled down here. Special permission was needed to bury him in this cemetery.

Water wheel - and our guide Igor!

A funicular to the fortress

which dominates the area!

A fountain below the fortress

Large scale chess to occupy the mind!

Horse drawn carriage is a popular way to see the old town and many of the drivers are fluent in English - this one had a distinct American accent

The Cathedral plaza has a magnificent statue of the Blessed Virgin in front

Inside is elegant and beautiful

Our Lady of Sorrows 

We then assembled in the Residenzplatz just next to the Cthaedral

Jess, one of our pilgrims, holds up the huge spherical sculpture

Of course, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart takes center stage in Mozartplatz

This cafe has been here since Mozart's time!

We bid adieu to Igor in front of Mozart's home

We walked to Fisch Krieg, a small fish market where you can also buy prepared food. The tree that looks like it is growing out of the roof - it is!

It was a little cool, but who could resist eating at a table right on the rive! 

We had this view as we ate

The tree really does grow through the building! 

We walked to the Nonnberg Abbey at the top of the hill where Maria was a novice

The inside was very dark (it was overcast) until someone put a Euro in the box and lit up the main altar

A small cemetery

We found this photo on the web

And this one

The main altar is fabulous!

It was raining as we left the church

Just a few of the eleventyzillion stepsto the convent!

We walked back to the hotel in the rain

We passed this bakery and were attracted to the special breads in the window!

At days end, we bought a cheese strudel in a small shop and a bottle of sparkling wine in a market and had a nice simple meal in the hotel - and worked on the blog!

Tomorrow - Vienna!