High above the Baroque towers of the city, Fortress Hohensalzburg – the biggest castle complex in Europe – is a real eyecatcher. A landmark visible from far away, the fortress is an unmistakable part of Salzburg’s world-famous silhouette.

January - April, October - December

9.30 am - 5.00 pm

May - September

8.30 am - 8.00 pm

Weekends during Easter and Advent

9.30 am - 6.00 pm

Experience the Fortress Hohensalzburg

The Building of Fortress Hohensalzburg

The strategic advantage of the mountain upon which the fortress would be built was recognized even in earliest times. Construction began in the 11^th century. Archbishop Gebhard I von Helffenstein was the first to build fortifications atop this dominant mountain above the city in 1077, further developed by his successors in the years to come. The appearance we recognize today is owed to Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, who undertook intensive building activities in and around the year 1500.

Blick vom Kapitelplatz in Salzburg auf das Wahrzeichen der Stadt, die Festung Hohensalzburg

Highlights

Today’s fortress has many highlights in store for visitors

Fortress Museum

The Fortress Museum displays historic exhibits that provide insights into the courtly world of the prince archbishops. In the magnificent rooms of the biggest fully preserved medieval fortifications in all of Europe, visitors experience a real sense of what life must have been like back in those times.

Princes’ Chambers

The Princes’ Chambers on the third floor of the fortress consist of the Princes’ Hall, the Golden Room as well as the Golden Hall. The furnishings of these rooms have remained essentially unchanged since 1501/1502. Grand parties used to be celebrated in the Golden Hall, whereas today they provide a venue for the popular Fortress Concerts. The blue wooden ceiling of the Golden Hall with its golden stanchions and buttons is reminiscent of a starry night sky.

Arsenal

The historic Arsenal (Zeughaus) has been restored to its original form. In an interactive exhibit, visitors are given insights into the development of the fortifications as well as the cannons, armor and firearms.

Marionette Museum

Housed in the so-called “Feuergang” of the fortress is a fascinating marionette museum. Here, historic marionettes take the imagination on a magical journey into the past.

Rainer Regiment Museum

In the Rainer Regiment Museum, weapons, uniforms, photographs as well as artifacts from war and peace time memorialize the service and successes of the Rainer Regiment, one of the most loyal in Austria.

The so-called Rainer March, which is very well known in Salzburg, is dedicated to this regiment.

Fortress Grounds

The grounds of the fortress are very impressive in their own right. Here, you can embark on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages and, at Christmastime, browse the stands of the fortress’s very own Advent market.

If you want to visit all museums, you will need about 3 hours

Tickets

Take advantage of the FestungsCard when visiting the fortress. The combo tickets include the ride on the FestungsBahn funicular as well as the admission to the fortress and its premises.

Info:

Entry to Fortress Hohensalzburg is granted up to 30 minutes before closing time.

FAQ

Is Hohensalzburg fortress free?

No, you need an entrance fee for Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Is Fortress Hohensalzburg worth visiting?

When visiting Salzburg, a visit to Hohensalzburg Fortress is a must. It is the biggest castle complex of Europe with many highlights such as museums and the fortress grounds.

Do I receive free admission with the Salzburg Card?

Yes, with the Salzburg Card you enjoy free admission to Fortress Hohensalzburg as well as free rides on the FestungsBahn funicular. However, please note that free fortress admission and free funicular rides (up and down the mountain) are only redeemable on a one-time basis.

FAQ

Opening hours