View of the "Altstadt" (old town) taken from the Müllner foot bridge downstream. The Altstadt, where all the historic buildings are located, is hemmed in between a 400-feet-high block of Dolomite rock and an unbroken front of buildings on the Salzach River. Within these confines is a most interesting town filled with tight alleys and maze-like passages, where it is easy to get lost!

Walking up the steep hill to the Festnung Hohensalzburg ("high fortress") in the early evening, I could hear sounds of Mozart piano music descending through the air from one of the open windows. Musicians were preparing for the 7 P.M. concert in the castle.

Evening view from the Hohensalzburg Fortress, with the Altstadt immediately below, the newer "downtown" across the Salzach river (center), and the northwest suburbs (where I stayed) in the upper left hand corner of the photo.

"Behind" the Hohensalzburg Fortress, showing more suburbs and the Alps in the background.

Mozart's Geburtshaus (birth house), seen immediately upon entering the Altstadt through the narrow opening located between Market Steg and Staats Brüke.

Chess match aside the Dom ("Cathedral"). The Dom, built between 1614 and 1655, is one of the principal attractions in Salzburg. Mozart was baptized here in 1756. Unfortunatley, I couldn't get a good picture of the front of this massive Baroque building because the Dom Platz (open square in front of the Dom) was filled with temporary "bleachers" (platforms) set up for a huge concert.

Cloudy day view of the scenic Residenz Platz with "Sound of Music" fountain.

Another view of the Residenz Platz with Residenz buildings (center) and Michaelskirche (right). The present Residenz buildings, which were modified in 1595, took the place of a building which had been the residence of the prince-archbishops since the middle of the 11th century. In the Conference Hall the young Mozart conducted many concerts before guests of the prince-archbishop.

Steeples of Michaelskirche (foreground) and Dom (background), taken from Mozartplatz. The cafe at the base of Michaelskirche offered pleasant piano and violin entertainment in the evenings - not as nice as the Mozart concert in the Hohensalzburg Fortress, but much cheaper!

Example of narrow, yet scenic alleyway in the Altstadt. I believe that this one was near the Franzikanerkirche.

The famous Mirabellgarten, with great view of the Altstadt. The Schoß Mirabell ("Palace" building to the left) has its beginnings in the 17th century, although it was rebuilt after a fire in 1818. This ornate building now houses offices of the city admininstration.

Colorful flowers in the Mirabellgarten.

Three of several "Zwergfigurines" ("dwarf statues") located in a peaceful, wooded park next to the Schoß Mirabell.

Beautiful Austrian woman, from whom I rented a room at a very reasonable rate. Her house in the northern suburbs was most lovely and incredibly clean. From there it was about a 10-minute bus ride or 25-minute walk to the Altstadt.

Tapping a new keg of beer in the Augustiner Bräustübl, a monk-run brewery. This place was incredible - with a huge outdoor, shaded beer garden and several indoor beer halls. I would have taken more pictures but it started raining that night. The food was basic but good, although a little salty. I definitely recommend this place, located north outside of the Altstadt on Augustinergasse .

Rainy evening view of Salzburg, taken from a quiet walk on the Mönchsberg (hill adjacent to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and just over the hill from the Augustiner Bräustübl). It was quite relaxing to get away from the throngs of tourists and walk in the gentle, cool drizzle.

Night view of Salzburg, taken from the banks of the Salzach on my way back to my room. It was pleasant to sit there in the cool air hearing the lapping of the Salzach and subdued sounds of evening walkers, bikers, and skaters passing by on the sidewalk behind me.