Salzburg

Salzburg


Salzburg
Location within Austria
Salzburg
Salzburg (Austria)
Coordinates: 47°48′00″N 13°02′42″E / 47.80000°N 13.04500°E / 47.80000; 13.04500
Country Austria
Federal stateSalzburg
DistrictStatutory city
Government
  MayorBernhard Auinger (SPÖ)
Area
  Total
65.65 km2 (25.35 sq mi)
Elevation
424 m (1,391 ft)
Population
 (1 October 2020)
  Total
157,245
  Density2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi)
Demonym(s)English: Salzburger or Salzburgian
German: Salzburger (m.), Salzburgerin (f.)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
5020
Area code0662
Vehicle registrationS
Websitewww.stadt-salzburg.at
Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
UNESCO World Heritage Site
CriteriaCultural: ii, iv, vi
Reference784
Inscription1996 (20th Session)
Area236 ha
Buffer zone467 ha

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2020 its population was 156,852. The city lies on the Salzach River, near the border with Germany and at the foot of the Alps mountains.

The town occupies the site of the Roman settlement of Iuvavum. Founded as an episcopal see in 696, it became a seat of the archbishop in 798. Its main sources of income were salt extraction, trade, as well as gold mining. The fortress of Hohensalzburg, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe, dates from the 11th century. In the 17th century, Salzburg became a centre of the Counter-Reformation, with monasteries and numerous Baroque churches built. Salzburg has an extensive cultural and educational history, being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and being home to three universities and a large student population. Today, along with Vienna and the Tyrol, Salzburg is one of Austria's most popular tourist destinations.

Salzburg's historic center (German: Altstadt) is renowned for its Baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps. The historic center was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.