April 15th: Salzburg Castle

It is Sunday and mostly all the shops are closed (except of course the souvenir shops)!  This is a good time then to make the trip up the mountain in the middle of the city to see Hohensalzburg Fortress.  

The fortress looms over the city giving the feelings of protection or being watched.  But the fortress held for hundreds of years and to look at that steep mountain and imagine attacking it looks impossible.  We  take the funicular for a small fee and we land at the castle in no time flat.  The view is fantastic of the beautiful River, City and bordering all is the beautiful Alps.  It is simply stunning.  

A walk through the castle proves fascinating as there is displayed various weapons and defenses as well as various tortures forced upon those that got sideways with the authorities.  Do not ever estimate the ability of man to do unspeakable things to other humans!  There are drawing of a mans hand about to be crushed with a large hammer,  men being stretched until the arms are pulled from the socket and other gastly things.  The weapons of war include poles with hooks to jerk a warrior close for bludgeon them.  As war progressed the guns and rockets and gas was introduced.  We take a deep breath and go on to other parts of the castle.  

There is a room dedicated to the art form of puppets and displays from the early 1900s from the famous puppeteers from Salzburg.  Mozarts “Queen of the night” out of the magic flute plays and the puppets act out the opera.  Outside the views beg you to stay and have wine or a beer and Krim and Clyde take advantage.  

We all walk down and enjoy a different view at each turn.  Down to the city and over the bridge and through the park and up the stairs where The Sound of Music Kids danced and sang.  Up to our Lounge for wine to finish another lovely day in this special place.  Time to leave, tomorrow we head for Vienna.