Nonnberg Abbey

history: Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest female convent north of the Alps. It has been in continual existence since it was founded in the year 714 A.D.

In the course of its history the abbey was destroyed by fire several times, but it was always rebuilt by the rulers of the city and the church. Today's building was erected in the early 16th century. The wooden gothic altar by the sculptor Veit Stoss is especially worth seeing. It is located in the St. John's Chapel near the gate.

After graduating from college, Maria Augusta von Kutschera took a train to Salzburg to present herself as a candidate for the novitiate of the Benedictine sisterhood. After serving as a governess outside the abbey she and Baron von Trapp married in the Abbey Church in 1927.

the film: The Abbey on the Nonnberg is significant both for the real Trapp story as well as for the movie.

The Sound of Music scenes shot here include the opening part where the nuns go to mass and Maria returns too late. The performance for the song "Maria" was staged in the courtyard of the abbey. The children came to the abbey´s gate to ask Maria to return to their home (see picture). The escape scene, with the cars parked outside the Abbey gate, was also shot in the original spot.

Mozart bridge

history: The little Mozart footbridge across the Salzach River is one of the many bridges uniting Salzburg's rivercrossed heart. The Makartsteg, another footbridge down the river has been reopened in July 2001 and is one of the stops for the "Boat and Ride" system.

the film: That's another part of the "Do re mi" that leads you all through Salzburg. Children clad in curtains running along the river and across the bridge having a lot of fun.