Key Facts at a Glance

Mirabell Palace in Salzburg is one of Austria’s most famous Baroque structures and, together with its expansive gardens, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a token of love for Salome Alt, the complex—following a devastating fire in 1818—now presents a more understated, Neoclassical appearance. Beyond its historical significance as a princely residence, the palace attracts millions of visitors annually, drawn primarily by the magnificent Marble Hall, the Angel Staircase, and the Mirabell Gardens, which offer a view of Hohensalzburg Fortress. Today, the building serves as the seat of the Salzburg municipal administration and the mayor.

A Palace Born of Love: The Story of Its Origins

The history of Mirabell Palace is closely linked to one of the most famous romances of the Salzburg Baroque era. In 1606, Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau commissioned the construction of the complex just outside the city walls of the time. It served as a country residence for his secret partner, Salome Alt, and their fifteen children, and was originally named Schloss Altenau.

Following the ousting and imprisonment of Wolf Dietrich in 1612, his successor and nephew, Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, expelled Salome Alt and her children from the estate. To erase the memory of his predecessor, he renamed the property *Schloss Mirabell*—a name derived from the Italian words *mirabile* (“admirable”) and *bella* (“beautiful”). In the 17th century, under Prince-Archbishop Paris von Lodron, the complex was integrated into Salzburg’s expanded city limits through the construction of defensive ramparts.

Architectural Transformation: From Opulent Baroque to Neoclassicism

In the early 18th century, Prince-Archbishop Franz Anton von Harrach commissioned the renowned Baroque architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt to fundamentally redesign and expand the palace. The result was a magnificent Baroque palace featuring elaborate roof sections and statuary.

However, a devastating city fire on April 30, 1818, destroyed large parts of the palace. The fact that the most significant art treasures were saved is due to a stroke of luck: the grand staircase and the Marble Hall remained virtually untouched by the fire. Reconstruction was carried out under the direction of the Viennese court architect Peter de Nobile. He dispensed with the opulent Baroque elements of the façade, giving the building the simple appearance—defined by the symmetry of Neoclassicism—that it retains today.

Highlights of the Palace Interior

The Marble Hall

Once the ceremonial hall of the Prince-Archbishops, this room is now considered one of the most magnificent and romantic wedding venues in the world. The walls are clad in genuine marble, faux marble, and gilded stucco. Leopold Mozart and his children, Nannerl and Wolfgang Amadeus, once performed music here. In addition to civil wedding ceremonies, the hall now serves as the setting for the famous Mirabell Palace Concerts.

The Angel Staircase

The grand staircase in the west wing leads up to the Marble Hall and ranks among the most impressive staircases of the Baroque era. It was designed by Georg Raphael Donner. The artfully curved marble balustrade is adorned with countless playful figures of angels (putti).

The Mirabell Gardens: Baroque Garden Art and Global Fame

The expansive Mirabell Gardens were redesigned around 1690 under Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun, based on plans by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Their layout is precisely aligned with the city’s landmark—Hohensalzburg Fortress—and Salzburg Cathedral.

Key Features of the Gardens:

• Grand Parterre & Pegasus Fountain: At the center of the large fountain stand four groups of figures by Ottavio Mosto, symbolizing the four elements (fire, air, earth, and water). The bronze Pegasus sculpture is located nearby.
• The Dwarf Garden: Created in 1695, this area is the oldest dwarf garden in Europe. Of the original 28 whimsical figures carved from white Untersberg marble, 17 remain on display today.
• The Hedge Theater: It is one of the oldest surviving hedge theaters north of the Alps and is used for cultural performances during the summer.
• Filming Location for “The Sound of Music”: The gardens achieved international cult status as a primary filming location for the American musical film The Sound of Music. The scene in which Julie Andrews dances around the Pegasus Fountain with the children while singing “Do-Re-Mi” made the gardens famous worldwide.

The Palace Today

Since 1947, Mirabell Palace has served as the official seat of the Mayor of Salzburg and houses parts of the municipal administration. The Mirabell Gardens are open to the public free of charge during the day throughout the year, while the Marble Hall and the Angel Staircase.

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Admission to the publicly accessible areas of Mirabell Palace is free.

Overview of Prices

• Mirabell Gardens: Free admission (accessible daily during daylight hours).
• Palace Building & Angel Staircase: Free admission (during regular opening hours).
• Marble Hall: Free admission (open for viewing, provided no weddings or events are taking place).

Exceptions Requiring Payment

Fees apply only if you attend an event or get married there:

• Mirabell Palace Concerts: Tickets for the classical concerts in the Marble Hall generally cost between €30.00 and €45.00, depending on the category and event.

By car

If you are arriving by car, please note that the historic city center surrounding the palace is largely a pedestrian zone or a short-term parking zone.

• Directions:
  Take the A1 motorway (Westautobahn) and exit at Salzburg-Mitte, then follow Ignaz-Harrer-Straße and Saint-Julien-Straße towards the city center/Mirabell.
• Parking options (parking garages on-site):
  • Contipark Mirabell-Congress-Garage (underground): Located directly beneath Mirabellplatz (Address: Mirabellplatz 5). It is just a two-minute walk from there to the palace.
  • Contipark Raiffeisen parking garage: Also within easy walking distance (Address: Schwarzstraße 13).

By public transport

Traveling by train and bus is the most relaxed option, as the palace is very centrally located:

• From Salzburg Central Station (on foot):
  The palace is located just about 1 kilometer south of the central station. You can reach it on foot in approximately 10 to 15 minutes by walking straight along Rainerstraße.
• By city bus:
  Almost all major bus lines (including lines 1, 3, 5, 6, and 25) stop directly at the Salzburg Mirabellplatz stop. From there, it is just a few steps to the palace entrance and the Mirabell Gardens.