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Salzburg with Kids: Finding Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary composers and musical genius of all time. I’m embarrassed to admit visiting Mozart’s birthplace or anything related to him didn’t even cross my mind when we were planning our trip to Salzburg, Austria. In recent years, Salzburg’s biggest draw has been the Sound of Music Tours to visit the popular movie’s film locations which was our plan. But, we found that Mozart was actually everywhere while walking the streets of Salzburg and in surprisingly different ways.

Mozart postcard

We first caught sight of the ubiquitous Mozart as we walked down the pedestrian shopping street of Getreidegasse. There were colorful window displays of Mozart and some creative souvenirs.

Mozart souvenirs

The yellow “Hagenauer House” at Getreidegasse 9 is one of Salzburg’s most visited attraction. You can tell with the number of tourists snapping photos of it. Mozart was born here on Jan 27, 1756 and where he spent part of his childhood.

Mozart birth house geburtshaus

It has now been turned into a small museum. We visited the museum but no photography was allowed inside. But, I did sneak in a couple of pictures for this blog’s sake. We went through the original rooms with exhibits, portraits, family artifacts and personal letters. Many of the signs had English translations. The kids preferred seeing the musical instruments though. Mozart’s musical instruments were displayed including his violin, harpsichord and piano from his childhood.

Mozart museum kitchen

My kids’ piano teacher introduced Mozart to them a few years ago so I’m glad they had some idea of who this musical genius was. I didn’t discover Mozart until we had to watch the movie Amadeus in junior high.  It was humbling to see where he was born. The museum was also a historical tour of life in the 18th century in Salzburg and a glimpse into the Mozart family history.

Mozart Museum

Since it was raining during our visit, it got pretty crowded in these small rooms with low ceilings and narrow staircases. Though, the museum was arranged and laid out well. The kids’ favorite part was the small area with computers that had interactive activities to learn more about Mozart and his music.  It was hard for us to comprehend a 5-year-old child writing compositions and performing them before European royalty.

Mozart Museum

The Mozart family moved into this much bigger house from 1773 to 1780 in Makart Square across from the river. We didn’t get the chance to go in here but visitors can see four historic keyboards and where Mozart spent his time as a teenager.

Mozart House

An imposing statue of Mozart has been the centerpiece of Mozartplatz Square since 1842.

Mozart statue salzburg

It’s not a very large square, by European standards, but is centrally located in the Old Town. This monument was the first one dedicated to him.

Mozartplatz Salzburg

We also passed by the Mozarteum Conservatory and Research Center. This was the first center dedicated to studying Mozart and his music. Many concerts are held in its hall.

Mozarteum Salzburg

The Salzburg Cathedral dominates part of Salzburg’s skyline. Don’t miss a visit to see its beautiful ornate interior. There were a lot of artwork and organs inside. Mozart was baptized here and the baptismal font still stands near the entrance.

Salzburg cathedral

Mozart was once an organist here too. How remarkable would it have been to witness young Mozart play those organs back then. We were lucky enough to be here when a choir was practicing and it was a perfect accompaniment during our visit.

Salzburg Cathedral inside

Mozart Week is hosted every year around his birthday. The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg hosts this special celebration with operas and various music concerts. This event was first held in 1956 to bring people all over the world to showcase Mozart’s music and appreciate the enormous contribution he made to the world.

Mozart festival sign

We saw the Mozart Dinner Concert advertised on brochures around Salzburg. This unique event is held at a hall in candlelight with the ambience and almost authenticity of Salzburg in 1790. This meant a historical menu and musicians wearing costumes from that period performing Mozart’s music. It sounded interesting and one I actually would have liked attending. Though, I don’t think I could have dragged my husband and kids to this dinner. Lucky for them, we didn’t stay overnight in Salzburg.

Mozart puppets

Not surprisingly, even Salzburg’s W. A. Mozart airport is named after its famous son. But, there was nothing more abundant around Salzburg than various chocolate shops and souvenir stores selling the Mozartkugel (Mozart chocolate balls) and first known as a Mozartbonbon.

Mozartkugeln salzburg

The original Salzburg Mozartkugeln was first created by a confectioner, Paul Fürst, in 1884 in honor of Mozart. It was a green pistachio marzipan ball, covered in nougat layer and coated with chocolate. Over the years, other confectioners copied the recipe with different variations to the name and recipe. The original Fürst chocolates (in blue covers) are still made by hand and sold at three stores around Salzburg.

Mozart window display

As a family of chocolate lovers, we had our fair share of Mozartkugels. They were delicious and so addicting. Let’s just say some bags didn’t make it back home.

Mozartkugel Salzburg

Finding Mozart and learning about his life and music in Salzburg was a pleasant surprise. Mozart’s music and memory is very much alive in this historic city and his hometown. So, if you make it to Salzburg, keep your eyes open for different tributes to Mozart. I don’t think my kids will forget Mozart anytime soon. How can you with souvenirs like these?

Mozart ducks salzburg

Have you followed Mozart’s path in Salzburg or had a Mozartkugel?

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Mozart in Salzburg

35 thoughts on “Salzburg with Kids: Finding Mozart”

  1. a lovely tour – it was great that your children were able to see where Mozart lived and follow some of his journey. The cathedral is so beautiful – they know how to build cathedrals in Europe.
    Have a great week.

  2. I think a visit to Mozart’s childhood home is a great way to make the guy come alive. I do love his music and would enjoy being in Salzburg for any sort of musical celebration. I guess people have seized an opportunity with chocolate – making the guy even more unforgettable.

    I can well imagine that a choir playing in that building would be magnificent to hear.

    1. From what I’ve read, rights to the chocolate name have been quite controversial. The choir was awesome. I’m glad they were able to take advantage of having the Mozart connection here.

  3. Hello Mary, yes I did follow’s Mozart path with passion and had the Mozartkugel!
    Ha! Ha! Thanks for that sneaky shot – brings back memories. I’m so impressed that the kids had the appreciation for Mozart stuff at such early age. Too bad you didn’t get to attend that dinner. I would have love to bethe myself. Maybe you and I should go back together and make a date out of it?

    1. I am game, Marisol. :) It would be such a great cultural experience to attend that dinner concert. I’m just glad my kids knew who Mozart was and can appreciate his music. It made the visit here a bit more meaningful.

  4. Salzburg is delightful, isn’t it? We were fortunate enough to visit one year during the Mozart Festival – the city was alive with small classical concerts held in opulent churches, ornate halls and other great venues. Totally wonderful!

  5. I wasn’t really thinking about Mozart before I went to Salzburg either, but there he was! I enjoyed his birthplace and museum. There’s something about being in places like that where such famous people lived so long ago.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed Mozart’s Salzburg too, Cathy. amazing how he was everywhere. It’s a great lesson in history and amazes me with what they had accomplished given the obstacles back then.

  6. Kinda fun to sneak in some shots, isn’t it, Mary?
    I remember that movie now. Man, feels like ages ago! Glad you were able to do the tour and make Mozart come alive for your kids. I bet they’ll have lots to talk about when the see their teacher again.

    1. It was fun but I wish I had more of those sneaky shots. I vaguely remember the movie too. My kids had fun telling their piano teacher what they saw in Salzburg. She was very happy they knew about Mozart from her.

    1. This ducks are not the original ones – please take a look at http://www.austroducks.com. You will find the original handpainted Mozartducks, made from natural rubber , for example in the Shops of Mozart Birthplace or Recidens and in the Viennese Staatoperahouse. Painted with Latexcolours the are safe for kids as well….
      All the best from Salzburg
      rudi

  7. I love Mozartkugel but didn’t realize that more than one confectioner made them. Perhaps only one exports them to the USA? I think I would have also enjoyed the Mozart Dinner, too. Do you remember that song “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco?

  8. No matter how many times I visit Salzburg, it is always magical. Last visit, we attended a chamber music concert, Mozart of course, in the castle and it was one of my all time favorite experiences.

    1. What a great experience. I hope to go back and attend one of those Mozart concerts. Lucky for you to have done this in Salzburg. You’re right, there is something magical about Salzburg.

  9. WOw I grew up playing Mozart on piano and violin so I would have been absolutely thrilled to get a chance to see this! It’s so amazing that to think someone as amazingly smart and genius like him still influences so much of our music today, so many years later!

  10. I obviously love reading all of the posts of the many travel bloggers and I now read. But, Salzburg is special in that it’s the one city my aunt picked out for me between Germany and Austria that she would recommend I move to on one of her many trips there. I haven’t made it. Thank you, Mary! :-)

  11. What a great tour – the Salzburg Cathedral is incredible! I don’t think that I could possibly leave Salzburg without both a Mozart doll and a Mozart rubber duckie though!!

  12. As a kid, our parents arranged a lot of cultural activities whilst travelling. At the time, we’d rather than been on the beach. But now, looking back, we recognize our memory scrapbook is all the more fuller for such experiences. Good on you for giving your children a fun education.

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