Moenchsberg, Salzburg

Moenchsberg, Salzburg

At an elevation of 507 meters (1,663 ft) above sea level, the Mönchsberg is one of five mountains situated in the Salzburg municipality. It derives its name from the Benedictine monks of St Peter's Abbey, located at the northern base of the mountain.

Carved into the rock walls above the St Peter's Cemetery, which dates back to around 700, are Early Christian hermitages referred to as Katakomben (catacombs), but they were never used as burial places.

From 1764 to 1766, the Sigmundstor (also known as Neutor), a city gate measuring 131 m (430 ft) in length and adorned with ornate Baroque portals, was constructed through the mountain on the orders of Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach. It is currently one of the oldest street tunnels in Central Europe. During World War II, large air-raid shelters were built inside the mountain, some of which were later expanded after 1970 to create an underground car park capable of accommodating over 1400 vehicles.

The Mönchsberg plateau provides a pleasant mix of forests and meadows, making it a popular local recreational area for both Salzburg residents and tourists. Since 2004, the peak of the Mönchsberg has been home to the second location of the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art. Visitors have been able to reach the location via an elevator within the mountain since 1890. The panorama terrace adjacent to the museum is a popular spot, offering a view of the entire old town.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salzburg. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Moenchsberg on Map

Sight Name: Moenchsberg
Sight Location: Salzburg, Austria (See walking tours in Salzburg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Salzburg, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Salzburg

Create Your Own Walk in Salzburg

Creating your own self-guided walk in Salzburg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salzburg Introduction Walking Tour

Salzburg Introduction Walking Tour

Dubbed the "City of Mozart", the enchanting Austrian city of Salzburg has gone down in history primarily as the hometown of its greatest son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birthplace on Getreidegasse, a busy shopping street, is now a museum, much like the Mozart Residence, a place where the 18th-century composer spent much of his early life.

Apart from Mozart, however, Salzburg is also...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Sound of Music Tour

Sound of Music Tour

As the hometown of Mozart, Salzburg is a true mecca for music fans, with no shortage of visitors. In the past few decades, though, Salzburg's Old Town has gained international fame thanks to the Hollywood film "The Sound of Music," shot in 1965. Set on the eve of World War II, the movie follows the lead characters, the Von Trapp family and their nanny played by Julie Andrews, all...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Religious Buildings Walking Tour

The historic center of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, is home to numerous landmarks, including religious sites. Collectively, these historical sanctuaries, from small churches to the impressive Baroque-style Salzburg Cathedral, bear witness to the city's fascinating past and contribute a great deal of charm to its alluring present.

The local Saint Peter's Abbey is...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Mozart Walking Tour

Mozart Walking Tour

Salzburg was Mozart's home throughout most of his short life. For those who wish to immerse themselves in the Mozart world, there are several locations in the city well worth exploring.

Born on Grain Street (Getreidegasse) and baptized in the nearby Cathedral, Mozart played his first big concert, at age 6, at the Residence Palace.

Later, he served as an organist for the Cathedral,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Old Town Gift Shops

Old Town Gift Shops

Specialty shops make up an integral part of tourist life in Salzburg. The picturesque Old Town of Salzburg boasts a delightful array of gift shops, all within a pleasant walking distance, offering a diverse range of souvenirs and local treasures. Let's take a stroll through some of the notable establishments in this historic area.

We start at Kirchtag, a quaint gift shop known for its...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles