Salzburg Museum, Salzburg

Housed in the terrific Neue Residenz (New Residence) that took over a hundred years to complete, this museum provides a wealth of information about the city from the days of its establishment by the Romans about 15 B.C. to the times of the prince archbishops who spared no expense in creating so many wonderful buildings still standing today, and until its union with Austria in 1816 after the Napoleonic Wars and a brief spell under Bavarian rule (the celebrations around the visit of the Austrian Emperor Francis I to Salzburg in the same year are well recounted).

The city's dependence on salt and locally mined gold is covered just as well as its musical heritage, with information about both the Haydn and Mozart families, plus a large display of instruments accompanied by headphones and touch screens to hear each being played. Pride of place, however, is given to the monumental Sattler Panorama, one of the few remaining 360-degree paintings in the world, which depicts Salzburg around the year 1829 (make sure you are given a combination ticket including the Panorama Museum – otherwise you might not get through the turnstile in the Panorama Passage).

Why You Should Visit:
If you're interested in seeing and hearing the history of Salzburg, then you must spend a few hours inside this museum.
There are several permanent exhibits here that walk you through it, but also some special exhibitions for only 1 or 2 months.

Tip:
Thursday evening guided tours (6pm) are offered w/ reduced admission price & changing themes (see events programme).