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In Salzburg, Austria, last spring I skipped around the fountain at the Mirabel Palace.
Others too.
About 60 years ago, Maria and the von Trapp children danced around the palace’s Pegasus fountain, singing “Do-Re-Me,” one of the most famous songs from The Sound of Music.
The movie tells the story of the von Trapp family and the novice nun Maria, who serves as a governess to seven children and later (spoiler alert) marries their father to escape the Nazi regime after the annexation of Austria.
Salzburg plans to celebrate the beloved musical
The film, starring Julie Andrews, was released in March 1965. In honor of the film’s 60th anniversary, the city is celebrating with themed tours and events throughout the year.
The Pegasus Fountain at the Mirabel Palace in Salzburg.
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From February 6, the Schloss Leopoldskron hotel will host an exhibition of objects related to the real von trapp family as well as memorabilia and photos from the film.
New audio guide applicationwith on-set stories told by Nicholas Hammond, who plays Friedrich von Trapp in the film, will lead visitors on a trail around the town of Werfen, where the picnic scene was filmed.
Throughout the year, the Salzburg Puppet Theater will broadcast “The Lonely Shepherd,“ as performed by the children in the film by dressing up special shows.
Salzburg Puppet Theatre, recognized by UNESCO, was opened in 1913.
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If you love the dirndl dresses worn by the women in the film, then Salzburger Heimatwerk, traditional store at Residenzplatz 9, is designing a special anniversary outfit in honor of the film and will hold a one-off exhibition.
An English-language symposium is scheduled for Oct. 23 to discuss the relevance and importance of “The Sound of Music” to Salzburg today, according to SalzburgerLand, the city’s tourism marketing organization. The Felsenreitschule theater will feature the original actors on the panel. In the evening there will be a themed gala concert with original music and performances, and again with the participation of actors.
At the end of the year, the Salzburg Theater will present the musical “The Sound of Music” in German with English subtitles. There are performances scheduled for the selected dates in November and December.
Restaurants such as Stiftskulinarium St. Peter — which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Europe — will offer a special movie-themed menu featuring regional dishes.
A little late to the party, the Sound of Music Museum is set to open in Salzburg in 2026.
Location of movies in Salzburg
The Mirabel Gardens are one of the many filming locations that tourists can see in Salzburg. Not far from the Pegasus Fountain is the rather strange Gnome Garden, with sculptures of 320-year-old mischievous gnomes who made a cameo appearance in the film.
To follow the film from the beginning, head to the ancient Benedictine Abbey of Nonberg, dating back to 714, where Mary struggled to become a nun. The monastery is located directly below the Hohensalzburg Palace, which towers over Salzburg. The views are stunning.
A woman sits in the Nonberg Abbey in Salzburg.
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Follow Mary’s Way from the abbey and enter the Old Town through the arches past Salzburg Cathedral to the Residenzplatz, where she splashed in the fountain before boarding a bus to travel to the von Trapp home outside Salzburg.
Other sights in Salzburg include the Mozartstag, the small Maria Bridge and the children crossing it while singing “My Favorite Things” the market they visit is at Kajetanerplatz, which still hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market every Friday.
One of the locations shown later in the film is truly stunning Rock riding schoolthe theater where the Von Trapps sing during the Salzburg Music Festival, and which is the venue for the annual festival to this day.
St. Peter’s Cemetery, founded in the 7th century, remains a popular tourist attraction.
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After their performance, the family flees to the cemetery. St. Peter’s Abbey is listed as a filming location for the film, but scenes depicting it are picturesque St. Peter’s Cemetery were mostly shot on recreated Hollywood sets.
For a special treat, stop by Hotel Sacher Salzburg, where Julie Andrews stayed while filming the movie.
seeing “the hill”
The hill that comes to life with the music — and which is featured in the opening scenes of the film — is in Germany, just over the border with Austria. The actual site is on private land and the owner is reportedly not interested in tourists. However, there are public trails along the meadow, and if you decide to see it, it’s worth it along the mountain path take a look
It’s easier to get to Untersberg, where Maria and the children had a picnic, and from where there are wonderful views of the mountains and Salzburg. It is often included on “Sounds of Music” tours, but if you want to go solo, it’s a short 20 minute taxi ride.
And what about the von Trapp house? The original family villa stands in a secluded park at Traunstrasse 34. Once the true home of the von Trapp family, it was later converted into a hotel, which has unfortunately since closed, and the gardens are also closed to the public. But you can walk around the grounds and catch a glimpse of the actual Villa Trapp.
Other places near Salzburg
In the movie, the house was much bigger, actually a palace: Leopoldskron Palace on the lakeside of the same name. The house is featured in the opening credits and throughout the film.
Leopoldskron Palace was used as the home of the von Trapp family in The Sound of Music.
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Remember when Mary and all the children overturned the boat? The Great Palace, dated 1736, was removed together with v Fronburg Palace (now part of the Salzburg University Mozarteum), for exterior and interior photography. And, as an added bonus, Leopoldskron Palace has been transformed into a luxury hotel, so guests can experience some of the interior from the film.
By the way, the original white music gazebo, in which the stars are often filmed, has been moved Helbrunn Palace.
The relocated Von Trapp Gazebo is closed to the public.
Source: Prudence Andreia Goh
And finally, the wedding venue. Maria and Captain von Trapp tied the knot in the beautiful Basilica of St. Michael in Mondeuil, which translates to Lake of the Moon. Mondeje is 18 miles from Salzburg and can be reached by bus 140 in 40 minutes.
The charming little town is a great place to end your trip and stay for a day or two. The mountains of the lake are ideal for recreation “The story of the Trapp family singers“, written by Maria von Trapp.
Can’t make it to Salzburg?
When the von Trapp family fled war-torn Europe, they settled in Vermont. Today, the manor house has been expanded and can remain in its original form Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stow. The hotel, whose setting and decor is the best to visit in Austria, is also full of real family history.
The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is just one of many theaters across the U.S. showing The Sound of Music in 2025. musical beginning in Septemberand goes on tour in December.
