A silent sentinel stands before you. This is the Fuchsstein Marterl. What stories does it hold within its weathered stones?
Salzburg’s history stretches back to the Stone Age. However, the city truly flourished in the Middle Ages and Baroque periods. Romans founded the first city in 15 BC. They named it Iuvavum. After the Roman Empire fell, Iuvavum was abandoned. It crumbled into ruins.
Around 700 AD, Saint Rupert received these ruins. The Duke of Bavaria gifted them to him. Rupert became the city’s bishop. He launched St Peter’s Abbey. Today, he is Salzburg’s patron saint.
The name Salzburg appeared in records around 755 AD. Work on the Hohensalzburg Fortress began in 1077. A dispute between the archbishop and German Emperor Barbarossa led to arson in 1166. The fire destroyed much of the city.
The 14th century saw about a third of Salzburg’s population die from the plague. Despite this devastation, Salzburg became independent from Bavaria. It became an entity within the Holy Roman Empire.
The Stiegl brewery was founded in 1492. It remains a popular attraction today. That same year, Jews were expelled from Salzburg. Social unrest sparked riots among peasants. Salzburg was occupied during the Bauernkriege. The fortress was besieged for three months in 1525 before the rioters were defeated.
Salzburg reached its prime during the 17th and 18th centuries. Prince Archbishops like Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and Markus Sittikus transformed the city. They used wealth from the salt trade to create magnificent Baroque architecture. Palaces, churches, and gardens sprang up.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756. He is Salzburg’s most famous son.
After 1803, the Prince Archbishops lost their secular power during the Napoleonic Wars. Salzburg became part of various provinces. Eventually, it joined the Austrian Empire. The city quietly recovered during the 19th century. It slowly recovered from French and Bavarian looting.
In 1816, Salzburg officially became part of Austria. It did not fully recover economically or culturally until the late 19th century. The city removed old fortifications and built new districts around the station. The station was built in the Neo-classicist style typical of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After World War I, the Austrian Empire dissolved. The Salzburg Festival was founded in 1920. Salzburg became a fashionable summer destination. Wealthy people and intellectuals flocked to the city. However, the First Republic was politically and economically unstable. In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany. Book burnings occurred on Residenzplatz. Jews and other Nazi victims were persecuted. A synagogue was destroyed that November.
During World War II, air strikes destroyed almost half the city’s buildings, especially near the station. Unexploded bombs are still occasionally found in Salzburg.
After the war, US troops occupied Salzburg. The city recovered rapidly with support from the Marshall Plan. The University of Salzburg was re-established in the 1960s.
Salzburg grew steadily. It benefited from close ties to Germany. After 1989, it benefited from historic ties with Eastern Europe. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
Salzburg became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997. This honored its unique Baroque structure. Today, Salzburg thrives with culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. It looks toward a bright future.
The Fuchsstein Marterl stands as a silent witness to this long and vibrant history. It reminds us of Salzburg’s resilience. It reflects the city’s enduring beauty. Take a moment to appreciate its presence. Consider the stories it could tell.