Lost in time and almost forgotten: that’s Steinbruch Schlößl. Its story whispers secrets of Salzburg’s past. Salzburg, a city known for Mozart and Baroque architecture, holds more than meets the eye. Even though I can´t tell you many things about this specific place, I can provide an overview of Salzburg’s rich history.
Salzburg started as a Celtic settlement. Romans later founded the city of Iuvavum in 15 BC. After the Roman Empire fell, Iuvavum was abandoned. Saint Rupert revived the city in 699 AD. He established St. Peter’s Abbey. He became Salzburg’s patron saint.
The name Salzburg appeared around 755 AD. Construction on the Hohensalzburg Fortress began in 1077. A major fire in 1166 destroyed much of the city. The plague killed a third of the population during the 14th century. Salzburg became independent from Bavaria. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Stiegl brewery, a top attraction, was founded in 1492. Jews were expelled from Salzburg that same year. Social unrest led to peasant riots. The fortress was besieged for three months in 1525.
Prince Archbishops like Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau transformed Salzburg. They used salt trade wealth to create Baroque architecture. Magnificent palaces and gardens emerged. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756.
The Prince Archbishops lost power in 1803. Salzburg became part of the Austrian Empire. It slowly recovered during the 19th century. In 1816, Salzburg officially became part of Austria. New districts arose around the train station.
After World War I, the Austrian Empire dissolved. The Salzburg Festival started in 1920. The city attracted intellectuals. In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany. Book burnings and Jewish persecutions began.
World War II bombings destroyed almost half the city. US troops occupied Salzburg after the war. The city recovered with help from the Marshall Plan. The University of Salzburg was re-established in the 1960s.
Salzburg benefited from ties to Germany and Eastern Europe. Austria joined the European Union in 1995. UNESCO recognized Salzburg as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1997. Salzburg is now a cultural and prosperous city.
Although Steinbruch Schlößl may be obscure, it reminds us of Salzburg’s long and vibrant history. The city continues to thrive. It balances its past with a bright future.