Salzburger Stadtberge: "City Hills" of Salzburg
One of the best things about Salzburg is the unique skyline of the Altstadt with its domes, towers and spires, that blends in with the surrounding hills and mountains. Several of these hills are within the city limits, some even in the city centre. These are called the "Stadtberge" or city hills. Many of them are important recreational areas, usually protected landscapes and one of the main reasons why Salzburg is such a green place.
How many Stadtberge are there? Well, that depends on several things. Firstly, how far are you willing to go from the centre. Some count the Gaisberg in, others don′t. Secondly, what is a hill? Sometimes Festungsberg and Nonnberg are counted separately, sometimes not (geologically, they are one hill; historically, they were two economic entities). To create an analogy to Rome, you often hear that Salzburg was also built on seven hills. The Salzburger Nockerl traditionally come as four scoops, which should resemble "the four hills of Salzburg". It really is up to you which hills you want to take into consideration. Here is what you can choose from:
Mönchsberg: The prominent hill with several walls, castles and the museum of modern art on top. Extensive and great for hiking at any weather throughout the year.
Kapuzinerberg: The other prominent hill, which comes with the Kapuzinerkloster, Franziskischlössl and a similarly dense network of paths. Less suitable in winter and at rain than the Mönchsberg, though.
Festungsberg: The stretch of the Mönchsberg that is occupies by the Festung Hohensalzburg (aka Salzburg Castle).
Nonnberg: The cliff on the Festungsberg that is occupies by Stift Nonnberg, the Benedictine nunnery in prominent location.
Bürglstein: A cliff that is geologically associated with the Kapuzinerberg; to be found near Schloss Arenberg and easy to miss.
Rainberg: Populated since Neolithic times, once home of a Celtic town - the Rainberg is now a nature reserve and access is denied for environmental reasons.
Heuberg: One of the longer stretches from the Gaisberg and a very exclusive residential area; offers great vistas on the Kapuzinerberg.
Kühberg: Another stretch from the Gaisberg, less ideal for hiking, but also offering nice vistas on Kapuzinerberg and city centre.
Plainberg: Famous for the Basilica Maria Plain, a church of pilgrimage in prominent location. Offers great vistas on the city with the Alps in the background.
Gaisberg: A proper mountain that can be explored via a panorama road; great for hiking and an important recreational area for Salzburg.
Hellbrunner Berg: A hill in the south of the city; note the Monatsschlössl on it and the Steintheater, a theatre in an old quarry. The zoo is located right next to it. The hill is integrated into the parks of Hellbrunn Palace.
Morzger Hügel: Actually two small hills that are covered by forests; to be found in the south of the city, near the historic village and now district of Morzg.
Untersberg: Properly outside of the city, but a very prominent mountain with a cable car that is a key-element to the skyline of Salzburg. Popular day-trip for tourists and locals alike.
Hidden Treasures of Salzburg
Links
http://www.salzburg.com/wiki/index.php/Salzburger_Stadtberge
Salzburger Stadtberge on the SalzburgWiki (German!)
