They indeed are like heaven during the summer. While winter brings a very different charm, but summer in Salzburg is truly special. I was only a few years old in 1993 and don't remember much, but nature and also the historic old town have probably not changed much. They never do. Thanks for sharing your memories
Thank you so much for the comment and sorry for the late reply. It's great to know that you found the video helpful. I hope you also enjoy the festival performances and hope you had a great time on the tour in case you joined.
In the 1980s, these were the two main traditions of this iconic, very big music fest which turns out to be factoids..... 1. They announce the first day of the festival with very loud booming blasts from bottle cannons. The cannons contained a few hundred grams of flash powder (aka salute powder). 2. On the last day of the festival, the guests hold their own candles around an outside Salzburg water fountain, and then, throw all of the candles into the fountain as a group, eventually extinguishing all of the candles. This is a little bit like the "crema" in the Fallas Fireworks Festival in Spain - when something fades away, the festival is over. Other factoids from the Salzburg Festival in the 1980s....... 1. At one time, Wagner's "Lohengrin" was produced. 2. The ticket prices for the concerts/performances are inflated every Festival year. Each following year they get more costly, and for many Salzburg residents, it was just too pricey to attend. The reason why ticket prices are high - they have a lot of famous performers who demanded such costly prices.
Thank you for sharing these fascinating traditions from the 1980s! The salute powder is indeed used on many occasions in Salzburg, not just during the festival. You can hear the booming blasts from the fortress, the Museum of Modern Art, and Kapuzinerberg Mountain during holidays and other special events. And you're right about the ticket prices-they do get more expensive each year, largely due to the famous performers who participate. Your factoids provide great insight into the history of the Salzburg Festival. Thanks again for your input!
wow. Thank you very much for the video, very informative. I plan to do 2 weeks in Austria, one for the festival and the other in Vienna. For my week at the Salzburg Festival, what is the best week? At the start of the festival in July or at the end of August? Thank you 😊
I am glad you found the video informative. Thank you for the comment. That sounds like a great plan. I would prefer the beginning of the festival, maybe even attend the premieres if you can get tickets. At the beginning, in the middle of July, it still feels very special that the festival is on again. Maybe it's just me because I'm a tour guide and pass by the concert hall every day but after 6 weeks of festival I am almost glad when it's over again 😄 If you can choose, I would choose the second week of the festival because the public opening happens after the first week of concert, so there are things happening not only in the concert hall but all over the city. The most interesting public event is the torch dance "Fackeltanz" at residence square. But the end of the festival is also a good time. I don't think it matters too much and at the end of August Salzburg is already a little less busy again. I hope that helps and hope you have a great trip to Austria. If you have any further questions, please let me know! All the best, Gerhard
Interesting video. I’m planning a trip to Austria in July/August, and will be taking your walking tour in Salzburg. Would it be better to plan visiting Salzburg during first 2 weeks of July to avoid music festival crowds, for hotel availability, and streets from being blocked off? Thanks in advance!
Hey, thank you! I look forward to guiding you in July. As for hotel availability and crowds, it would be better. The first two weeks of July won't be as crowded as the second half of the month, but it seems that tourism is picking up, so it could be very crowded and booked out already during the first two weeks of July. As for road closures, you don't have to worry. The festival takes place almost only inside the concert hall. It is not what you would imagine a festival to be like. If you don't attend any of the concerts, you won't notice too much of it.
@@freewalkingtoursalzburg Thank you so much for the quick reply. Really useful know those details. Looking forward to visiting Austria in couple of months.
Hi Michael, thank you for your comment and interest in my tours. On the tour we do pass by the university and address the topic, but we do not have a special university tour. That would be a great idea though. The Salzburg university is spread all over the old town and there is a lot to discover.
Thank you so much. It's great to hear that you found my advice useful. Especially the topic of the festival is very relevant at the moment. It's peak festival season. Enjoy your time in Salzburg!
I was there for it in 1993. Salzburg and the surrounding regions are like heaven during the summer.
They indeed are like heaven during the summer. While winter brings a very different charm, but summer in Salzburg is truly special. I was only a few years old in 1993 and don't remember much, but nature and also the historic old town have probably not changed much. They never do. Thanks for sharing your memories
Very informative video! I’ll be there second week of August to attend three performances. I’m thinking of joining your tour!
Thank you so much for the comment and sorry for the late reply. It's great to know that you found the video helpful. I hope you also enjoy the festival performances and hope you had a great time on the tour in case you joined.
In the 1980s, these were the two main traditions of this iconic, very big music fest which turns out to be factoids.....
1. They announce the first day of the festival with very loud booming blasts from bottle cannons. The cannons contained a few hundred grams of flash powder (aka salute powder).
2. On the last day of the festival, the guests hold their own candles around an outside Salzburg water fountain, and then, throw all of the candles into the fountain as a group, eventually extinguishing all of the candles. This is a little bit like the "crema" in the Fallas Fireworks Festival in Spain - when something fades away, the festival is over.
Other factoids from the Salzburg Festival in the 1980s.......
1. At one time, Wagner's "Lohengrin" was produced.
2. The ticket prices for the concerts/performances are inflated every Festival year. Each following year they get more costly, and for many Salzburg residents, it was just too pricey to attend. The reason why ticket prices are high - they have a lot of famous performers who demanded such costly prices.
Thank you for sharing these fascinating traditions from the 1980s! The salute powder is indeed used on many occasions in Salzburg, not just during the festival. You can hear the booming blasts from the fortress, the Museum of Modern Art, and Kapuzinerberg Mountain during holidays and other special events. And you're right about the ticket prices-they do get more expensive each year, largely due to the famous performers who participate. Your factoids provide great insight into the history of the Salzburg Festival. Thanks again for your input!
Very interesting! I liked the elevator boy anecdote:-) Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I am very happy you found the video interesting and like my anecdote 🙏😊🤗
wow. Thank you very much for the video, very informative.
I plan to do 2 weeks in Austria, one for the festival and the other in Vienna.
For my week at the Salzburg Festival, what is the best week? At the start of the festival in July or at the end of August?
Thank you 😊
I am glad you found the video informative. Thank you for the comment. That sounds like a great plan.
I would prefer the beginning of the festival, maybe even attend the premieres if you can get tickets. At the beginning, in the middle of July, it still feels very special that the festival is on again. Maybe it's just me because I'm a tour guide and pass by the concert hall every day but after 6 weeks of festival I am almost glad when it's over again 😄 If you can choose, I would choose the second week of the festival because the public opening happens after the first week of concert, so there are things happening not only in the concert hall but all over the city. The most interesting public event is the torch dance "Fackeltanz" at residence square. But the end of the festival is also a good time. I don't think it matters too much and at the end of August Salzburg is already a little less busy again. I hope that helps and hope you have a great trip to Austria. If you have any further questions, please let me know! All the best, Gerhard
@@freewalkingtoursalzburg Oh cool. Thank you so much for the reply 😊
The University Church - this would be "die Universitaetskirche" in German.
That's correct! "Die Universitätskirche" it is but it's also called "Die Kollegienkirche". Appreciate your input!
Interesting video. I’m planning a trip to Austria in July/August, and will be taking your walking tour in Salzburg. Would it be better to plan visiting Salzburg during first 2 weeks of July to avoid music festival crowds, for hotel availability, and streets from being blocked off? Thanks in advance!
Hey, thank you! I look forward to guiding you in July. As for hotel availability and crowds, it would be better. The first two weeks of July won't be as crowded as the second half of the month, but it seems that tourism is picking up, so it could be very crowded and booked out already during the first two weeks of July. As for road closures, you don't have to worry. The festival takes place almost only inside the concert hall. It is not what you would imagine a festival to be like. If you don't attend any of the concerts, you won't notice too much of it.
@@freewalkingtoursalzburg Thank you so much for the quick reply. Really useful know those details. Looking forward to visiting Austria in couple of months.
Will you take a tour of universities in Salzburg?
Hi Michael, thank you for your comment and interest in my tours. On the tour we do pass by the university and address the topic, but we do not have a special university tour. That would be a great idea though. The Salzburg university is spread all over the old town and there is a lot to discover.
you look like Jorge Masvidal
Haha, I know Jorge Masvidal but I’ve never heard that comparison before! I can see what you mean though. Thanks for the comment!
@@freewalkingtoursalzburg in Salzburg right now, your advice has been very useful, great video
Thank you so much. It's great to hear that you found my advice useful. Especially the topic of the festival is very relevant at the moment. It's peak festival season. Enjoy your time in Salzburg!