Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 1 of 20 — Salzburg. Image © Jorge Franganillo via Wikipedia under CC BY 2.0

Written by Diogo Borges Ferreira
Published on December 13, 2024

Salzburg, Austria, set along the Salzach River, is a city where history and architecture merge seamlessly. Dominated by the imposing M Castle, its historic core reflects a rich Baroque heritage. Landmarks like the Salzburg Cathedral, crafted by Santino Solari, and the elegant Leopoldskron Palace showcase a past marked by grandeur and cultural influence. Visitors can trace centuries of architectural evolution through the city's streets, from medieval strongholds to Baroque splendor, all within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each winter, this setting hosts the Salzburg Christmas Market, recognized as one of the oldest Advent markets in Europe, with roots tracing back to a 15th-century "Tandlmarkt."

Yet, Salzburg is also a city of contrasts. Modern architecture has made its mark, blending harmoniously with its historic backdrop. Modern projects like Stadt Park Lehen and Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus showcase contemporary design, while the Institute of Pharmacy and Gusswerk Extension add a fresh touch to the city's urban fabric. This balance between the old and the new defines Salzburg, where each architectural layer contributes to the city's dynamic, evolving story.

Read on to discover some of Salzburg's architectural attractions, along 19 historical, modern, and contemporary projects.

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Historical Buildings

Leopoldskron Palace

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 15 of 20 — Leopoldskron Palace. Image © barnyz via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Hohensalzburg Castle

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 8 of 20 — HohenSalzburg Castle. Image © Rafa Esteve via Wikipedia under Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Salzburg Cathedral / Santino Solari

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 14 of 20 — Salzburg cathedral / Santino Solari. Image © barnyz via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Modern and Contemporary Projects

Extension of the Building Academy Salzburg / SOMA Lima

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 4 of 20 — Extension of the Building Academy Salzburg / SOMA Lima. Image Courtesy of SOMA Lima

Stadt Park Lehen Residential Building / Martin Oberascher & Partner Architekten ZT GmbH + PLOV ZT GmbH

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 16 of 20 — Stadt Park Lehen Residential Building / Martin Oberascher & Partner Architekten ZT GmbH + PLOV ZT GmbH. Image © Stefan Zauner

Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus Swimming Facilities / Berger+Parkkinen Architekten

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 3 of 20 — Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus Swimming Facilities / Berger+Parkkinen Architekten. Image © Christian Richters

Institute of Pharmacy / Berger+Parkkinen Architekten

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 12 of 20 — Institute of Pharmacy / Berger+Parkkinen Architekten. Image © Hertha Hurnaus

Loft Panzerhalle / smartvoll

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 13 of 20 — Loft Panzerhalle / smartvoll. Image © Tobias Colz

Hangar-7, Aviation Museum / Volkmar Burgstaller

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 18 of 20 — Hangar 7 / Helge Kirchberger . Image © Red Bull, via Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 3.0

Gusswerk Extension / LP architektur

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 5 of 20 — Gusswerk Extension / LP architektur. Image © Wortmeyer photography

Jewels of Salzburg / Hariri & Hariri Architecture

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 11 of 20 — Jewels of Salzburg / Hariri & Hariri Architecture. Image © Eric Laignel

Markthalle Panzerhalle / smartvoll

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 10 of 20 — Markthalle Panzerhalle / smartvoll. Image © Tobias Colz

Museum der Moderne / Friedrich Hoff Zwink

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 6 of 20 — Museum der Moderne / Friedrich Hoff Zwink. Image © Isiwal via Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0

Motorway Maintenance Centre Salzburg / Marte.Marte Architects

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 7 of 20 — Motorway Maintenance Centre Salzburg / Marte.Marte Architects. Image © Marc Lins

Central Station Salzburg / Kadawittfeldarchitektur

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 17 of 20 — Central Station Salzburg / Kadawittfeld Architektur. Image © Taufik Kenan

Heizkraftwerk Mitte / Bétrix & Consolascio

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 19 of 20 — Heizkraftwerk Mitte / Bétrix & Consolascio. Image © Eweht via Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0

HTBLuVA Salzburg / Kleboth Lindinger Dollnig

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 9 of 20 — HTBLuVA Salzburg / Kleboth Lindinger Dollnig. Image © Paul Ott

Pappas Headquarters - Mercedes Salzburg / Kadawittfeldarchitektur

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 2 of 20 — Pappas Headquarters - Mercedes Salzburg / Kadawittfeldarchitektur. Image © Gerhard Hagen

Großes Festspielhaus / Clemens Holzmeister

Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music - Image 20 of 20 — Großes Festspielhaus / Clemens Holzmeister . Image © 1971markus via Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0

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Diogo Borges Ferreira

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Cite: Diogo Borges Ferreira. "Salzburg Architecture City Guide: Explore the Blend of History and Modernity in Austria's City of Music" 13 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024005/salzburg-architecture-city-guide-explore-the-blend-of-history-and-modernity-in-austrias-city-of-music> ISSN 0719-8884