Salzburg was full of adventures that we least expected!
We started the day at the Hallein Salt Mine, al Salzburg become a powerful trading community and since World War I, it has served as a mining museum, known for its long wooden slides between levels. There are several named tunnels in the mine, including the Obersteinberg, the Untersteinberg, the Jackobberg, the Rupertsberg, the Wolf Deitrich tunnel and the Dr. Nusko tunnels. They descend all of the way to Hallein.
We had the opportunity to go on a 90-minute guided Salzwelten tour which covers 1 kilometer. We had to put on white coveralls to protect our clothes inside the mine. There is a 400 meters (1,300 ft) electric train ride into the mine which leads to two sets of 42 meters (138 ft) wooden slides. We straddled two wooden rails and slid quickly down to the lower level of the mine. There is also a boat trip across an underground lake before exiting the mine.
This was such an unbelievable experience! So much fun, so much adventure!
We then took a trip to the Schloss Hellbrunn Palace which is an early Baroque villa. It was built in 1613–19 by Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, and named for the "clear spring" that supplied it.
The main viewing of this location was its jeux d'eau ("watergames") in the grounds. These games were conceived by Markus Sittikus, a man with a keen sense of humour, as a series of practical jokes to be performed on guests. Notable features include stone seats around a stone dining table through which a water conduit sprays water into the seat of the guests when the mechanism is activated, and hidden fountains that surprise and spray guests while they take part on the tour.
Located on the grounds of the Schloss Hellbrunn Palace is the gazebo where “16 going on 17” was filmed! We stopped for some photos and two of our members put on a performance of the popular Sound of Music song!
I think my favorite were the water games at Schloss Hellbrunn Palace. I felt like a kid again!
We performed at the Pfarrkirche Gnigle Parish Church for their Vester service as well as a full concert performance after. This parish church lies in the heart of Gnigl, Baroque style building, it is also the cemetery for the area.
It was such an honor to perform for the locals in this church and we were welcomed with open arms. We could see our music affecting them, and we all were so blessed to be able to celebrate together! We were connected by the love of music!
This parish used this Vesper service as a benefit for their community. All funds raised through this service and performance went to assist refugees as well as community families to assist in allowing their children to participate in holidays. The parish raised just under $600 from this event! Thank you for letting us be a part of such a special experience!
Finally, we were able to go to Mozart’s birthplace! Mozart and his family lived on the third floor of this building. His home is now used as a museum where they introduce visitors to the early life of the composer, Mozart's childhood violin as well as portraits, documents, and early editions of his music, and the second floor is devoted to Mozart's interest in opera and includes the clavichord on which he composed The Magic Flute. We were unfortunately unable to see his first violin it occasionally is out on concert with distinguished performers!
Before touring this historical building, we stopped to put on an impromptu performance for the tourists roaming the streets in front of Mozart's birthplace!
We then had some free time to explore the area and shops around the area! Many shops were closed as the town was celebrating their Pentecostal Holiday, but many tourist shops and food stands were open! We had torrential rain during our adventures on this day, but we were not going to let it take away our sunshine!
The adventures we had in Salzburg were some of the finest! These are some of the finest of the trip!
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