Kufstein

Retracing a trip Sieglinde took twenty some years ago, we took a train one afternoon last week from Salzburg west into the Tyrolean Alps to the little town of Kufstein, on the border with Germany. Nice little place, scenic, and surprising little snow for end of December.

Salzburg at -12 C

While there was only a light dusting of snow on the ground, at -12 C during the day, you start focusing on where the next coffee house is as you get lost in the maze of tiny streets and Christmas markets. It did warm up to -2 on the last day, but the crowds only got larger in the lead up to New Years Eve.

Street and church art

One of the great things about Europe is the incredible art you find on the out and inside of churches, and on the corners of buildings. Each has a story to tell, and likely many of those stories are lost.

Salzburg at Christmas

Getting away from Vienna between Christmas and New Year, we took the train to Salzburg for three nights.

At noon one day, we went to mass at Michaelskirche (St. Michael's Church) in the Old Quarter of Salzburg. The church foundation goes back to 813 AD, and is where Mozart used to play the organ while his wife Constanze sang in the choir. It's quite a tiny space, sitting no more than 100, with a great fresco on the ceiling.

The original cathedral cemetery used to be next door, but was moved in 1598. Now it’s part of the square that is given over to an outdoor skating rink in winter. Beyond the skating rink you see another cathedral on the left, and the Fortress Hohensalzburg on the hill above.