Salzburg, the enchanting Austrian city, is synonymous with many things: Mozart, stunning Baroque architecture, and of course, “The Sound of Music.” My first encounter with Salzburg years ago coincided with a bombardment of advertisements for the “Original Sound of Music Tour.” Back then, I hadn’t actually seen the movie, so it didn’t resonate with me. Fast forward fifteen years, and a return trip to Salzburg prompted a necessary movie education. I checked into a hostel famous for nightly screenings of “The Sound of Music,” and finally understood the pervasive cultural phenomenon I had been missing. This immersion led me to experience the famed Sound of Music tour firsthand, and rediscover the magic behind those familiar tunes, especially the heartwarming “So Long, Farewell” song.
Unveiling Familiar Melodies: More Than Just “Do-Re-Mi”
It’s remarkable how deeply ingrained “The Sound of Music” songs are in popular culture. Even without consciously knowing it, many of us recognize tunes like “Do-Re-Mi,” or “Raindrops on roses,” thanks to their widespread presence in various media. For me, the most poignant and memorable of these songs was always “So Long, Farewell.” Its gentle melody and touching lyrics about saying goodbye always resonated, even without the full context of the movie. Finally watching “The Sound of Music,” I understood where these earworms originated and appreciated their significance within the narrative.
From Screen to Salzburg Streets: Embarking on the Sound of Music Tour
Knowing my fondness for musicals (a not-so-secret passion fueled by soundtracks from “Les Miserables” to “Mamma Mia”), it was no surprise I enjoyed “The Sound of Music.” The night before my tour, settling into the Yoho Hostel with the movie playing, felt like perfect preparation. The next morning, excitement buzzed as I joined the Original Sound Of Music Tour, ready to step into the film’s iconic locations. The promise of a sing-along added an extra layer of anticipation, especially to experience songs like “So Long, Farewell” in the very city that inspired them.
Rolling Through Movie History with Ivo and Nicole
The tour bus, a comfortable vehicle provided by Panorama Tours (descendants of the company that transported the film crew in 1964), departed from Mirabell Gardens. Our guide, Nicole, originally from Seattle but now a Salzburg resident, welcomed us with infectious enthusiasm. Ivo, our driver, a veteran of 30 years with the company, assured us we were in capable hands – a playful reassurance punctuated by a practiced “hands-off-the-wheel” greeting. As we set off, Nicole began weaving tales of movie trivia and Salzburg history, setting the stage for our cinematic journey.
Alt text: Nicole, our Sound of Music tour guide, enthusiastically greets tour participants on the bus in Salzburg.
Palaces and Lake Scenes: Unveiling Leopoldskron and Frohnburg
Our first stop was Leopoldskron Palace, the backdrop for many of the movie’s lake scenes. As we drove, the majestic Untersberg mountain loomed in the distance, the very mountain Maria and the Von Trapp children famously escaped over in the film’s finale. Nicole shared fascinating anecdotes, including the detail that Julie Andrews initially hesitated to take on the role of Maria, feeling it too similar to Mary Poppins. Thankfully, she was convinced otherwise, and her portrayal became iconic, forever linking Julie Andrews to “The Sound of Music.” The bus, filled with a diverse group of international visitors, parked near the serene Leopoldskroner Weiher lake, the Palace shimmering across the water.
Alt text: Leopoldskron Palace reflected in the calm Leopoldskroner Weiher lake, a key filming location for the Sound of Music movie.
Here, the cinematic trickery of filmmaking became apparent. The “Von Trapp family house” was actually a composite of three locations. Leopoldskron Palace provided the lakeside terrace, while Schloss Frohnburg served as the front gate exterior. Interior scenes were filmed back in Hollywood studios. We continued to Schloss Frohnburg, passing through the tree-lined Hellbrunner Allee, recognizable as the road Maria takes to the Von Trapp villa. This clever use of locations, piecing together different places to create an idealized image, was a recurring theme throughout the movie. Even Nonnberg Abbey, Maria’s convent, wasn’t filmed overlooking Salzburg as depicted; cinematic editing created that illusion.
Gazebo Dreams and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”
Next, we arrived at Schloss Hellbrunn, home to the whimsical gardens and the famous gazebo where Liesl sings “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” While the gazebo itself isn’t in its original location (moved due to overzealous fans), it remains a pilgrimage site for movie enthusiasts.
Side Note: The catchiness of “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” is undeniable – I found myself humming it for days afterward!
The tour revealed another filmmaking secret: the gazebo interior scenes were filmed on a studio set, a larger, half-built gazebo designed to accommodate cameras and lighting. The magic of movies, indeed!
Alt text: Tourists visit the iconic gazebo at Schloss Hellbrunn, famous for the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene in the Sound of Music.
Mondsee Magic and the Wedding Church
Leaving Salzburg behind, we embarked on a 45-minute bus ride to Mondsee, the location of the breathtaking church where Maria and Captain von Trapp’s wedding scene was filmed. As we drove, Ivo played the movie soundtrack, and Nicole initiated the promised sing-along. To my surprise, almost everyone on the bus knew the lyrics to every song, creating a joyful, communal experience. Even my less-than-perfect attempts to join in were met with smiles and encouragement. I imagined the energy of a fully packed bus of die-hard fans – it must be quite a chorus!
The journey to Mondsee included a scenic stop at St. Gilgen, offering panoramic views of the Wolfgangsee lake, a stunning vista enhanced by the crisp winter air and snow-dusted landscape.
Alt text: The picturesque town of St. Gilgen and Wolfgangsee lake, viewed from a scenic overlook during the Sound of Music tour.
Mondsee itself is charming, and the church is a jewel. Its bright, ornate interior, bathed in daylight, offered a different perspective compared to the more dimly lit wedding scene in the movie. Yet, it was undeniably the same place, imbued with cinematic history.
Alt text: The ornate and brightly lit interior of Mondsee Cathedral, the filming location for the wedding scene in the Sound of Music.
The Sweetness of “So Long, Farewell” and Edelweiss
Exploring Mondsee’s quaint shops, I stumbled upon pressed edelweiss flowers, a local specialty. These resilient blooms, growing high in the Alps, are protected in Austria, making cultivated varieties like these a unique souvenir. As the bus journey back to Salzburg began, the sing-along resumed, culminating in the poignant “So Long, Farewell.” Experiencing this song, knowing the locations, and sharing the moment with fellow fans, created a lasting memory. The tour was a delightful immersion into “The Sound of Music” world, a perfect half-day excursion for any fan wanting to connect with the movie’s magic in Salzburg.
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Updated on May 29, 2024
