The van took us to meet the large comfortable motorcoach bus where we were transported back to the spring of 1963, when they filmed SOM in Salzburg. Our tour guide, Christine, was an American, who has lived in Austria for the last 13 years. She was an AWESOME tour guide! Her charisma transformed, what could easily have been, a boring tour into an experience down memory lane.
It was quite the world-wind tour, another reason to call it an "experience." With my remaining memory, I recall what we visited first and last. The order of the remaining sites is a bit unclear.
We have guitars......they have bulls!
First stop, Schlossleopoldskron, (castle leopoldskron). It is privately owned, therefore our view was had to be from afar. It was a beautiful setting.
This was the Von Trapp's back terrace in the movie. As you can see, we weren't able to get very close. It's now being used as private dorm and academy for several differnt college programs. One being UT's Academy on Media and Global Change.
Schlossleopoldskron, is an 18th century Rococo palace built by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg yet owned by the King Ludwig I of Bavaria.
This is the view FROM the back of Scholssleopoldskron.....or, as close as I could get!
This monestary was seen in the movie at various time. It overlooks the city.
The infamous gazebo was moved to Hellbrunn Palace.
While traveling from one site to another, she would test our trivia with various facts.
I know....it's a bad picture....BUT, in the distance, you see the pedestrian bridge used in "Do Ray Mi"
In the distance, in the grove of trees, is the house used as the FRONT of the Von Trapp in the movie. It's now some kind of school....so we could only ZOOM past. In the past, tourists have disrupted learning.....and we don't want that....do we?
This is outside Salzburg, on our way to Mondsee. This beautiful lake was used in the opening scenes of the SOM.
Near here is headquarters of Red Bull energy!
At each stop, Christine would give some tid-bit of behind-the-scene tale.
And this............is Mondsee Cathedral. Mondsee is a town about 25 kilometers east of Salzburg. This was the "wedding church" used for SOM.
The basilica was built in 1487.
Our final stop was Mirabell Gardens. In the heart of the city and at the heart of the movie.
I don't think I need to tell you which part of the movie was largely filmed here.
Can you see Julie Andrews and the children skipping and singing through this vine covered walkway?
