Have you been lucky enough to visit any of the film locations for the classic film, The Sound of Music? We’re going to take a look at the top ten The Sound of Music filming locations in Salzburg.
Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and the von Trapp family graced our screens in The Sound of Music back in 1965. By 1966, the movie had become the highest-grossing film of all time.
The Sound of Music was a film many of us watched growing up. We admired the story of the aspiring nun trying her best to look after seven motherless children who eventually fall in love with her and vice versa.
All the while, undertones of the Second World War didn’t go unnoticed, with a majestic backdrop in nearly every scene. So, we’re going to take a look at the top ten The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg, many of which you can actually visit.
Some interesting facts about The Sound of Music filming locations in Salzburg
- The Sound of Music was based on the real-life story of the von Trapp family. However, some aspects of the story were fictionalised for the purposes of the movie.
- The exterior shots of the von Trapp family home were taken at the Schloss Leopoldskron mansion.
- The wedding scene of Maria and Captain von Trapp was filmed at Cathedral of Mondsee. This is about 30 miles outside of Salzburg.
- A real convent in Salzburg, the Nonnberg Abbey, featured at the beginning of the movie.
- The Sound of Music borrowed its title from the Broadway version of the show, which was adapted from Love Song, Maria von Trapp’s memoir.
10. Stift Nonnberg (Nonnberg Abbey) – the nunnery
Founded in 714 A.D., Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and the oldest continuously existing female nunnery north of the Alps in the German-speaking world.
It is where the real-life Maria became a novice nun and was married to Georg von Trapp.
Nonnberg is where four scenes from the movie were filmed: the famous ‘Maria’ song scene in the courtyard, Maria leaving the abbey, the von Trapp kids visiting Maria at the abbey, and the Nazis hunting the von Trapps.
Address: Nonnberggasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
9. Mirabell Palace and Gardens – where they sing the famous song ‘Do-Re-Mi’
Mirabell Palace is one place you have to visit on the Sound of Music tours. You will recognise these scenic gardens from the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ scene.
At Mirabell Gardens, Maria and the kids danced around the Pegasus fountain and ran through the hedge maze and tunnel, all while admiring the beautiful view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Address: Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
8. Residenz Square (Residence Square) – I Have Confidence in Me
Residence Square is situated in the centre of Salzburg’s old town. It is home to the largest baroque fountain outside of Italy.
It was in this fountain that Maria splashed around while singing ‘I Have Confidence in Me’.
Address: Residenzpl. 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
7. Felsenreitschule (Rock Riding School) – Edelweiss, Edelweiss
This is one of the really special The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg. Carved into the Mönchsberg, the Rock Riding School was initially supposed to be a cathedral but was repurposed to be a riding school.
Today, it is Salzburg’s most popular concert venue. You will recognise it as the beautiful location where the Captain sings ‘Edelweiss’ and his family joins him on stage to sing ‘So Long, Farewell’.
Address: Felsenreitschule, Hofstallgasse 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
6. Frohnburg Palace (Schloss Frohnburg) – the iconic von Trapp villa
Frohnburg Palace is one of two locations for the von Trapp family home. In the movie, the exterior shots of the front of the house and the iron gate can be seen when Maria first sees the von Trapp residence.
This location is also where the Captain rips the Nazi flag down and where the family silently push the car to evade the Nazis.
Address: Schloss Fronburg, Hellbrunner Allee 53, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
5. Leopoldskron Palace (Schloss Leopoldskron) – one of the best The Sound of Music filming locations in Salzburg
Leopoldskron Palace is the second and most crucial filming location for the von Trapp family home.
This is the location for all the lake terrace scenes of the home, including Maria and the kids falling into the lake and the Captain and uncle Max drinking pink lemonade on the lakeside terrace.
Today, the manor is a boutique hotel, Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron.
Address: Leopoldskron Palace, Leopoldskronstraße 56-58, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Read more: Keeping in theme, check out are article on the best filming locations in London, UK
4. Untersberg Mountain – the hills are alive
Mount Untersberg is one of the most important The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg. We all know the beautiful opening scene of Maria spinning around on the mountain singing the film’s most iconic song, ‘The Sound of Music’.
It is seen again in the outdoor scenes when the family is escaping over the mountain to Switzerland while singing ‘Climb Every Mountain’.
You can get to Untersberg Mountain by bus and then up to the top via cable car. More active fans can make the two-hour hike to the top and take in the breathtaking views along the way.
Address: 83471 Bischofswiesener Forst, Germany
3. St. Gilgen – the iconic movie’s opening shot
St. Gilgen features in the opening scene of the film. We see stunning aerial shots of the village in the state of Salzburg. The village is by a beautiful lake, Wolfgangsee.
Address: St. Gilgen, Salzburg, Austria
2. Picnic Meadow in Werfen – famous picnic scene
The Picnic Meadow in Werfen is the location for one of the most famous scenes in The Sound of Music.
Here, you can retrace the von Trapp’s steps up the Gschwandtanger. If you visit, it’s about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) from Werfen and takes around 30 minutes to complete. It’s worth it for the beautiful surrounding views and the Hohenwerfen Fortress.
Address: Werfen, Austria
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1. Rossfeld Panoramic Road – the happy ending at the Austrian border
Just across the German border, atop the gorgeous Rossfeld Mountain, is the Rossfeld Panoramic Road. This was used in the movie to show the von Trapp family’s safe passage across the previously mentioned Untersberg Mountain.
This is the only entry on our list that is difficult to access without a car. If you can travel there, it’s worth it for the incredible mountainous views.
Address: Roßfeldstraße, 83471 Eck, Germany
Notable mentions
Saint Peter’s Cemetery: The beautiful cemetery inspired the cemetery built on set for the film when the family hides from the Nazis behind tombs.
Villa Trapp: Although not a filming location, the Von Trapp Villa is where the real family lived for 15 years and a must-visit on your The Sound of Music tour.
Collegiate Church in Mondsee: Under an hour outside of Salzburg, this beautiful church is the location of Maria and Georg von Trapp’s wedding in the film.
Hellbrunn Palace: Hellbrunn Palace is the location of the iconic gazebo, where Liesl sings the famous song, ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’.
Your questions answered about The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg
You may have some questions left over about The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg, but we have you covered! In this section, we have put together some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic to us and from online.
What is The Sound of Music?
The Sound of Music is a 1965 musical drama film filmed in Salzburg, Austria.
Is The Sound of Music a true story?
The Sound of Music is not only based on a true story but a beautiful and harrowing one. The movie came out after the real Maria von Trapp wrote a book about her family.
The harrowing tale follows the story of Maria von Trapp, her hopes of becoming a nun and how those were dashed when she became a governess for the von Trapp family.
Where is the wedding church from The Sound of Music?
The Collegiate Church in Mondsee is the church from the wedding scenes in The Sound of Music.
