Salzburg, Day three after the tour

After returning to Salzburg, we decided to take the bus back out to Hellbrun Palace to see the "trick fountains".

The ‘Lustschloss’ was a pleasure palace built for staging festivities, for enjoyment and relaxation. Originally this was a privilege reserved for the archbishops, although today it’s open to anyone who wishes to stroll around the park, enjoy the fountains and hidden water jets, or celebrate in the magnificent halls of the palace.  Hellbrunn was only meant for use as a day residence in summer, as the Archbishop usually returned to Salzburg in the evening, therefore, there is no bedroom in Hellbrunn.

The Salzburg Prince-Bishop Markus Sittikus ordered the building of a summer residence at the foot of the naturally irrigated hill in Hellbrunn between 1612 and 1615. During this relatively short period an architectural jewel was erected in the popular Italian style of the age. It is still considered one of the most splendid renaissance buildings on the northern side of the Alps. Its purpose was to foster the enjoyment of life, to provide pleasurable distractions and entertainment.

If you were archbishop of Salzburg in the early 17th century and had too much spare time on your hands, what would you do with it? Build the mother of all water fun-parks, of course.

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. 

Miss Terry volunteered with this little Austrian girl.  They sat in the bishop's seat so did not get wet

All of the fountains had hidden tricks and we all got a little wet  

good thing it was a warm day

water flowing between two turtles mounths

the water trick here was on the steps where people stood to watch the firgures dancing and going about the business of the day.  All the movement is also powered by water.  As you stand watching the figures, water sprays up out of the sidewalk and gets you.

In a grotto , a crown being pushed up and down by a jet of water, symbolising the rise and fall of power.

Miss Terry finally gets to be Princess and wear the crown

the water trick

leaving the grotto, another trick.  Water squirts up from the bridge

While I was going through the arch and not getting too wet, a small boy running back and forth tripped me and down I went.  I got really wet on this one.  He apologized after, but alas, I was still wet. HA.

After the water tour, we went inside to see a couple of rooms

I like the music room with this standing sculpture of a musical score

Returning to town, we went back to our hotel to pack up and then had pizza at a restaurant next to the hotel.  Then we strolled down to the river and went up to the 7th floor of a small hotel where there was a great view looking across the river to the old town.

and yes we did sit down and have a glass of our favoite GV

A nice way to end the evening and our visit to Salzburg.  Tomorrow its back to Vienna and then home.

Friday

We had great weather for both cities.  When we arrived back in Vienna it was raining and it rained on and off through most of the day.  We went out for a late lunch and then back to the hotel.  We had to be up at 5:45 AM as we had an early flight.  

Saturday

Arrived back in Bologna about 9:30 AM to clouds and later rain.  We were tired so we just blogged most of the day to catch up.  

And now it is Sunday and I am done.  Yeah!!!