Hellbrunn and its hidden corners
A stage in the rock, a small castle up in the forest and a miniature world that moves by water alone. In Hellbrunn, some rather unusual places are close together. For an afternoon, you can join them for a walk and get stuck somewhere along the way.
Hellbrunn Palace was built for Archbishop Markus Sittikus as a pleasure castle. He wanted to receive guests here, entertain and surprise. This joy of trying out can still be discovered in the plant today. Some things stand out immediately, others only when you continue on a path or take a closer look.
From the castle into the green
Your walk starts at Fürstenweg 37, 5020 Salzburg. Behind the castle is an approximately 60-hectare park with ponds, meadows, forest and the Hellbrunner mountain. Between the designed garden areas and the forest paths, the environment changes as you continue.
Take your time here. Look at the figures, the water surfaces and the paths that lead away from the castle. You can take a small round first and extend it later.
Another discovery in the park is the Garden of the Senses. There is, among other things, a Kneipp pool, hand pool and water mist. On a warm day, this is a nice stop to cool down. Entrance to the Schlosspark is free of charge.
Suddenly you stand in front of a theater in the rock
On Hellbrunner Mountain it is Stone Theatres. Even the large entrance in the rock makes you curious. Behind it opens a theater room with a stone stage and several passageways through which performers could perform.
Originally this place was a quarry. Building materials for Hellbrunn Palace were obtained here before Markus Sittikus had it transformed into a stage.
In 1617, the first musical performance took place in the Steintheater. If you stand in front of it today, you can imagine what impression the plant must have made back then. A figure appears from a rock opening, disappears again and appears in another place.
Save yourself that Stone Theatre in Hellbrunner Park as a goal. On site, it is worth looking at the room from different angles. Only at the second glance do some openings and transitions become clear.
A small castle over the park
Your round can be with the Monthly locks connecting. The former Jagdschlösschen was built in 1615. It owes its name to the legend that it was built in just one month.
Above is worth a break for the view over Hellbrunn. From the palace you can see the park, the castle and the Hohensalzburg fortress. The paths on which you were just on the way can be placed into a larger context from here.
In the building since 1924 the Folk History Museum. The collection includes historical masks, costumes and painted furniture. If you want to go inside, check the seasonal opening hours beforehand.
The Monthly Castle on Hellbrunner Mountain This makes it both a destination for the walk and a museum visit.
Small Discoveries in the Water Games
Back at the castle you can Water games visit. Between grottoes, figures and spray fountains, it is particularly worth taking a close look at the Mechanical Theaters. Here, 142 small figures move by hydropower. They show craftsmen and scenes from the life of the 18th century.
Choose a character and watch their movement. Then look up one floor or at the next group. In this small world, so much happens at the same time that it is easy to overlook something.
For castle and water games you need a ticket. The visit to the Folklore Museum is included in the Hellbrunn Ticket. So you can start the day with a free park walk and expand according to your desire and time.
Our tip: First plan the round to the stone theater and monthly castle and then visit the water games. Take shoes with a good profile, because on Hellbrunner mountain forest paths and slopes are part of it. Check the Current opening hoursIf you also want to visit the exhibitions.
