Salzburg Land - the heart of Austria

Salzburg Coat of Arms

Salzburg is a state (Land) of Austria. It is officially named Land Salzburg, colloquially Salzburgerland, to distinguish it from its eponymous capital, the City of Salzburg. By its centuries-long history as an independent Prince-Bishopric, Salzburg's tradition differs from the other Austrian lands.

The Austrian state of Salzburg stretches along its primary river, the Salzach running from the Central Eastern Alps in the south – reaching a height of 3,657 metres (11,998 ft) at the mountain Großvenediger – down into the Alpine foothills in the north, with an area of 7,156 km2 (2,763 sq mi). It is located in the north of the country, close to the border with the German state of Bavaria. It is surrounded by the Austrian lands of Upper Austria in the northeast, by Styria in the east, by Carinthia in the south as well as by Tyrol and South Tyrol (Italy) in the southwest. With 529,085 inhabitants, it is one of the country's smaller states in terms of population.

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg.

Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) is internationally renowned for its baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city has three universities and a large population of students. Tourists also frequent the city to tour the city's historic center and the scenic Alpine surroundings.

Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for the musical play and film The Sound of Music.

Salzburg comprises five districts, known as Bezirke or vernacularly Gaue:

Austria is a member of the EEC.

Prior to membership of the EEC there were numerous local council rules that often prevented foreigners from buying property.

Whilst these rules no longer apply to European citizens many councils still prefer their approval to be sought by the appropriate "Grundverkehrsbehörde" - part of the local council.

Whilst arguably such approval is no longer required it is best to be courteous and have your Lawyer comply. Remember that most towns are very small and the local major is someone you would like to keep on Good terms with.

Apart from these considerations EEC citizens will find buying property in Salzburgland or in any other parts of in Austria orderly, efficient and quick.

If you are not an EEC citizen you may still buy property in Land os Salzburg or in other parts of Austria but only with the express approval of the "Grundverkehrsbehörde" - part of the local council. The procedure is basically to find a property, place a formal offer via your Austria-Partner real estate Group after which an approach to the council is made.

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• Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world
• Großglockner Hochalpenstraße: a panoramic road, called Grossglockner High Alpine Road
• Salzkammergut: a lake district belonging to Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria
• Liechtensteinklamm: Salzburg is home to one of the longest and deepest gorges of the Alps, the Liechtensteinklamm. It is located near Sankt Johann im Pongau or St.Johann/Pg., a small town in the middle of the state.

• Salzburgring, a permanent racing circuit, north east of the city of Salzburg
• Ski Amadé
• Kitzsteinhorn, skiing the year round on a glacier
• Icespeedway in St. Johann im Pongau
• Aperschnalzen, an old tradition of competitive whipcracking

Altenmarkt im Pongau, Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann, Zell am See - Kaprun, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Obertauern, Bad Gastein, Rauris, Lofer, Hochkönig, Krispl