The Mirabell Palace and Gardens complex (Schloss Mirabell und Mirabellgarten) is one of Salzburg’s most famous Baroque monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The palace was built in 1606 by order of the then Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. After the archbishop’s deposition, the palace took on its current name and was renovated in the Baroque style during the 18th century.
Today, the palace houses the offices of the Salzburg city council and mayor, but its most famous historic areas, such as the Marble Hall, are open to the public.
The Marble Hall is the former ballroom where Leopold Mozart and his children Wolfgang Amadeus and Nannerl once performed. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful wedding halls in the world.
The geometric Mirabell Gardens offer one of the most spectacular views of Salzburg, with Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background.
The Dwarf Garden (Zwergelgarten) is one of the most photographed areas of the gardens. It is the oldest dwarf garden in Europe, created in 1715 at the behest of Prince Archbishop Franz Anton von Harrach.
It originally housed 28 grotesque statues carved from white marble. The figures did not represent fairy-tale dwarves, but caricatures of citizens and professions such as gardeners, soldiers, and farmers.
Mirabell Gardens’ Greenhouse (commonly called the Orangery or Palm House) is the green oasis located in the southern wing of the park.
The greenhouse houses a collection of tropical plants, palms, succulents, and a wide variety of citrus trees (oranges and lemons), which historically were protected here during the Austrian winter.
Inside, there is a large aviary with small colorful birds and a turtle pond.
