Before we enter, I should let you know that entry to this site is free and you can wander around for as long as you like. You can listen to the audio as you stroll through the gardens and towards the palace. First let me tell you about the palace. Mirabell Palace looks like something from a fairy tale. In fact, it was built as a love nest by Salzburg’s Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress, Salome Alt, and their many children​. Back then it was called Schloss Altenau. Imagine an Archbishop building a lavish palace for his secret family – scandalous! After Wolf Dietrich’s downfall, his successor renamed it Mirabell, meaning “wonderful or beautiful” in Italian​, perhaps to give it a fresh start. It’s not overly ornate outside, but inside it hides one of Europe’s most beautiful wedding halls – the Marble Hall – where people from all over the world get married under crystal chandeliers and a frescoed ceiling. Mozart himself performed in that hall as a young boy for Salzburg’s royalty, and today it hosts regular concerts. Adding to its historical significance, Prince Otto of Bavaria, who would later ascend to the throne as the King of Greece, was born here. Today the palace houses the offices of Salzburg’s mayor. Coming back to the gardens, you’re actually walking in what used to be the palace’s backyard​. Look around – can you spot the famous Pegasus Fountain with a prancing horse statue? If you’re a Sound of Music fan, you might recognize it. This is where Maria and the Von Trapp kids danced around singing “Do-Re-Mi”! Many visitors literally skip through the garden humming the tune. Feel free to do the same. I promise I won’t judge, and if I was with you in person I might have joined in! Interestingly, did you know that most Austrians are not big fans of the “Sound of Music” movie? The five-time Oscar-winning musical film received bad reviews in German-speaking countries, low viewer numbers and was generally considered a failure. Maybe it was too staged for Austrians? Nevertheless, Mirabell Gardens certainly draws a lot of fans of the movie. Now, if you have the time, consider hunting for the Dwarf Garden in one corner of Mirabell grounds. It is a gathering of curious white statues, each one a misshapen dwarf. These quirky figures were carved in the early eighteenth century and once numbered twenty-eight, representing real people of short stature at the archbishop’s court​. Though some were removed over the years as Enlightenment-era folk found them “out of fashion” and auctioned many off​, a dozen or so have returned. Locals have nicknamed some of them – one squat fellow with a cap is often called “Bashful” like the Snow White character. This Zwerglgarten is actually the oldest of its kind in Europe​. It’s a fun little secret in the gardens; kids love it and so do playful adults. Before we leave Mirabell, do take some time to get some photos​. It’s a perfect photo spot – a postcard come to life and is often used for wedding shoots. Once you are done, let’s head back toward the river. Our next step is to cross the Salzach via the footbridge we saw – the Makartsteg. Follow me out of the garden’s south gate and onto the pedestrian bridge lined with countless padlocks left by lovers from around the world.