Schloss Hellbrunn on Postcard

"Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains While the 17th-century Italian-style Renaissance palace at Hellbrunn is splendid, and its spacious park is filled with grottoes, sculptures, and fountains, the real draw is the unique Wasserspiele , or "trick fountains," which feature water shooting from various sources. (A highlight is the mechanical theater among the fountains with around 200 water-driven figures.) Commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus in 1613, thepalace and grounds were designed as the ultimate Lustschloß , or "pleasure palace," worthy of entertaining a who's who of nobility—at least those who would tolerate his shenanigans. It still makes a fun getaway on a hot summer day in the Alps. The palace can be visited independently (an audio tour is available), but the trick fountains are fenced off and require a guided tour."

Salzburg and Salzburger Land

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@afar

"Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains While the 17th-century Italian-style Renaissance palace at Hellbrunn is splendid, and its spacious park is filled with grottoes, sculptures, and fountains, the real draw is the unique Wasserspiele , or "trick fountains," which feature water shooting from various sources. (A highlight is the mechanical theater among the fountains with around 200 water-driven figures.) Commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus in 1613, thepalace and grounds were designed as the ultimate Lustschloß , or "pleasure palace," worthy of entertaining a who's who of nobility—at least those who would tolerate his shenanigans. It still makes a fun getaway on a hot summer day in the Alps. The palace can be visited independently (an audio tour is available), but the trick fountains are fenced off and require a guided tour."

The Best Things to Do in Salzburg

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Bahareh Kahaal

Google

Hallbrunn Palace is a hidden gem that beautifully combines history and charm. The stunning architecture, lush gardens, and tranquil atmosphere make it a perfect place to explore and unwind. Every corner of the palace reflects its rich heritage, offering a glimpse into the past. Whether you’re strolling through the grounds or enjoying the serene surroundings.

Witold Drutel

Google

Impressive. The excursion to the fountains lasts about an hour. These fountains take us by surprise, water splashes from places we cannot imagine. The fountains work with the help of wind and water. It was quite fun, on a hot summer day to be splashed with water is a real pleasure.

Balkrishna Shroff

Google

We stopped here during our tour of "Sound of Music". Unfortunately we were given only 20 minutes to see this beautiful spot. Everybody in the group was busy clicking pictures in front of a gazebo where the some scenes of the film were shot. There was no time at all to see the the palace and trick fountains. The garden was quite big and very beautiful. Worth visiting !!

Jess Lee

Google

Awesome tourist spot in Salzburg! Great break from the city life and the scenery outside of Salzburg. This place was beautiful fun and whimsical and I loved how informative and well curated the whole location was. The ponds with the sturgeon and carps was a nice surprise but my favourite was the trick fountain!

Michael Caton

Google

Just the views alone are worth eating lunch here at this hotel. Super pretty location. The hotel staff was very nice and food was good. I highly recommend checking this place out. Even just to sit on the deck to view the Alps while eating here. Highly recommend visiting this place because it's super beautiful, not so busy that you can't avoid crowds and just a really great place to take any level of difficulty for hiking whether you want a long tough one or a short 10 minute one this area has all options.

Serena Marchionni

Google

A place to visit when in Salzburg!!! Cool peculiar castle and gardens with fantastic water tricks and fountains! Children and adults all have a great fun here especially if it's a hot day because you will get wet !!!! 😜 we loved it! There is so much to visit and see that you almost need one day as the gardens and the museums are huuuugeee. At the end of the gardens there is a also a super cool playgrounds for kids of all ages! Top!

Jovica Madzevic

Google

Hellbrunn Palace is definitely a must-see in Salzburg. The fountains are really cool, and the palace itself is beautiful. The gardens are gorgeous, and there's a big forest around it that you can explore. You can even combine a visit to the palace with a trip to the zoo.

Kelly Croft Maser Liddell

Google

Definitely worth a visit! Inside the palace was slightly underwhelming, not as much to see or learn as I had hoped. But the grounds are lovely, even though we visited on a somewhat rainy day. The flower gardens are quite nice, but the highlight was the "trick fountains." The audioguide provides a lot of interesting information about the fountains, which apparently were in vogue during this particular period; many other estates that had trick fountains at one point removed them when they went out of favor. But thankfully, they remain at Schloss Hellbrunn for visitors to enjoy. The funniest thing to us was that they were installed by the Archbishop, who apparently got quite a kick out of getting his guests wet when they came to be entertained for the evening. It's also pretty amazing what they were able to accomplish just using water power, back before the technology was anything like it is today. We enjoyed seeing all the different kinds of fountains and the mechanisms that make them work. It's quite a fun afternoon, although I can imagine it would be much more enjoyable during a warm day than during the winter months. (I'm actually not even sure they continue to show the fountains during the winter.) We rode the bus to and from Salzburg using the Salzburg card, and it was easy.

Bahareh Kahaal

Google

Hallbrunn Palace is a hidden gem that beautifully combines history and charm. The stunning architecture, lush gardens, and tranquil atmosphere make it a perfect place to explore and unwind. Every corner of the palace reflects its rich heritage, offering a glimpse into the past. Whether you’re strolling through the grounds or enjoying the serene surroundings.

Witold Drutel

Google

Impressive. The excursion to the fountains lasts about an hour. These fountains take us by surprise, water splashes from places we cannot imagine. The fountains work with the help of wind and water. It was quite fun, on a hot summer day to be splashed with water is a real pleasure.

Balkrishna Shroff

Google

We stopped here during our tour of "Sound of Music". Unfortunately we were given only 20 minutes to see this beautiful spot. Everybody in the group was busy clicking pictures in front of a gazebo where the some scenes of the film were shot. There was no time at all to see the the palace and trick fountains. The garden was quite big and very beautiful. Worth visiting !!

Jess Lee

Google

Awesome tourist spot in Salzburg! Great break from the city life and the scenery outside of Salzburg. This place was beautiful fun and whimsical and I loved how informative and well curated the whole location was. The ponds with the sturgeon and carps was a nice surprise but my favourite was the trick fountain!

Michael Caton

Google

Just the views alone are worth eating lunch here at this hotel. Super pretty location. The hotel staff was very nice and food was good. I highly recommend checking this place out. Even just to sit on the deck to view the Alps while eating here. Highly recommend visiting this place because it's super beautiful, not so busy that you can't avoid crowds and just a really great place to take any level of difficulty for hiking whether you want a long tough one or a short 10 minute one this area has all options.

Serena Marchionni

Google

A place to visit when in Salzburg!!! Cool peculiar castle and gardens with fantastic water tricks and fountains! Children and adults all have a great fun here especially if it's a hot day because you will get wet !!!! 😜 we loved it! There is so much to visit and see that you almost need one day as the gardens and the museums are huuuugeee. At the end of the gardens there is a also a super cool playgrounds for kids of all ages! Top!

Jovica Madzevic

Google

Hellbrunn Palace is definitely a must-see in Salzburg. The fountains are really cool, and the palace itself is beautiful. The gardens are gorgeous, and there's a big forest around it that you can explore. You can even combine a visit to the palace with a trip to the zoo.

Kelly Croft Maser Liddell

Google

Definitely worth a visit! Inside the palace was slightly underwhelming, not as much to see or learn as I had hoped. But the grounds are lovely, even though we visited on a somewhat rainy day. The flower gardens are quite nice, but the highlight was the "trick fountains." The audioguide provides a lot of interesting information about the fountains, which apparently were in vogue during this particular period; many other estates that had trick fountains at one point removed them when they went out of favor. But thankfully, they remain at Schloss Hellbrunn for visitors to enjoy. The funniest thing to us was that they were installed by the Archbishop, who apparently got quite a kick out of getting his guests wet when they came to be entertained for the evening. It's also pretty amazing what they were able to accomplish just using water power, back before the technology was anything like it is today. We enjoyed seeing all the different kinds of fountains and the mechanisms that make them work. It's quite a fun afternoon, although I can imagine it would be much more enjoyable during a warm day than during the winter months. (I'm actually not even sure they continue to show the fountains during the winter.) We rode the bus to and from Salzburg using the Salzburg card, and it was easy.

Carrie M.

Yelp

Hellbrunn is a beautiful park near Salzburg. I could have spent a whole day here, but I didn't have that luxury. The park is free to enter, but I bought a ticket for the trick fountains. It is an audioguide tour, and it was so entertaining. The fountains spray you with water. The Sound of Music pavilion is here. There is so much green space, a palace, and challenging trails that take you up for an amazing view of the Alps.

Michael B.

Yelp

This is a beautiful compound where you can easily spend a few hours. The interior of the estate is beautiful and informative. You'll tour multiple floors and learn about the Prince Archbishop that created the estate. Outside the gardens are gorgeous. You'll love being exposed to the meadows, flowers, ponds, and even memorabilia from The Sound of Music. Behind the palace are the trick fountains. Those require a timed ticket which is worth your money and time. It's easily the highlight of your visit so book early or spend time exploring the garden until your entry time. The gift shop is pricey but cute. Restrooms are available for free and staff does speak English.

Eric W.

Yelp

This is a must see for Salzburg. It is a little bit far from the city but you can just hop on a bus and get here. The trick fountains were very fun, the museum was nice, basically everything here is nice, especially the folklore museum and the viewpoint near there. Nothing much to say other than go see it yourself. Overall, this place is a must.

Chris C.

Yelp

Hellbrunn is a fun place to visit if you have the time. It's easy to get to by bus (#25 from the train station). The ticket to the garden with the trick fountains is time stamped although once you are inside you can take as much time as you like. The grounds outside the fountains are free and quite pleasant to wander around on as well. The trick fountains are fun although not as surprising as I expected - for one thing there is no danger of your getting soaked unless you purposefully try as they have staff around operating them on and off. The ones coming out of the seats is in a place where you just sit or stand around to watch - no one would be sitting on the fountain stools when they go off. The ticket includes the little Folk Art museum on a steep hill so that's worth a visit for the view if you don't mind the climb.

Kai A.

Yelp

I loved the grounds - we came on a perfect day when it was the small amt of time that it wasn't raining. The guides that they provided gave detailed information on each of the monuments.

Seth N.

Yelp

During a brief moment in which my fiancé and I were separated, an older employee in the trick fountains area first asked her if she was alone, and then got very physically close to her and said something creepy that made her very uncomfortable (this man was old enough to be her grandfather). I walked in the room right at that moment and saw her literally run away from him with a disgusted look on her face. She was so distraught and we were so uncomfortable with this man's presence that we simply left the palace, but not before telling another employee in an attempt to contact a manager, only to find out that this has happened to numerous female employees in the past. I would not recommend coming here, especially if you are a young woman, as they seem to be this creep's target of choice and the management refuses to do anything about his heinous behavior.

Robert F.

Yelp

Reading through prior reviews and recommendations located in the Salzburg City Guide App, we planned to visit Schloss Hellbrunn when they opened..and planned for a 3 1/2 hour visit. The administration moved our water pond tour up a bit so we could get started. The most fascinating aspect of the castle is its water park, the history behind it and how it came to be and how it continues to this day to entertain. The audio guide was quite good, much better than that provided by the Mozart House in Salzburg. We visited the Heimatmuseum..requires a brief walk up the hill (by the Zoo). Enjoyed the items on display there and because it was a walk uphill, there were hardly no visitors. Good Museum. Thereafter we walked and visited the Schloss Main Building and the history behind the castle,..which tied the water park and the creation thereof all together.

Mark G.

Yelp

What a wonderful place to visit. The palace and grounds are beautiful and well maintained. My wife and I spent about 5 hours on our visit and we didn't see everything on the grounds, (we could have, but decided to have a delicious and relaxing lunch at their restaurant). Whatever you do, be sure to take the tour of the trick fountains! It was about $15 Euros and totally worth the time and money. Be warned, Arch Bischop Markus Sittikus who lived here in the 1600's during the summer months was a bit of a joker, and had fun at his guests expense. Even dignitaries weren't safe from his shenanigans. You'll get to experience this for yourself. Visiting the grounds is free, except for a few Euros to park. The self guided tour of the palace/museum was beautiful, informative and surprisingly free as well. The history of the Palace, grounds, and Markus Sittikus are fascinating.

Rhada D.

Yelp

There are 3 parts to Hellbrunn: Trick fountains, Hellbrunn itself, and the park. The trick fountains are fun to look at, but it seems to be more for children. Beware--keep your electronics safe. The tour guides turn on the fountains without warning! Furthermore, the tour groups are far too large to really enjoy this part. You can see most of the fountains from the "free" parts of Hellbrunn as well. Also, if you don't want to get wet, pay attention to the areas where the ground is wet and don't stand there... Hellbrunn palace is quite lackluster inside. Don't expect much. You can go through it in about 10 minutes. There are a few interesting bits (painted ceilings, etc.), but you aren't really missing much if you skip it. The park is what makes the trip to Hellbrunn worthwhile. They are amazing, beautiful, large, etc.

Naomi K.

Yelp

All of the staff members were very friendly and helpful with guiding us to the gazebo. Definitely a must-see for all fans of The Sound of Music.

Paul L.

Yelp

Hellbrunn is definitely worth the visit. The highlight, of course, is the amazing trick fountains and the tour guide takes sadistic pleasure in getting unsuspecting people wet, which is part of the fun. It was very entertaining and it is amazing to see such old fountains so well preserved. While there, make sure to visit the little local cultural museum up the hill. Past that is a little walking trail that runs up to an open scenic outlook which overlooks not only the palace but the entire Salzach valley and Salzburg itself in the distance. It is a great spot to take a panoramic photo.

Jim P.

Yelp

Definitely worth a trip if you have small children. Don't want to give too much away but there will be water involved. We did a bunch of cool stuff with our 7 year old this particular day but this attraction was our favourite

Damon B.

Yelp

Unbelievably spectacular was my first impression of this Schloss, but i must admit I am a big fan of Sclosses in general. My words can not describe everything there is to see here, but i hope my FIVE STAR rating will say enough to encourage you to visit this Schloss if you have the chance. It is well worth the visit. Make sure you include a visit to the Water Trick park, that is also well worth a visit.

Schloss Hellbrunn

Schloss Hellbrunn

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