Sachertorte, Schloss Mirabell and St. Nicholas Market: Sweet Secrets of Salzburg

Sachertorte has a sweet secret. In 1832, the Austrian State Chancellor challenged his kitchen staff to prepare a “dessert to impress” special guests. With the Head Chef taken to his bed, his 16-year old apprentice, Franz Sacher performed the original culinary magic creating a chocolate cake which soon gained a cult following. From the imperial court to the world stage of desserts. Here’s the original recipe.

Order it in any fine Salzburg restaurant and the burning question is, ”with or without cream?”

There will always be critics, of course, and some found the Original Sacher-Torte rather plain. After all, more lavish creations existed. The simple truth, however, is that simplicity is the heart of greatness in our modern world.

Compared to other cultural classics, it has more of an affinity to Bauhaus than to Baroque.

The Original Sachertorte Website

St. Nicholas Market

With the coming holiday season the Christmas Markets, advent concerts and folk customs will soon be on display in Salzburg.

The origins of the city’s famous Christmas market go all the way back to the late 15th century when the “Tandlmarkt” was held on Cathedral Square offering a selection of holiday treats made for and by friends and neighbors. By the 17th century, it was christened the “Saint Nicholas’ Market”. For two weeks before and two weeks after St. Nicholas’ Day on 6 December, the market showcased local folk customs and traditional decorations for the Christmas tree, gifts for all ages and incense to help conjure up a festive atmosphere in every home, Austrian confections and baked goods, food specialties, mulled wine and hot punch.

This famous Advent market draws countless visitors every Christmas season, and is also very popular with the locals, too. If you plan to visit, early hotel reservations are a must since many of travel tour companies organize large group visits and book room blocks well in advance. I found homes and apartments still available on hometogo.com if you’re interested.

Schloss Mirabell

Schloss Mirabell or Mirabell Palace and Gardens were built in 1606 by then Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved mistress. She was suitably impressed and went on to bear him fifteen or so heirs.

The Marble Hall is often the backdrop for evening chamber concerts to check the Schloss Mirabell Concerts website for scheduled events if you plan to visit. The Palace and Angel Staircase are open daily and the gardens explode year-round with beautifully groomed color. Sound of Music fans ( is anyone NOT?) will recognize the Pegasus statue, the steps and the gnomes of the Dwarf Garden with the von Trapp kinder practiced their Do – Re Mi’s. Perfect for an afternoon stroll and you’re likely to run into wedding photographers and bridal couples creating their portfolios.

The Home of Amadeus

And certainly no visitor to this charming city can miss its fame as the birthplace of the timeless, matchless classical composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.