It goes virtually without saying that salt plays a major role in the history of Salzburg - after all, it's what gives the city and state their names. Because of its vast salt deposits, the state made quite a name for itself and attained great wealth. Salt, often referred to as "White Gold", made so much possible. It financed the construction of numerous buildings, for example. And in this latter regard, the archbishops of Salzburg undoubtedly set the tone.
The Salzburg Cathedral was the first Baroque building in the German-speaking artistic world. Two other important buildings initiated by the Salzburg archbishops were Hohenwerfen Castle and Hohensalzburg Fortress. The first Archbishop of Salzburg was Arno (785-821), in whose honor the world-famous hiking circuit - the Arnoweg - is named.
The predominant stylistic elements of Salzburg architecture have their origins in the Baroque and the Rococo periods.
Salzburg's historic "Old Town" was named by UNESCO as a Treasure of World Cultural Heritage.
