Franziskischlössl, Salzburg, Austria

The Franziskischlössl ('Francis′ Castle') is a defence tower that was part of the 17th century city walls of Salzburg. It was built by the cathedral architect, Santino Solari, from 1622-1629. The Franziskischlössl is situated at the most exposed point of Mount Kapuzinerberg, home to an inn and a very popular hiking trip destination.

References:

Visit Salzburg

User Reviews

thvs86 (18 months ago)
Small, beautiful, defensive castle transformed in an inn/restaurant at the end of a spectacular hike/path through the forest. The prices are decent, the desserts are great and you should try some local refreshments. The staff speaks English and is very helpful and amiable. You can also book some rooms for the night and even have your own wedding party in this beautiful place. Be advised that the place gets crowded fast.

Wim Stuer (19 months ago)
Steep climb, but the woman serving the drinks made everything better

Vino Reddy (2 years ago)
Situated on Kapunzinerburg and overlooking Salzburg. Most incredible view of the city. Beautiful tea garden serving light meals. Not open everyday. Best to fone to check if open. I've been there four times but the restaurant was only opened once. The walk up there is so refreshing and energizing.

Triston Evans (2 years ago)
Better view of the city than the fortress in my opinion. The walk is much harder but the reward is amazing. You have to stop at the restaurant in the old Garrison and have a Stiegl and some strudel. I would describe this place and walk as peaceful, quiet and tranquil. Warning the hike up to the top is not for the weak of body or mind. ( Photo taken from sitting position at my table.)

Gilad Livnat (2 years ago)
Great view on the city of Salzburg, the climb can be made with stroller or bikes, there are also stairs and great spots to have a short break on the way to the top. The coffee house on the top is a bit pricey and it doesn't serve much but decorated amazing

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Dan Lundberg

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Hagios Demetrios

The Church of Saint Demetrius, or Hagios Demetrios, is the main sanctuary dedicated to Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki. It is part of the site Palaeochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1988.

The first church on the spot was constructed in the early 4th century AD, replacing a Roman bath. A century later, a prefect named Leontios replaced the small oratory with a larger, three-aisled basilica. Repeatedly gutted by fires, the church eventually was reconstructed as a five-aisled basilica in 629–634. This was the surviving form of the church much as it is today. The most important shrine in the city, it was probably larger than the local cathedral. The historic location of the latter is now unknown.

The church had an unusual shrine called the ciborium, a hexagonal, roofed structure at one side of the nave. It was made of or covered with silver. The structure had doors and inside was a couch or bed. Unusually, it did not hold any physical relics of the saint. The ciborium seems to have been a symbolic tomb. It was rebuilt at least once.

The basilica is famous for six extant mosaic panels, dated to the period between the latest reconstruction and the inauguration of the Byzantine Iconoclasm in 730. These mosaics depict St. Demetrius with officials responsible for the restoration of the church (called the founders, ktetors) and with children. An inscription below one of the images glorifies heaven for saving the people of Thessalonica from a pagan Slavic raid in 615.

Thessaloniki became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1430. About 60 years later, during the reign of Bayezid II, the church was converted into a mosque, known as the Kasımiye Camii after the local Ottoman mayor, Cezeri Kasım Pasha. The symbolic tomb however was kept open for Christian veneration. Other magnificent mosaics, recorded as covering the church interior, were lost either during the four centuries when it functioned as a mosque (1493–1912) or in the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917 that destroyed much of the city. It also destroyed the roof and upper walls of the church. Black-and-white photographs and good watercolour versions give an idea of the early Byzantine craftsmanship lost during the fire.

Following the Great Fire of 1917, it took decades to restore the church. Tombstones from the city"s Jewish cemetery - destroyed by the Greek and Nazi German authorities - were used as building materials in these restoration efforts in the 1940s. Archeological excavations conducted in the 1930s and 1940s revealed interesting artifacts that may be seen in a museum situated inside the church"s crypt. The excavations also uncovered the ruins of a Roman bath, where St. Demetrius was said to have been held prisoner and executed. A Roman well was also discovered. Scholars believe this is where soldiers dropped the body of St. Demetrius after his execution. After restoration, the church was reconsecrated in 1949.

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