The Sound of Music scenes were primarily shot in a historical part of Austria, specifically the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg. The Rococo-style palacr—a.k.a. Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron—is now a tourist attraction for classic fans, who can even enjoy a stay there.
The property was formerly owned by the Salzburg Global Seminar since 1946; however, it was converted to a hotel in 2014, featuring 12 suites and 50 guest rooms in the adjacent Meiehorf administrative building, including 3 “Sound Of Music” rooms.
The history of the ‘Sound of Music’ location
The Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg commissioned Schloss Leopoldskron, Count Leopold Anton Eleutherius von Firmian, in 1736. The 288-year-old picturesque property served as the home of Christopher Plummer’s Captain von Trapp, where he lived with his ten children and eventually Julie Andrew’s character Maria.
Although none of the interior scenes in von Trapp’s home were filmed in the palace, it inspired some parts depicted as the von Trapp house. For example, Schloss Leopoldskron’s Venetian salon decoration was replicated for the ballroom, where the “Lonely Goatherd” marionette performance happened. The terrace and a gate with the pond nearby, featuring two merhorse, were also used for some scenes away from the von Trapp house.
What can fans expect at the ‘Sound Of Music’ house?
The famous scene where Rolfe and Liesl sing “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” features the glass pavilion in which they took shelter to sing as it rained. It is worthy of note that the structure cannot be found at the Schloss Leopoldskron because it was moved to Schloss Hellbrun due to the overwhelming number of tourists flocking to it after Sound Of Music premiered.
The interior scene of the pavilion was filmed on a soundstage, while its exterior was only used for establishing shots. About two decades after playing Maria in the classic, Julie returned to this historical palace to film The Sound of Christmas in 1987.