Salzburg’s Smallest Surprise: The Dwarf Garden at Mirabell

What an adorable surprise! As I was strolling through Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, tucked to one side is one of its quirkiest treasures the Zwergerlgarten, or Dwarf Garden.  Created in about 1695, it is considered the oldest dwarf garden of its kind in Europe. The statues are full of exaggerated expressions and playful poses and although I’m not sure why they were originally  designed but I could imagine perhaps to bring humor and earthiness into an otherwise very formal baroque space!

To some of you, you know that these have that magical Sound of Music connection, while most people only remember the Pegasus Fountain and the vine tunnel from the Do-Re-Mi scene, the dwarf garden sits quietly nearby, almost like a secret waiting to be noticed, visiting it adds a layer of history and whimsy to the cinematic nostalgia and a sure reminder that Salzburg’s gardens hold stories far beyond the movie frame.