Three Cities Worth Celebrating
It’s a big year in city anniversaries around the world. Here are three metropolitan milestones worth celebrating.
> 50 Years: Salzburg, Austria
It’s been that long since the von Trapp kids harmonized in The Sound of Music, but visitors can still sing along in the city where the classic movie was made.
See puppets perform the musical at the Salzburg Marionette Theater, and cruise like the choral family on Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour to scenic sites from the film.
> 100 Years: San Diego, California (USA)
With its own built-in noisemaker in the form of the world’s second largest outdoor organ, San Diego’s Balboa Park has been ready for a birthday bash since launching at the 1915 Panama-California expo.
For its centennial, the 1,200-acre park has opened its California Tower—which features 360-degree views of the city—to the public for the first time in 80 years.
> 1,000 Years: Leipzig, Germany
On December 20, Leipzig will have its cake and 1,000 candles, too, when its entire populace (plus guests) shares the massive dessert in the city center to close the yearlong millennium party for its first documented mention.
The trade city that has nurtured musical maestros and renowned painters will honor its heritage during StadtFestTage, or Festival Week, May 31 to June 7.
This piece, written by Hannah Lott-Schwartz, first appeared in the May 2015 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico