A new museum dedicated to the 1965 film "The Sound of Music" and the true story of the von Trapp family opened Sunday in Salzburg, Austria. The Sound of Music Salzburg museum is housed in the 17th-century Hellbrunn Palace, a location featured prominently in the beloved film, and offers visitors a comprehensive look at both the Hollywood production and the real family’s history.

Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of Georg and Agathe von Trapp, attended the opening and continues to provide guided tours of key film sites in Salzburg. She expressed pride in the museum’s intimate portrayal of her family’s story as well as the musical’s narrative. Elisabeth also clarified a common misconception: her father Werner von Trapp was depicted in the film under the name Kurt.

The museum contains approximately 450 objects including costumes, props, cinema posters, and recordings from the film. A notable feature is a replica of the gazebo where Liesl von Trapp and Rolf Gruber perform their iconic duet "Sixteen Going on Seventeen." Visitors can explore exhibits that distinguish factual elements of the von Trapp family’s life from those adapted or dramatized for the 1959 Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein and the subsequent film.

The original von Trapp family story is set against the backdrop of Austria’s annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938. Museum curators emphasize that the true Georg von Trapp was a submarine commander in the Austro-Hungarian navy and was a considerate father, contrasting with the stricter paternal figure portrayed by Christopher Plummer in the movie. The real family fled Austria by train to Italy before moving on to London and eventually the United States, after their home was seized by Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS.

Although Julie Andrews, who starred as Maria in the film, was unable to attend the opening, many fans and visitors from around the world gathered in Salzburg for the event. John and Terry Combs, visitors from Ohio, cited the museum’s balance of movie memorabilia and authentic family history as a key attraction.

The exhibition will remain open daily until November 1 before closing briefly and reopening in March. With hundreds of thousands of fans visiting Salzburg annually due to the film’s enduring popularity, the museum adds a new dimension to understanding both the cinematic masterpiece and the real-life inspiration behind it.