Open Access

Robert Hoffmann

• In dem folgende Beitrag hat Robert Hoffmann in anregender und aufschlußreicher Weise dargetan, wie der berühmte, Humboldt zugeschriebene Satz „Die Gegenden von Salzburg, Neapel und Constantinopel halte ich für die schönsten der Erde“ seinen Weg in die Literatur gefunden hat.
• This paper sheds light on the history of the quotation „I regard the environs of Salzburg, Naples, and Constantinople as the most beautiful on earth“, which is usually attributed to Alexander von Humboldt. The author shows that Humboldt’s alleged praise of Salzburg first appeared around 1870, and thus the quotation cannot be regarded as authentic. As a local legend it was meant to connect permanently the famous name of Humboldt with that of the growing centre of tourism. The circumstances under which the quotation found its way into the literature remain to be investigated; however, it seems clear that this can be seen as a typical example of what Eric Hobsbawm has called „invention of tradition“. Invented traditions - this might comfort the tourist industry of Salzburg - have particularly long lives.