Salzburg cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral dominates the historical centre of the city with its prominent, two-towered facade and mighty structure. The baroque sites that surround it form a unique stage used for festivals and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Today’s cathedral had two medieval predecessors, the remains of which can be viewed in the crypt. The first cathedral was consecrated by St Vergilius in 774. The building was expanded under Archbishop Hartwik (991-1023). Archbishop Konrad I (1106-1147) added two west towers.

Best hotels in Salzburg near the cathedral 

In 1167, the cathedral, which was still primarily Carolingian, burned down. Archbishop Konrad III (1177-1183) then had a vast Romanesque basilica with five towers built that was 110m long and which was similar in appearance to the cathedrals in Mainz and Worms. After a fire, it too was demolished in 1598.
The cornerstone of the existing baroque cathedral was laid in 1614. In 1628, the cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop Paris Lodron. About forty years later, the towers and surrounding squares were completed.

The baroque building has impressive clear-cut forms, unique decor and a bright facade made of local marble. The architect, Santino Solari, came from Italy. He created the most important church edifice of his time north of the Alps and influenced the architecture throughout Austria and southern Germany.

Salzburg cathedral destroyed in 1944

2009 was “50 Years Re-Opening of the Salzburg Cathedral” after the bomb attack in the second world war. A reason for joy, being grateful and celebrating.

October 16th 1944 the first bombs attacked Salzburg right into the center, many persons were killed and the dome of the Salzburg Cathedral was ruined. Archbishop Dr. Andreas Rohracher stood up immediately for the reconstruction.

 

But it was a long and hard way to go. In May 1959 the Salzburg Cathedral was reopened in its full height and beauty. The entire Diocese, Land Salzburg, the Republic as well as the general public of Salzburg were involved in the quick reconstruction of the dome of Salzburg Cathedral.

In 200, the anniversary year, new clear-up-operations were finished and the so called “Konrad Crypt” developed and be opened.

The Cathedral Crypt

The crypt has existed in its current form since the cathedral was reopened in 1959. Before that, there were vaults in today’s lower church which could only be accessed through the floor of the cathedral (like in the side chapels). The vaults served as burial grounds for Salzburg archbishops. A bomb during the Second World War, which caused the dome to collapse, destroyed these vaults and the entire floor under the dome. During clean-up efforts, numerous foundations and wall fragments of buildings that existed prior to the current baroque cathedral were found. It was decided to install a cement ceiling and thus create an accessible crypt.

Best hotels in Salzburg near the cathedral 

The crypt’s central purpose was to be a place of burial for deceased Salzburg archbishops. Since 1619 – the year Prince Bishop Markus Sittikus of Hohenems, who had the cathedral built, died – virtually all deceased Salzburg (prince) archbishops have been buried in the crypt or in the previous vaults.
The crypt is divided into several rooms. One was made into a chapel in which church services can take place. In the 1990s, the steps to the lower church were moved to their current location. This made it possible to create an adoration chapel in which worshipers can perform Eucharist adoration.

Relics in the Salzburg cathedral

• CHAPEL OF THE CROSS ST CHUNIALD and ST GISLAR Companions of St Rupert, well-attested, authentic; only relics of St Gislar were found during a reburial in 1315. At the current location since 1914.
• CHAPEL OF TRANSFIGURATION ST VINCENT Deacon and martyr Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of Portugal, came to Salzburg around 900 under Archbishop Dietmar of Salzburg, verified. Feast: 22/1
• ST ANNE’S CHAPEL ST CHRYSANTHUS and ST DARIA Martyr couple, 4th century, Archbishop Adalwin of Salzburg received these relics from Pope Nicholas I in honour of the bestowment of the pallium in Rome 860, authentic. Feast: 25/10echt. Fest: 25.10.
• BAPTISTERY ST GEREON and ST URSULA-COMPANION St Gereon: massacred with his soldiers in Cologne in 304 as commander of a cohort. In 1226, Archbishop Heinrich of Cologne gave Archbishop Eberhard II of Salzburg the head of the saint. St Ursula – Companion: Martyr virgin from the host of companions of St Ursula. Well documented. Feast: 11/10
• ST SEBASTIAN’S CHAPEL ST BASIL THE GREAT and ST DEMETRIUS THE MARTYR First mentioned during an appraisal in 1828, authenticity unverified. Feast: 2/1
• CHAPEL OF ST CHARLES BORROMEO ST HERMES 2nd century martyr, Archbishop Liupram, brought the relic from the Hermes catacomb in Rome to Salzburg on 1 July 851. Well-attested. Feast: 28/8
• ST MARTIN’S CHAPEL ST MARTIN OF TOURS Shrine from 1675; the relics were attested as early as 1020; possibly brought here under Archbishop Arno around 800 through the intervention of his friend Alkuin from Franconia. Authenticity is well-attested. Feast: 11/11
• CHAPEL OF THE HOLY GHOST ST MATTHEW THE APOSTLE and ST BARNABAS THE APOSTLE At this location since 1914, authenticity not proven. Feast: St Matthew 24/2, St Barnabas 11/6
• High altar St Rupert and St Vergilius Diocese patron saints of Salzburg. Abbot Bishop Vergilius lays Rupert’s relics to rest in the first cathedral in 774. Authenticity is verified. Feast: 24/9

Concerts in the Salzburg Cathedral 2017

Admission for cathedral concerts

Category A (dome) € 25,00
Category B (nave) € 20,00
Category C € 10,00
Discounts* (Nave) € 10,00

*Discounted tickets for pupils, apprentices, alternative civil service and students
(up to 27 years of age with identification) valid for category B, nave.
Children under 15 accompanied by their parents are free of charge in category B.

Admission for organ concerts

Improvised concerts € 20,00
Midday organ music € 5,00

Samstag, 20. Mai 2017, 6:30pm
Mass of the Children
Salzburger Domkapellknaben und –Mädchen
Jugendkantorei am Dom, Jugendchor und Stiftschor Michaelbeuern

Dienstag, 25. Juli 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. MOZART:
KRÖNUNGSMESSE KV 317

Donnerstag, 27. Juli 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. MOZART:
REQUIEM KV 626

Dienstag, 01. August 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. MOZART:
KRÖNUNGSMESSE KV 317

Freitag, 04. August 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. MOZART:
REQUIEM KV 626

Mittwoch, 09. August 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. Mozart:
KRÖNUNGSMESSE KV 317

Freitag, 11. August 2017, 6:30pm
W. A. MOZART:
REQUIEM KV 626

Sonntag, 22. Oktober 2017, 6.30pm
F. Schubert:
Messe in As-Dur

Improvised organ concerts
Tickets in category B (€ 20)

Sonntag, 13. August 2017, 6.30pm 

IMPROVISATIONSKONZERT
Five organists Play on five organs
Tickets at the evening bank

Samstag, 30. September 2017, 6.30pm 

IMPROVISATIONSKONZERT
Five organists Play on five organs
Tickets at the evening bank

Photo credits:

• Bede735c – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24557285
• Mattana – Own work, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20394991
• Bede735 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39077060
• Aconcagua – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1253428