Salzburg Cathedral (Dom zu Salzburg)
The basics
Whether you’re visiting Salzburg on a guided day trip, as part of a walking tour, or planning an extended stay, the cathedral is a must-visit. The history of Salzburg Cathedral is a history of destruction and restoration. There’s been a sacred building on the site since the 8th century, yet the current building was constructed in the 17th century, damaged in bombing raids in the Second World War and was extensively repaired in the 1950s. Several interesting items in the Cathedral speak to its long history - the bronze baptismal font dates from the 1300s and was used to baptize Mozart himself; the two relics containing the remains of Austrian saints Rupert and Virgil, a holy Irishman and astronomer who came to Austria in the 8th century. Head down to the crypt to see the foundations of earlier versions of the church.
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Things to know before you go
- The cathedral’s seven bells each have names, the biggest is called Salvator; the smallest is Barbara.
- The dates on the cathedral gates(774, 1628, and 1959) denote the three times the cathedral has been rebuilt and reconsecrated.
- The cathedral is free to enter.
- The cathedral is wheelchair-accessible.
- In winter, the city’s main Christmas market is located in Domplatz square.
How to get there
Salzburg Cathedral is located in Domplatz square in the Old Town. It’s easy walking distance from other major sites in the area, such as Mozartplatz and Getreidegasse. Local buses 160 and 170 run from the main train station to the town hall (Rathus) a short walk away. The closest major international airport to Salzburg is Munich, Germany.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The cathedral is open daily, year-round. There’s no admittance during holy mass (unless you plan to attend the service). During the summer Salzburg Festival and at Christmastime, tours of the cathedral are available for a fee.
Experience the Magic of the Salzburg Festival
Held in a festival hall built into the rock and immortalized in The Sound of Music, the Salzburg Festival has been an annual feature of life in the city since 1920. With performances by top classical orchestras, choirs and soloists, if you’re planning to visit between July and August you’re sure to come across the festival in full swing.
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- Cathedral Museum (Dommuseum)
- Residenz Gallery (Residenzgalerie)
- Michael Haydn Museum
- St. Peter's Abbey (Stift Sankt Peter)
- Salzburg Museum
- Mozart Square (Mozartplatz)
- Panorama Museum
- Museum of Modern Art Salzburg Rupertinum (Museum der Moderne Rupertinum)
- Georg Trakl Memorial (Traklhouse)
- Salzburg Old Town (Salzburger Altstadt)
- Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus)
- Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg)
- Salzburg Marionette Theatre (Marionettentheater)
- Large Festival Hall (Grosses Festspielhaus)
- Getreidegasse