Unearthing the Secrets of St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery: A Guide to Exploring Salzburg’s Hidden Gem

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and home to the famous Sound of Music, is a city rich in culture and history. Among its many hidden gems is St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery, a lesser-known but equally awe-inspiring destination. Built in the 7th century, the Abbey is one of the oldest monasteries in Austria, and its Cemetery is a final resting place for many of Salzburg’s notable figures. In this guide, we will delve into the history of St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery, uncovering its secrets and exploring its beautiful architecture and art. Join us as we take a closer look at this hidden gem and discover why it should be on every culture-seeking traveller’s itinerary.

History

In its early days, St. Peter’s was known worldwide for their monk lead writing classes which taught students expectational skills in literature, penmanship and printing. It still houses Austria’s oldest library, which contains manuscripts from as early as 734 AC.

Architecture

This building has a simple Baroque-styled exterior. Light cream-coloured stucco is decorated with banana cream whipped windows and trim. The Abbey’s onion-domed roofs can easily be seen across the Salzburg skyline.

Interior

Inside the church, the Rococo period explosions burst as soon as you walk in the doors. Swirling oceanic shapes curl on the ceiling; golden vines encrust walls. Frescos of various biblical scenes are painted along the nave, making the whole room burst with life and colours.

Inside, Mozart himself premiered his famous orchestra Mass in C Minor along with his wife, who performed the vocals for the performance. No doubt it would have been THE place to be in Salzburg that evening.

St. Peter’s Abbey Church

The organ’s swelling melodies still fill the church as the building is frequently used as a concert hall today. Standing in the middle of the nave, surrounded by all this artistic greatness, you feel a sense of majesty all around. I cannot describe how many little treasures were squeezed into this small space. Everywhere you looked, there seemed to be something new to uncover.

Catacombs

Before heading into the Cemetery, take a few minutes to explore the catacombs. To enter, you must climb up the steep steps carved into the Mönchsberg mountain. The catacombs dated back to 15 A.D. and were built by the early Christians. These mystical caves were also rudimentary shelters for the earliest settlers in Salzburg.

Gertrauden Chapel

Inside the catacombs, you’ll find the small Gertrauden Chapel, which dates back to 1178. Once you reach the top of the steps, you will enter the Maximus Chapel, with a great view of the Cemetery and the city below. These “chapels” are not more than little altars carved into the rocks. Miniature altarpieces sit atop the stone tables, and ancient carvings dot the walls as you walk past.

Cemetery

Next, head back out to visit the Cemetery. The Cemetery is the oldest known Christian Cemetery in Austria and houses some of the wealthiest and most notables family in Salzburg’s history. 

Crypts

There are family crypts along the edges of the Cemetery, each one protected by elegant wrought iron gates. Inside, little touches of baroque architecture decorate the walls and floor of the crypts. This is where the aristocrats of Salzburg are buried. These inspired the cemetery scene in the Sound of Music when Maria and the Von Trapps hide from the Nazis.

These crypts are rented out; the more rent you pay, the more lovely the design of your crypt. Along with your monthly rent comes a florist who will create perfectly manicured flower boxes in front of your loved one’s tombs every month. This means that all the flowers in the Cemetery are cohesive, which gives the whole place a garden-like appearance.

St. Mary’s Chapel

The graves plotted throughout the Cemetery are filled with famous personalities from Salzburg, including artists, scholars and merchants, and Mozart’s dear sister.

While a cemetery tour might seem a bit macabre to some, wandering this darling little corner of Salzburg is as historical as beautiful and worth checking out if you happen to be visiting Salzburg anytime soon.

St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery is a hidden gem that should not be missed on any visit to Salzburg. With its rich history and beautiful architecture, it offers a glimpse into the past and a chance to discover the stories of the notable figures who have called Salzburg home.

Happy Travels, Adventurers