Salzburg Cathederal and Old Town:…read more I went on a day trip from Vienna to Melk, Hallstatt, and Salzburg. We only had 90 minutes in Salzburg -- not nearly enough time, but more than enough to know we need to go back! This review is for Salzburg Cathedral and the old town in general. I love visiting churches, and this one is truly beautiful. The old town is exceptionally well preserved, and with the castle/fortress perched on the hill above, the views and overall setting are stunning.

Simply Stunning.The body of the church is made of dark grey stone with ornamentation and façade of…read morebright Untersberg marble. The frescos inside are gorgeous. We went in twice, once for a contemplative look/see and secondly for the noon concert. The concert was intense, featured all the organs and two organists. About 300 people so buy ticket early. Saint Vergilius founded the church in 774 on the remnants of a Roman town, and the cathedral was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire.In the seventeenth century, the cathedral was completely rebuilt in the Baroque style under Prince-Bishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to its present appearance. Salzburg Cathedral still contains the baptismal font in which Mozart was baptized

During my year stint living and loving Salzburg, Austria, this was the church I decided to attend…read moreeach Sunday for worship. Fashion and everyday dress in Europe is more formal than in the U.S. and in Salzburg, it's even more so. Being a sporadic church-goer throughout the year, it had to have been the grandeur of this place that motivated me to get up early each Sunday morning, dress my best and catch the StadtBus to church. An itinerary I miss until this day. There has been a church on this site since the 8th century, which was rebuilt in the Romanesque era. A Gothic choir replaced the Romanesque choir in 1408-50; a slender Gothic tower was added in 1468-98. The building served as a parish church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, until 1635. In 1670 the top of the church's tower had to be removed because the archbishop objected to it being higher than that of the cathedral. In 1866 it was restored in a Neo-Gothic style. The church interior received a Baroque makeover in the 18th century. The Franziskanerkirche is an especially fascinating church to visit due to its unique mixture of architectural styles: The Romanesque nave is still visible inside the church, and a 12th-century marble lion from that period is set into the pulpit steps. The tall, well-lit Gothic choir (1408-50) is supported by slender purplish columns, which reach up to an elaborate rib vault. The choir shelters nine chapels, each decorated in an elaborate Baroque style by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the 18th century. The easternmost chapel, behind the high altar, contains a winged marble altar of 1561 from the old cathedral. The high altar, also by Erlach, is an ornate creation of red marble and gold. The Madonna statue in the center predates the rest - it is a Late Gothic sculpture by Michael Pacher of Tyrol. Christmas Eve. It was midnight mass that was the most powerful. The church was pitch black except for the light of thousands of candles lit everywhere throughout; casting shadows that appeared to dance across the ornate and towering ceiling. The combination of the resounding pipe organ and choir was intoxicating, as if my spirit was awoken and rising out of my chest. A profound moment and connection I will never forget. O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Merry Christmas! May the Spirit of the season bring you much love and hope throughout the new year! Peace be yours!

Franziskanerkirche is very ornate church in Salzburg with one of the most visible steeples in the…read moreold town part of the city. Massive columns support a very high arched ceiling. Angelic carvings are everywhere. There are beautiful paintings and masterpiece reliefs too. The sheer scale of European churches is mind boggling. Franziskanerkirche delivers! It's a nice 15-20 minute walk through....

Beautiful cemetery festooned with grass and flowers, where families continue to bury their loved…read moreones and visit with flowers. Loved thinking about how the last scene in The Sound of Music, while filmed on a Hollywood set, was modeled after this cemetery. 5 stars!!!

St. Peter's Abbey has a beautiful cemetery with views of Hohensalzburg in the background. Mozart's…read moresister's and Haydn's brother's graves are here. The church and cemetery are both free to enter.

A short but steep climb up stairs brings you to a Benedictine convent found built over 1300 years…read moreago and made famous as the nunnery in the sound of music. You can visit this beautiful church but the rest of the convent is off-limits. Take $.50 to switch the light on that illuminates illuminates the beautiful Roman ask frescos It's a small church with the tiny but beautiful his stork cemetery. It will only take you 10 minutes to explore and the walk took us about 10 minutes to get up.