St. Rupert's Cathedral

Salzburg Cathedral (St Rupert)

The Salzburg audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before the cathedral of St Rupert, one of the flagship monuments of the city. It is the most important religious building of Salzburg and one of the oldest by its origins.

A history of reconstructions

The first cathedral was raised on this site in 774. The building admired today is, however, not the original one: a victim of lightning in the ninth century, then of a fire in the twelfth, the sanctuary was constantly rebuilt, restored and enlarged over its history. At the end of the sixteenth century, under the impulse of the prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, great works gave the cathedral its baroque face, which durably marked the appearance of the city.

What there is to see

The cathedral impresses with its façade and its majestic dome, which dominate the Residenzplatz and the Domplatz. Inside, in contemplation, the visitor discovers a vast baroque vessel, its cupolas and its organs. Linked to the history of Mozart, who was baptised there, it remains the spiritual heart of Salzburg and a summit of the baroque art of the city.

Practical information

The cathedral of St Rupert stands in the heart of the old town of Salzburg, between the Residenzplatz and the Domplatz. A place of worship in activity, it can generally be visited during the day, with respect for services, the hours possibly varying according to the season. Access is on the level.

When was the first cathedral built?

In 774; the present building results from many reconstructions, including the great baroque works of the end of the sixteenth century.

What is the link between the cathedral and Mozart?

Mozart, born in Salzburg, was baptised there; the cathedral is closely linked to the history of the city and of the composer.