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  4. St. Peter's Abbey Church

St. Peter's Abbey Church, Salzburg

Photo © Stefan Eissing. View all images in our St. Peter's Abbey Church Photo Gallery.
Photo © Stefan Eissing.
Photo © Douglas Sprott.
Photo © Stefan Eissing.

The Abbey Church of St. Peter in Salzburg was founded by St. Rupert, who is buried inside. Known for its sumptuous Baroque decoration, it is the church of a Benedictine abbey.

History

St. Rupert originally founded St. Peter's Abbey in 696 AD. The present building was constructed in the Romanesque period, then completely renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Baroque style.

Here Mozart's famed Mass in C Minor premiered in 1783, with his wife, Constanze, singing the lead soprano role. Mozart often directed orchestra and choir here and played its organ. During Salzburg's summer music festival in August, the Mass in C Minor is performed here as part of a church music concert.

What to See

The west portal of the church dates from c. 1240 and features Romanesque vaulted arches.

Romanesque architecture can be seen inside too - in the form of a basilica with three aisles - but it is entirely overwhelmed by the decoration in the sumptuous Late-Baroque style of the 1770s. The side aisles are painted in Rococo style. Behind the Rupert altar is the Felsengrab, where St. Rupert is believed to be buried.

There are several art treasures in the church, including some altar paintings by Kremser Schmidt. The Salzburg Madonna in the left chancel is from the early 15th century. The side chapel by the entrance has an unusual crèche portraying the Flight into Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents.

Next to the church is the abbey's legendary Weinkeller Restaurant. Founded a thousand years ago by the abbey's monks, it serves traditional Austrian food at reasonable prices.


Quick Facts on St. Peter's Abbey Church

Site Information
Names:Peterskirche; St. Peter's Abbey; St. Peter's Abbey, Salzburg
City:Salzburg
Country:Austria
cat:Churches; Monasteries
faith:Christianity; Catholic; Benedictine
style:Baroque; Romanesque
Dates:13th, 17th, 18th C
Status:active
Visitor and Contact Information
Address:St. Peter Bezirk, Salzburg, Austria
Coordinates:47.796912° N, 13.044902° E  (view on Google Maps)
Opening Hours:Daily 9am-noon
Cost:Free
Transport:Bus: 5
Phone:0662/844578-0
Lodging:View hotels near this location
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Map of St. Peter's Abbey Church

Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Peter's Abbey Church. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.

References

  1. Personal visits (September 2004; November 22, 2010).
  2. Stiftskirche St. Peter - Frommers.com
  3. Stift St. Peter (St. Peter's Abbey) – TripAdvisor reviews and articles

More Information

Article Info

Title:St. Peter's Abbey Church, Salzburg
Author:Holly Hayes
Last updated:01/24/2011
Permalink:www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-abbey-church
Link code:<a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-abbey-church">St. Peter's Abbey Church, Salzburg</a>