St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs, Salzburg
St. Peter's Cemetery, with catacombs in the clifff face behind.
Chapel of the Holy Cross and grave.
Angel and painted wood panels at a grave site.
Catacombs in the cliff face, with small windows.
Steep stairs to the catacombs.
Mural in the catacombs.
Altars in the catacombs.
The Petersfriedhof, or St. Peter's Cemetery, is the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627. It is a worthy attraction in itself, but many visitors come here to see the place where the Von Trapp family hid out in The Sound of Music.
What to See
Sheltered by the Mönchsberg and enclosed by elegant wrought-iron fences, the cemetery consists primarily of Baroque porticoes housing chapels of Salzburg's old wealthy families. Many of the aristocratic families of Salzburg lie buried here, along with many other notable figures.
The graves are lovingly tended by Salzburg families, decorated with candles, fir branches, and flowers. Pansies are the most popular flower, because their name means "thoughts."
In Crypt XXXI is the grave of Santino Solari, architect of the cathedral. Crypt XXXIX contains the tomb of Sigmund Haffner, a patron of Mozart. And Crypt LIV, by the catacombs, contains the remains of Mozart's sister, Nannerl, an exceptionally gifted musician herself. The same crypt has the body of Joseph Haydn's younger brother, Michael (his head is in an urn stored in St. Peter's Church).
The cemetery includes two notable chapels: the Romanesque Chapel of the Holy Cross and the 15th-century St. Margaret's Chapel.
The fascinating Christian catacombs carved in the rockface above the church cemetery are worth a look as well. For a small admission fee, visitors can climb a steep set of stone-carved stairs and view several rooms with altars, faded murals, and inscriptions.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs |
| Location: | Salzburg, Austria |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | St. Peter |
| Categories: | Cemeteries; Catacombs |
| Date: | 1627 |
| Status: | active |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | St. Peter Bezirk, Salzburg, Austria |
| Coordinates: | 47.796617° N, 13.045117° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 0662/844578-0 |
| Public transport: | Bus: 1 |
Travel Resources
- Salzburg Map - our detailed interactive map of Salzburg, plus hand-picked links to more
- Salzburg Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Salzburg Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Salzburg
- Salzburg Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Salzburg
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Salzburg Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visits (September 2004; November 22, 2010).
- St. Peter's Cemetery - Fodor's Vienna to Salzburg
- Petersfriedhof - Frommer's Austria
Last updated on January 24, 2011.
