St. Peter's Abbey & Cemetery
Salzburg
Founded in 696 by Saint Rupert, St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg is one of the oldest monasteries with an uninterrupted history in the German-speaking area. Established on the site of an earlier Late Antique church, it served as a center for Christian missionary work in the Eastern Alps. The present Romanesque abbey church, dedicated in 1147, features a Rococo interior with notable artworks including a high altar by Martin Johann Schmidt. The abbey is renowned for its exceptional medieval school and its historical connection to the Benedictine University of Salzburg. Its library is Austria's oldest, housing around 100,000 volumes including precious medieval manuscripts and early printed works. The abbey also holds significant music archives with compositions by Mozart and Haydn. The cemetery adjacent to the abbey contains the tombs of prominent figures such as Mozart's sister Maria Anna and Johann Michael Haydn. Despite challenges during the Nazi era, the abbey was never dissolved and continues as a vibrant religious and cultural institution.
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Tip: The best time to visit St. Peter's Abbey is during the spring and summer months when the gardens and cemetery are at their most picturesque. Visitors are advised to check opening hours in advance and consider purchasing tickets or guided tours beforehand to avoid queues. Special permission is required to access the Rococo-style medieval library. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Photography is generally allowed but should respect the solemnity of the cemetery and religious services.
Interesting facts
- •St. Peter's Abbey is considered the oldest continuously operating monastery in the German-speaking world, founded in 696.
- •The abbey's library is the oldest in Austria, containing around 100,000 volumes including medieval manuscripts and incunabula.
- •The abbey church features a Rococo interior redesigned between 1760 and 1782 under Abbot Beda Seeauer.
- •Mozart's sister Maria Anna Mozart (Nannerl) and composer Johann Michael Haydn are entombed in the cemetery adjacent to the abbey.
- •The abbey was never dissolved during the Nazi era despite seizure and expulsion of monks.
- •The abbey was the motherhouse for the foundation of Admont Abbey in 1074.
History
St.
Peter's Abbey was founded in 696 by Saint Rupert on the site of an earlier Christian church dating back to Late Antiquity.
Until 987, the abbot also served as the Archbishop of Salzburg.
The abbey gained prominence in the Middle Ages for its school and missionary activities.
The current Romanesque church was built from about 1130 and dedicated in 1147.
In the 15th century, the abbey adopted Melk Reforms, and in the 17th century, it was closely linked to the Benedictine University of Salzburg founded by Archbishop Paris Lodron.
The abbey was elevated to archabbey status in 1927.
During the Nazi period, it was seized but never dissolved, with monks returning after World War II.
Place Guide
Abbey Church1147
The Romanesque abbey church was built from about 1130 and dedicated in 1147. It features a Rococo interior with ceiling frescoes, a high altar by Martin Johann Schmidt, and the St. Mary's Chapel containing the grave of Abbot Johann von Staupitz, Martin Luther's superior.
Abbey Library784 (manuscript deposit), 1768 (Rococo conversion)
Austria's oldest library, housing about 100,000 volumes including the precious Verbrüderungsbuch manuscript deposited in 784. The Rococo-style medieval library was restored in 1999 and is accessible by special permission.
Cemetery and Tombs
The cemetery next to the abbey is one of the oldest in Salzburg and contains graves of notable figures such as Mozart's sister Maria Anna and Johann Michael Haydn. The tomb of St. Vitalis is also located here.
Contact
Phone: 0662 844576
