Salzburg Cathedral

Of its numerous churches, the cathedral is Salzburg's most important sacred building. With its mighty dome and two towers, it leaves its own distinctive, and absolutely impressive stamp on the city skyline. A closer look at the cathedral reveals many surprising and exciting details.

Experience the Cathedral

The cathedral is the heart of Salzburg. There is much to discover here: the baptismal font, the crypt, the art installation "Vanitas", or the reliquary shrine with the remains of Saints Rupert and Virgil. Moreover, many stories are hidden behind the seven bells and the three entrance doors. And those who look closely will see scribbles in the marble at the entrance that are 370 years old.

Experience and Preserve the Cathedral.

An admission fee is charged for visiting the Salzburg Cathedral. This contribution ensures the preservation and maintenance of the magnificent building, which can be experienced in many diverse ways: audio guides and cathedral tours open up new perspectives, and during "Music at Noon", the world-famous organs, which Mozart also played on, can be heard.

The Splendid Cathedral Architecture

The Salzburg Cathedral is an impressive monumental structure of early Baroque style. Visitors are welcomed by the magnificent main facade made of Untersberger marble. Four monumental statues gaze down from it: Apostles Peter and Paul with keys and sword, as well as the two patron saints Rupert and Virgil with a salt barrel and a model of the church. The two coat of arms on the gable reference the two builders of the cathedral, Markus Sittikus and Paris Lodron. The cathedral square with the Marian column forms the atrium – and is the backdrop every year for “Jedermann” at the Salzburg Festival and the popular Christmas market.

The Treasures of the Salzburg Cathedral

Among the cathedral's treasures is the bronze baptismal font (1311) with the lions (1200), in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Mohr, the lyricist of the song “Silent Night, Holy Night”, were baptized. The magnificent main organ, the cathedral doors by Schneider-Manzell, Mataré, and Manzú, as well as seven bells are also part of the furnishings. The three doors represent faith, love, and hope, with the middle door of love being slightly larger. The seven bells also have names, from Salvator, the largest, to Barbara, the smallest. In the cathedral museum, you can view more art treasures from 1300 years of church history.

The Salzburg Cathedral and its Rulers

The history of the Salzburg Cathedral is closely linked to that of the Salzburg rulers and the ecclesiastical principality. The cathedral was destroyed by several fires and rebuilt and expanded. The three consecrations – 774, 1628, and 1959 – are commemorated by the years on the gate grilles.

The Medieval Predecessors

The first cathedral building was constructed in 767 under Bishop Virgil and was consecrated in 774 to Saints Peter and Rupert. After a fire in 1167, Archbishop Conrad III rebuilt the cathedral even more splendidly ten years later: as the mightiest Romanesque church north of the Alps. Remnants of these two predecessors can still be viewed today in the crypt.

The Early Baroque New Building

A further fire destroyed large parts of the cathedral in 1598. Archbishop Wolf Dietrich proceeded quite recklessly during the reconstruction. Only after his capture and death could his successor Markus Sittikus complete the project. He commissioned the architect Santino Solari to build the first early Baroque church north of the Alps. The new cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop Paris Lodron in 1628. In 1944, an aerial bomb damaged the dome and parts of the altar area. In 1959, the Salzburg Cathedral was finally consecrated in its former glory and now offers space for about 900 people.

Opening times

Cathedral:
January, February: Monday-Saturday 8-5 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-5 p.m.
March-July: Monday-Saturday 8-6 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-6 p.m.
August: Monday-Saturday 8-7 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-7 p.m.
Festival season: changed opening hours on days of the "Jedermann" rehearsal/performance in dry weather!
September-October: Monday-Saturday 8-6 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-6 p.m.
November: Monday-Saturday 8-5 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-5 p.m.
December: Monday-Saturday 8-6 p.m., Sundays and holidays 1-6 p.m.

During services and noon music, there is no possibility of visiting.
Due to the rehearsals and performances of the "Jedermann" in the Cathedral Square, there will be changed closing times on certain days in July and August.

Special opening hours

Cathedral Crypt:
Monday-Saturday 10-5 p.m., Sundays and church holidays 1-5 p.m.

(As of 06/2026)

Prices

Preservation fee adults € 5.00
Children and youth up to 18 years free
Audioguide (also for children) € 3.00 (plus preservation fee)
SalzburgCard: reduced preservation fee € 3.50

Cathedral Tours:
Adults € 9.00
Children and youth up to 18 years free

Cathedral tour by individual agreement:
Cost per tour (45 minutes) min. € 100.00 (1-8 participants) or € 12.00 per person (from 9 participants)
by individual agreement at andrea.feuerstein@eds.at

Tickets available at the cash desks in the cathedral forecourt and through the webshop

Music at Noon:
Adults € 9.00
Children and youth up to 18 years free
Tickets available at the cash desks in the cathedral forecourt or through the webshop

(Status: 11/2025)

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Prices from July 1, 2026

Preservation fee:
Adults € 7.00
Children and youth (14-18 years) € 3.50
Children (up to and including 13 years) free
SalzburgCard: reduced preservation fee € 5.50 (adults) / € 2.00 (children 14-18 years)

Audioguide (also for children) € 3.00 (plus preservation fee)

Cathedral tours on weekends and public holidays:
Adults € 12.00
Children and youth (14-18 years) € 6.00
Children (up to and including 13 years) free

Start: 2 p.m.
in German
Meeting point: cathedral forecourt
Duration: approx. 40 minutes
max. 25 persons

Individual cathedral tour for groups (by agreement):

in German: Cost per tour (45 minutes) min. € 130.00 (1-8 participants) or € 15.00 per person (from 9 participants)
in English: Cost per tour (45 minutes) min. € 180.00 (1-8 participants) or € 18.00 per person (from 9 participants)
by individual agreement at andrea.feuerstein@eds.at

Music at Noon: "Extraordinary musical experience on the unique organ landscape of Salzburg Cathedral"
Adults € 12.00
Children and youth (14-18 years) € 6.00
Children (up to and including 13 years) free

daily, except Sundays and public holidays
Duration: approx. 30 minutes (12-12:30 p.m.), entry from 11:40 a.m.

Tickets
Tickets available at the cash desks in the cathedral forecourt or through the webshop

(Status: 06/2026)

Accessibility

Salzburg Cathedral provides barrier-free access, with the exception of the Cathedral Crypt. An induction loop is available for visitors with hearing impairments.