St. Peter's Abbey: Cemetery, Catacombs and Monastic History
The oldest monastery in the German-speaking world
TopicSalzburgPhoto: Isiwal, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg is considered the oldest existing monastery in the German-speaking world. This private tour visits the atmospheric St. Peter's Cemetery, the catacombs carved into the rock and the story of the city's beginnings.
Around 696 Saint Rupert founded a monastery here and laid the foundation for Salzburg. Benedictine monks have lived on this spot without interruption ever since, and the abbey church shows many architectural periods.
St. Peter's Cemetery at the foot of the Mönchsberg is one of the loveliest cemeteries in the world. Mozart's sister Nannerl and the composer Michael Haydn are buried here, and the cemetery scene in The Sound of Music was inspired by this place.
Carved into the cliff are the catacombs with early Christian chapels. Next door is St. Peter's Stiftskeller, first mentioned in 803 and considered one of the oldest restaurants in Europe. Your guide shares the legends.
Highlights
- St. Peter's Cemetery and its arcades
- Catacombs carved into the rock
- Graves of Nannerl Mozart and Michael Haydn
- Abbey church of St. Peter
- Stiftskeller with 1,200 years of history
The route
-
1Abbey courtyard
Founding by Saint Rupert
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2Abbey church
Romanesque and Baroque
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3Cemetery
Arcades and graves
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4Catacombs
Chapels in the rock
Who this tour is for
Ideal for quiet explorers, history fans and anyone curious about Salzburg's origins.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees and tickets for cable cars, trains, boats or tastings are not included and are paid on site. Your guide is happy to tell you in advance what to expect.
Is the price per person or per group?
This is a private tour with a licensed Austrian tour guide. The price is per group, not per person, so it is just you and your own party.
Can we visit the catacombs?
The catacombs are open at certain times and reached by steep steps. Admission is not included.
