Silent Night: Oberndorf, Arnsdorf and Hallein
In the footsteps of the world's most famous Christmas carol
TopicSalzburgPhoto: Michael Burgholzer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 5.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
The carol Silent Night was first performed on December 24, 1818 in Oberndorf near Salzburg. This private half-day tour visits the places where Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber lived and where the song was born.
In Oberndorf, assistant priest Joseph Mohr and teacher Franz Xaver Gruber sang the carol at Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church. The church was later torn down after floods, and the Silent Night Chapel now stands in its place.
In nearby Arnsdorf, Gruber taught in a schoolhouse considered the oldest school building in Austria still in use, and it was here that he composed the melody. Hallein later became his home; his house is now a museum and his grave lies outside the parish church.
Your guide tells how singing families from the Zillertal carried the song around the world and why it is sung in more than 300 languages today. The tour runs all year and is especially moving in Advent.
Highlights
- Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf
- Arnsdorf schoolhouse where Gruber taught
- Gruber's grave and museum in Hallein
- How the carol went global
- Salzach countryside between the villages
The route
-
1Oberndorf
Silent Night Chapel and museum
-
2Arnsdorf
Gruber as teacher and composer
-
3Hallein
Gruber's house and grave
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4Return
Back to Salzburg
Who this tour is for
Perfect for music lovers, families and Christmas travelers.
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 hear the carol in the Silent Night Chapel?
A well-known memorial service takes place on Christmas Eve; at other times the carol can be heard at events or in the museum. Your guide will advise you.
