Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square Salzburg is a historic and cultural site in the city of Salzburg, Austria. It is located in front of the Salzburg Cathedral, a baroque masterpiece that was consecrated in 1628. The square also features a statue of the Virgin Mary, built in the 18th century, and serves as a venue for various events, such as the Salzburg Festival and the Christmas Market.

The History of Cathedral Square Salzburg

The history of Cathedral Square Salzburg dates back to the 8th century, when Saint Rupert, the founder of the city and the first bishop of Salzburg, built a church on the site of a former Roman settlement. This church, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, was the first cathedral of Salzburg and the seat of the archbishops. In 774, Saint Virgil, the successor of Rupert, replaced the church with a larger one, dedicated to Saint Rupert and Saint Virgil. This cathedral, which had a Romanesque style, was the second cathedral of Salzburg and witnessed many important events, such as the baptism of Mozart in 1756.

However, the second cathedral of Salzburg was not destined to last. In 1167, it was burned down by the troops of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who besieged the city. It was rebuilt in the same style, but suffered another fire in 1598, which damaged its roof and interior. This fire gave the opportunity to Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the ambitious and visionary archbishop of Salzburg, to demolish the old cathedral and erect a new one in the baroque style, inspired by his travels to Italy. Wolf Dietrich hired the Italian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi to design the new cathedral, but he did not live to see its completion. He was imprisoned by his nephew and successor, Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, who continued the project with a different architect, Santino Solari. The third and current cathedral of Salzburg was consecrated in 1628 by Paris Lodron, another archbishop of Salzburg, who also fortified the city against the Thirty Years’ War.

The third cathedral of Salzburg was the first baroque church in the German-speaking world and a masterpiece of architecture and art. It has a symmetrical facade with two towers and a large dome, which dominates the skyline of the city. The facade is decorated with statues of saints and angels, as well as the coats of arms of the archbishops who built the cathedral. The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with a spacious nave, four chapels, an ornate high altar, and a magnificent organ. The cathedral also houses many artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, and relics, as well as the baptismal font where Mozart was baptized.

The cathedral survived the Napoleonic Wars and the secularization of Salzburg, but it was severely damaged by a bomb during World War II, which destroyed its dome and part of its roof. It was restored and reconsecrated in 1959, and since then it has been a symbol of faith and resilience for the people of Salzburg.

The Statue of the Virgin Mary

In front of the cathedral, in the center of the square, stands a tall column with a statue of the Virgin Mary on top. This statue, known as the Immaculata or the Marian Column, was erected in 1771 by Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach, who commissioned the brothers Wolfgang and Johann Baptist Hagenauer to create it. The statue is made of marble and lead, and depicts Mary as the Queen of Heaven, surrounded by four angels and a cloud of cherubs. The column is also decorated with reliefs of scenes from the life of Mary, such as the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and the Assumption.

The statue of the Virgin Mary was intended to express the devotion of the archbishop and the people of Salzburg to the Mother of God, as well as to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the archdiocese of Salzburg. The statue is also aligned with the central axis of the cathedral, creating a visual harmony between the two monuments. The statue of the Virgin Mary is a popular landmark and a focal point of many festivities and processions in Salzburg.

The Events at Cathedral Square Salzburg

Cathedral Square Salzburg is not only a historical and artistic site, but also a lively and vibrant place, where many events take place throughout the year. One of the most famous and prestigious events is the Salzburg Festival, an annual summer festival of music, opera, and theater, founded in 1920 by the poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal, the composer Richard Strauss, and the director Max Reinhardt. The festival features performances by world-renowned artists and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. One of the highlights of the festival is the play Jedermann, or Everyman, a morality play by Hofmannsthal, based on a medieval drama. The play is performed on a stage set up on Cathedral Square, with the cathedral as a backdrop, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.

Another popular event at Cathedral Square Salzburg is the Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt, a traditional market that dates back to the 15th century. The market offers a variety of goods, such as handicrafts, ornaments, candles, toys, and food, as well as entertainment, such as music, choirs, and nativity scenes. The market is open from late November to December 26, and attracts many locals and tourists who enjoy the festive spirit and the magical setting of the square. The market is also famous for its giant Advent wreath, which surrounds the statue of the Virgin Mary, and its Christmas tree, which is lit up on the first Sunday of Advent.

Other events that take place at Cathedral Square Salzburg include the Rupertikirtag, a folk festival that celebrates the patron saint of Salzburg in September, the Easter Market, a spring market that offers Easter eggs, flowers, and crafts in March or April, and the New Year’s Eve Concert, a musical event that welcomes the new year with classical and popular tunes.

Salzburg, Austria