Salzburg Dom, Austria

THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT SALZBURG CATHEDRAL

1. Near the entrance is the Romanesque font where Mozart was baptized.
The composer later served as organist here from 1779 to 1781. Some of his compositions, such as the Coronation Mass, were written for the cathedral, and many were performed here for the first time. The font is made of bronze and decorated with reliefs of saints.

2. This site has hosted a Christian church since 774.
The original was replaced with a late-Romanesque structure built in 1181-1200. The present cathedral was commissioned by Archbishop Markus Sittikus Count Hohenems and designed by the Italian architect Santino Solari. It was consecrated in 1628 by Archbishop Paris Count Lodron. The Salzburg Cathedral was damaged during World War II when a single bomb crashed through the central dome over the crossing. Repairs were somewhat slow to take place, but restoration was complete by 1959.

3. Behind the four statues in front of the Cathedral you’ll find the main entrance to the Salzburger Dom. The three gates were made of bronze in 1957 and 1958 and represent the three divine virtues of Faith, Hope & Charity. (“Gottliche Tugenden”). The gate of faith (“Tor des Glaubens”) on the left-hand side was made by Toni Schneider-Manzell, the central gate of love (“Tor der Liebe”) by Giacomo Manzu and the gate of hope (“Tor der Hoffnung”) on the right-hand side was made by Ewald Matare.

Video clips:

• Dom Salzburg, Erzbischof Kothgasser
• Salzburg – Dom
• Capilano University Singers at the Salzburg Cathedral