Historical Timeline





Salzburg at night




The Building of Modern Salzburg

Roman Times

The Roman Settlement ‘Juvavum’ receives its municipal charter from Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD).


Circa 700 AD

'Juvavum' has been long abandoned, and on this site St. Rupert, "the founder of modern Salzburg", orders the building of St. Peter's Church, St. Peter's Monastery, and the Nonnberg Convent.


9th Century

Construction of Hohensalzburg Fortress commences in 1077 followed by the building of St Peter’s Church in 1167.


12th Century

The building of the gothic church St. Blasius commences in 1327.


13th Century

The city walls are built, and the construction of key buildings in the city, including the Franziskener-Church (1408), begins under the ever watchful eyes of the Prince-Archbishops.


16th Century

Paracelsus, the famous alchemist, astrologer and reputed “founder of modern medicine” works in Salzburg.




17th Century

The Archbishops Wolf Dietrich of Raitenau (1587-1612), Markus Sittikus von Hohenems (1612-1619) and Paris von Lodron (1619-1653) continue with the construction of magnificent baroque buildings that still stand in Salzburg today.


1756

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - composer and genius musician - is born at 9, Getreidegasse on January 27th.


1803

The Archbishopric of Salzburg is no longer! Once an 'ecclesiastical state of the Holy Roman Empire', Salzburg is now secularized. It is made an Electorate to the Grand Duke Ferdinand III of Tuscany.


1815

Salzburg is officially annexed to Austria at the Congress of Vienna.


1818

Parts of Salzburg are destroyed by a devastating fire.

On December 25th, the Christmas carol 'Silent Night, Holy Night' is played for the first time in St. Nikolaus' Church, Oberndorf.


1852

Salzburg's oldest café 'Café Tomaselli', on the Alter Markt, opens its doors for the first time. It would go on to become a living institution, host to royalty, famous musicians and actors from around the world.


1920

The first Salzburg Festival is held on August 22nd.'Jedermann' is performed in front of the Salzburg Cathedral.

The now world famous Salzburg Festival continues to take place every year, a highlight in the calenders of those who love both classical and modern performances.


1938

Austria is annexed to Germany during the 'Anschluss' in an attempt to unify both German speaking populations under one nation.


1944/1945

World War II Allied bombing destroys 7,600 houses. Although the town's bridges and cathedral’s dome are destroyed, most of Salzburg's buildings are left standing.


1964

The world famous film "The Sound of Music" is made in Salzburg.


1997

The 'Old City'of Salzburg is placed on UNESCO's list of the world's cultural heritage sites.




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