Nonnberg Convent (Stift Nonnberg), Salzburg
Bellfry of Nonnberg Convent with Alpine backdrop. Photo
Ian Lloyd.
View of the large Stift Nonnberg in Salzburg. Photo
Ian Lloyd.
Photo
Ian Lloyd.
Entrance to the convent church. Photo
The Good Reverend.
Sunset at Nonnberg Convent. Photo
Infinite Ache.
Interior of Church of Maria Himmelfahrt. Photo
The Good Reverend.Located just below the south side of the Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg is the Nonnberg Convent (German: Stift Nonnberg), one of the oldest continously-functioning nunneries in the world.
History
Nonnberg was founded in 700 by St. Rupert (Bishop Rupert of Worms), to whom Salzburg Cathedral is dedicated. Rupert's niece St. Erentrudis was the first abbess; a late-Gothic statue of her stands in the archway. The convent adopted the rule of St. Benedict in the 9th century and was reconstructed in the Romanesque style around 1000 AD.
These days, the convent is most famous as "Maria's convent" - both the one in The Sound of Music film and that of the real Maria. She was a novice nun here and returned to marry Captain von Trapp in the Gothic church. However, no filming was done here: Nonnberg was recreated in the film studios of Salzburg-Parsch.
What to See
The large Nonnberg Convent includes the Church of St. Maria Himmelfahrt (Late Gothic, rebuilt 1464-1506), the cloisters, a hall, the nuns' cells, a refectory (dining hall), the old abbey, St. John’s Chapel, and the Pieta chapel. Parts of the private quarters for the nuns, which include some lovely intricate woodcarving, can be seen by prior arrangement.
Much of the convent was rebuilt after a fire in 1423, but remains of the original Romanesque building can be see in the main gate and in the frescoes in the choir, painted in the Byzantine style during the 10th century. Located just below the steeple, these are some of the oldest frescoes in Austria.
Each evening in May at 7:00, the nuns of Nonnberg Convent sing a 15-minute service called Maiandacht in Gregorian chant. Their beautiful voices can also be heard at the 11 PM mass on Christmas Eve.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Nonnberg Convent; Stift Nonnberg; Benediktinenstift Nonnberg; Nonnberg Nunnery; Nonnberg Abbey (but not really accurate) |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic, Benedictine Order |
| Date: | Founded 700 |
| Address: | Nonnberggasse 2, Salzburg, Austria |
| E-mail: | mp.nonnberg@aon.at |
| Phone: | 0662/841607-0 |
| Hours: | Fall-spring: daily 7-5; summer: daily 7-7. |
Travel Resources
- Salzburg Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews and ratings from travelers
- Salzburg Hostels & Guesthouses - budget lodging with no booking fees
- Salzburg Travel Forum - tips, advice, invaluable information
- Car Rentals in Salzburg - good deals on a large fleet from AutoEurope
- Austrian Railpass
- a money-saving option on train travel from RailEurope
Article Sources
- Nonnberg - official website
- Stift Nonnberg - Visit Salzburg
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Nonnberg Convent. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Salzburg Map or Google Earth download.
