[null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xKoMbAnIL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xKoMbAnIL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "xKoMbAnIL", "alt_text": "Fodor's Vienna to Salzburg, 3rd ed."}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515dSGVg7SL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515dSGVg7SL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "dSGVg SL", "alt_text": "Insight Smart Guide to Salzburg"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oUoERlePL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oUoERlePL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "oUoERlePL", "alt_text": "Schlepping Through the Alps: My Search for Austria's Jewish Past with Its Last Wandering Shepherd"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518TSJMFSQL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518TSJMFSQL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "TSJMFSQL", "alt_text": "Blue Guide Austria"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ymd3M5jDL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ymd3M5jDL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Ymd M jDL", "alt_text": "Frommer's Austria"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bI%2B8gRUWL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bI%2B8gRUWL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bI B gRUWL", "alt_text": "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Austria"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FmLax6S8L.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FmLax6S8L.jpg", "formatted_filename": "FmLax S L", "alt_text": "Fodor's Austria, 12th Edition"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cHhTS9D7L.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cHhTS9D7L.jpg", "formatted_filename": "cHhTS D L", "alt_text": "Good Night and God Bless: A Guide to Convent & Monastery Accommodation in Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Italy"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zKxUwcsCL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zKxUwcsCL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "zKxUwcsCL", "alt_text": "Rick Steves' Vienna, Salzburg, and Tirol"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/salzburg-st-peters-cemetery-catacombs/salzburg-stiftkirche-st-peter", "unformatted_src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bm3h7MwwL.jpg", "src": "http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bm3h7MwwL.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bm h MwwL", "alt_text": "Lonely Planet Central Europe"}, null]
The Sound of Music<\/em>, but it is also a worthy attraction in itself. In the cliffs above are interesting monastic catacombs."}">


 Fodor's Vienna to Salzburg, 3rd ed. Insight Smart Guide to Salzburg Blue Guide Austria Frommer's Austria DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Austria Fodor's Austria, 12th Edition Rick Steves' Vienna, Salzburg, and Tirol Lonely Planet Central Europe

The Petersfriedhof, or St. Peter's Cemetery, is the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627. It is a worthy attraction in itself, but many visitors come here to see the place where the Von Trapp family hid out in The Sound of Music.


What to See at St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs

Sheltered by the Mönchsberg and enclosed by elegant wrought-iron fences, the cemetery consists primarily of Baroque porticoes housing chapels of Salzburg's old wealthy families. Many of the aristocratic families of Salzburg lie buried here, along with many other notable figures.

The graves are lovingly tended by Salzburg families, decorated with candles, fir branches, and flowers. Pansies are the most popular flower, because their name means "thoughts."

In Crypt XXXI is the grave of Santino Solari, architect of the cathedral. Crypt XXXIX contains the tomb of Sigmund Haffner, a patron of Mozart. And Crypt LIV, by the catacombs, contains the remains of Mozart's sister, Nannerl, an exceptionally gifted musician herself. The same crypt has the body of Joseph Haydn's younger brother, Michael (his head is in an urn stored in St. Peter's Church).

The cemetery includes two notable chapels: the Romanesque Chapel of the Holy Cross and the 15th-century St. Margaret's Chapel.

The fascinating Christian catacombs carved in the rockface above the church cemetery are worth a look as well. For a small admission fee, visitors can climb a steep set of stone-carved stairs and view several rooms with altars, faded murals, and inscriptions.

Quick Facts on St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs



Map of St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs, Salzburg

Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.