Nonnberg Abbey
Nonnberg Abbey features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Salzburg. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Salzburg Salzburg guide
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About Nonnberg Abbey
A cloistered Benedictine convent below the fortress, said to be the oldest continuously existing in the German-speaking world, where the real Maria von Trapp once trained as a novice.
Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine convent perched on a ledge below Hohensalzburg Fortress, founded by Saint Rupert around 712 with his kinswoman Erentrudis as its first abbess. It is said to be the oldest continuously existing convent in the German-speaking world. After a fire in 1423 the community rebuilt its church in Late Gothic style, with fine net vaulting and an early-sixteenth-century winged high altar; Romanesque wall paintings from about 1150 survive in the nuns' choir. The abbey belongs to the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Salzburg.
The convent is enclosed, so visitors may enter the church but not the cloister. Nonnberg is also bound up with the von Trapp story: Maria Kutschera was a novice here in the 1920s and married Georg von Trapp in the abbey church in 1927. The real gate and courtyard appear in The Sound of Music, though the film's own wedding scene was shot at Mondsee.
Did you know? Founded by Saint Rupert around 712, Nonnberg is said to be the oldest continuously existing convent in the German-speaking world. Its first abbess, Erentrudis, was Rupert's kinswoman, and her relics still lie inside.
How long is a visit to Nonnberg Abbey?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Nonnberg Abbey. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Nonnberg Abbey worth your time?
Nonnberg Abbey is among the 15 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Salzburg, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Salzburg
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Nonnberg Abbey and read more:
Day 2 of the Salzburg in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Nonnberg Abbey
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