Brief information:
- What is special about the Kollegienkirche? The church was built in the 17th century in the Baroque style and is considered one of the most important sacred buildings of this era in Salzburg.
- Where is the Kollegienkirche located?? Universitätsplatz 20, 5020 Salzburg
- What is there to see? One of the largest organs in Salzburg, a very beautiful altar
- When is it open? Daily 10:00h - 18:00h
- How much time should I allow? Max. half an hour.
- How much is the entrance fee? Free of charge
History and today
Salzburg, the city of Mozartkugeln, the festival and the cathedral quarter, is also home to two magnificent Baroque churches: the Kollegienkirche and the Universitätskirche. The Collegiate Churchbuilt between 1694 and 1707, is a baroque masterpiece and one of the most famous churches in Salzburg.
The church is a listed building and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Centre of the city of Salzburg. The university's "white church" is Salzburg's Notre Dame.
The collegiate church was built by the Jesuits as part of their university. However, the church was not only a place for religious ceremonies, but also a place of learning. Books and manuscripts were collected and studied in the Jesuit library, which was located directly above the church. Today, the library houses the most valuable and oldest books in the city and is open to the public.
The building
The façade of the Kollegienkirche is an impressive example of Baroque architecture. The façade is decorated with columns, pilasters and statues and depicts scenes from the life of Jesus. The 29 metre high interior of the church is just as magnificently designed as the façade. The ceilings are frescoed and the altarpiece is a work of art by the painter Johann Michael Rottmayr.
The church interior
Father Bernard Stuart designed today's High altarwhich was realised by Josef Anton Pfaffinger. The programme of the altar is based on a saying from the Old Testament by Solomon: "Wisdom has built her house, hewn her seven pillars." In front of the pillars are allegorical figures representing music, poetry, painting and architecture as well as the four faculties. Love and hope hover above them, fuelled by faith. Seven archangels are depicted at the height of the cornice.
The altar merges with the stucco figures designed by Fischer von Erlach and repeats the main motifs of the church, which it continues. On the top level of the choir, in front of a bright window in the apse, is Mary Immaculate, surrounded by sculpturally modelled clouds, numerous angels and an aureole - an almost unearthly apparition on a crescent moon.
Particularly noteworthy is the baroque organ in the Kollegienkirche. The organ, built between 1866 and 1868, has been restored and extended several times over the years. Today it has 34 stops, making it one of the largest organs in Salzburg.