15,000 resplendent square metres – 2,000 stunning objects – 1,300 stirring years.
Starting in May 2014, Salzburg officially launches the DomQuartier, a unique highlight in the heart of the city. In a circular walking tour, the former centre of power for the prince-archbishops, the complex of Residence and Cathedral, including the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter, will be accessible again for the first time in 200 years.
Heaven and Earth in One Hand
Until 1803, Salzburg´s history was essentially determined by three factors: territorial independence from surrounding powers, a solid, economic foundation built on natural resources of salt, metal and precious stones deposits and the regency of the prince-archbishops who ruled over “heavenly and earthly” concerns of the people with an absolutistic claim to power.
The building edifice of Residence and Cathedral was the focal point of the land ever since the Middle Ages and a visible expression of the might of the prince-archbishops. These factors secured permanent, independent, cultural and political prosperity for the land from the 8th to the 18th centuries. The rich legacy of the Romanesque, the Gothic and predominantly the Baroque eras still give evidence today of this glory. The Benedictine Monastery directly adjacent to this complex was founded at the start of Salzburg´s mediaeval history and has contributed substantially ever since to the development of its rich cultural and spiritual life.
Follow in the footsteps of the Prince-Archbishops for the first time in 200 years
Prince-Archbishop Guidobald Graf von Thun, considered one of the most important builders of Baroque Salzburg, left his mark on the city´s appearance during his 14-year reign (1654 -1668). He had the cathedral archways constructed, the Residence and Cathedral Squares designed and saw to the building of the present Long Corridor of the Archdiocese of St. Peter. By so doing, he created this circular walkway which has now been made accessible again by former Chief Advisor for Museums and current Governor Dr. Wilfried Haslauer, implementing the 2006 Salzburg Strategic Museum Plan devised by Dr. Dieter Bogner (bogner.cc).
Vistas and Glimpses
The DomQuartier makes it possible to walk around Cathedral Square at the “upper level” and provides new and impressive vistas of the city and its surrounding hills as well as unfamiliar and splendid glimpses into its cultural heart. The history of power, art history and architecture are presented here together in a singular interplay.
Travel back to Baroque times
The Baroque art treasures of the Residence Gallery, the Cathedral Museum, the Archdiocese of St Peter and the Salzburg Museum will in future become the fundament for a Salzburg focus on Baroque. “Salzburg is the quintessential Baroque city north of the Alps but the topic of the Baroque has not been suitably handled or presented, neither in terms of tourism nor in regards to the museum perspective. Our goal is that people travel to Salzburg for its museums as well. The blend of architecture, secular beauty and sacred splendour is unique worldwide,” says Dr. Wilfried Haslauer, Governor of Salzburg.
With a single entrance ticket/
By embarking on this walk which was locked off for 200 years, visitors will experience the Residence state rooms, the Residence Gallery, the Cathedral Museum, the Museum of St. Peter as well as the Rossacher Baroque Collection of the Salzburg Museum in alternation with special exhibits of partner museums.
Splendid state rooms of the Residence – Worldly centre of the prince-archbishops
The Salzburg Residence served for centuries as seat of regency, dwelling and for representational purposes. 15 splendid state rooms bring together 200 years of the history of ruling power and art periods from Renaissance and Baroque to Classicism featuring ceiling frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, High Baroque stuccoed ceilings as well as precious mirrors, chandeliers, clocks and paintings.
Residence Gallery – European paintings of international rank
In eleven halls of the Residence of former prince-archbishops, paintings of the 16th to the 19th century are on display. These splendid locations were already used as a painting gallery at the end of the 18th century under Prince-Archbishop Graf von Colloredo-Wallsee.
Cathedral Archway Terrace – View the Baroque centre of Salzburg
As the link between the Residence and Cathedral, the cathedral archway terrace offers an incomparable vista of Cathedral and Residence Square as well as the adjoining areas of the townspeople´s Old City.
North Oratory – Special exhibitions with a focus on Baroque
In the elaborately stuccoed rooms of the North Oratory of the Salzburg Cathedral, special DomQuartier exhibitions will take place. The artistic, richly decorated Rupertus Oratory can also be viewed.
Cathedral Organ Gallery – Glimpse the spiritual heart of the city
The Salzburg Cathedral is among the magnificent monumental edifices of the Early Baroque. From the organ gallery, the interior of the Cathedral can be experienced in all its glory.
Cathedral Museum – Art treasures of 1,300 years
The museum displays goldsmithery, textiles, painting and sculptures from the Middle Ages up to Baroque from the Cathedral and Salzburg churches.
Cabinet of Art and Curiosities – Objects and curiosities of nature and art
A special sight worth seeing is the prince-archbishopric Cabinet of Art and Curiosities, reconstructed in 1974. The original cabinets from the 17th century reveal a wealth of astonishing artefacts.
Long Corridor – An impressive 70 metres embellished with magnificent stucco artwork
The Long Corridor was erected from 1657 – 1661. Until the end of the Archdiocese, it served as the archbishops´ painting gallery. Continuing this tradition today, large-format religious paintings from the collection of the Archdiocese of St. Peter are again on display.
Museum of St. Peter – Art treasures from the oldest monastery in the German-speaking world
The extraordinarily rich private art collection of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter encompasses an estimated 40,000 objects. The museum is divided into three topics of emphasis: St. Peter and Art, St. Peter and Music, St. Peter in History and Constitution.
Franciscan Church – Glimpse into one of the oldest Salzburg churches
The circular walkway makes it possible for the visitor to get a glimpse into the interior of the Franciscan Church, one of the oldest churches in Salzburg, enabling a detailed study of the famous Gothic stellar ribbed vault.
Opening Hours
Open daily, except Tuesdays, from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Opened daily in July and August
Galerija slika
Address:
Domquartier,
Residenzplatz 1 & Domplatz 1a, 5020 Salzburg
Tel.: 0662-8042-2109 – domquartier@salzburg.gv.at
www.domquartier.at
Tourismus Salzburg
