Silent Night Museum Oberndorf
Learn all about the world-famous Christmas song
Housed in the renovated parsonage of the old St. Nicholas’ Church, where the song “Silent Night” was first performed on 24 December 1818, you will now find the Silent Night Museum. On two floors, it presents numerous fascinating exhibits detailing the history of this world-famous song.
Setting out from Eugendorf , you will be able to reach the hometown of Silent Night, which includes the Memorial Chapel and museum, in around half an hour – an evocative excursion in Advent during your visit to Salzburg.
The story of a song that traveled around the world
Right next to the famous chapel is the Silent Night Museum in Oberndorf. It is housed in the former parsonage where Joseph Mohr, the writer of the lyrics, lived from 1817 to 1819. Here, on 260 square meters, visitors are given a comprehensive overview of the song “Silent Night”. Learn more about St. Nicholas’ Church, where the song was first heard, as well as stations in the life of its two creators, Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber. Special emphasis is given to the its worldwide significance and dissemination, a song that brings warmth to the hearts of countless people around the globe during Christmastime.
Many multimedia stations at Silent Night Museum Oberndorf introduce visitors to the story of Silent Night in ways that are tangible and readily understood. You are also given insights into the life of those times. The highlight: a karaoke station, where younger and older visitors can experiment with various linguistic and musical versions of the song.
Other “Silent Night” museums in Austria
In addition to Oberndorf, Silent Night museums were also established in various other Salzburger Land communities where Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber had lived and worked:
Lamprechtshausen-Arnsdorf – where the melody to Silent Night was composed
Wagrain – site of Joseph Mohr’s grave
Mariapfarr – where Mohr wrote the words to Silent Night
Hallein – the final place where Franz Xaver Gruber worked and died
