Silent Night Museum Oberndorf
Learn all about the world-famous Christmas song
Housed today in the renovated parsonage of the old Saint Nicholas’ Church, where the song “Silent Night!” was first performed on 24 December 1818, is the Silent Night Museum. On two floors, it presents numerous exhibits and fascinating facts about the world’s most beloved Christmas song.
In Eugendorf, you are barely thirty minutes away from the home town of “Silent Night!” and the memorial chapel – promising a truly festive excursion during your stay in Salzburg.
The story of a song that traveled around the world
The Silent Night Museum stands right next to the famous chapel in Oberndorf. It occupies the same building that was once the parsonage where Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote the lyrics, lived from 1817 to 1819. Here, visitors are provided a complete overview on 260 m2 of the background of “Silent Night!”. Learn more about St. Nicholas’ Church, where the world-famous song was first performed, as well as about the landmarks in the lives of both the song’s creators, Joseph Mohr und Franz Xaver Gruber. Particular emphasis is given to the worldwide importance and dissemination of “Silent Night!”, a song which casts a ray of light into the hearts of countless people around the globe at Christmastime.
Numerous multimedia stations in Silent Night Museum Oberndorf give visitors a vivid, tangible way to appreciate the story behind the creation of this Christmas song. The exhibition also provides glimpses into the lives led by people back in those days. An absolute highlight: a karaoke station, where visitors, young and old, can experiment with various versions of the song in different languages.
Other “Silent Night” museums in Austria
Aside from Oberndorf, Silent Night museums were established in other Salzburger Land communities that had a connection to the life and work of Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber:
- Lamprechtshausen-Arnsdorf – here, the melody of “Silent Night!” was composed
- Wagrain – where the grave of Joseph Mohr is located
- Mariapfarr – it was here that Mohr wrote the text of “Silent Night!”
- Hallein – the last station in the life’s journey of Franz Xaver Gruber
- Hintersee – Doll Museum, including one corner dedicated to Joseph Mohr as well as a Joseph Mohr Chapel
Beyond the borders of Salzburger Land itself, other Silent Night museums exist in Zillertal as well as Ried im Innkreis.
Opening times of Silent Night Museum Oberndorf
- Thu-Sun and public holidays: 10 am to 6 pm
- July and August: daily, 10 am to 6 pm
- The beginning of Advent until Epiphany: daily, 10 am to 6 pm
Guided tours are offered to groups outside of the regular opening times by appointment.
Spend a fascinating holiday in Salzburger Land and visit the birthplace of the popular Christmas song “Silent Night!” in Oberndorf near Salzburg, just 30 minutes from Eugendorf. Select the hotel or apartment you prefer in Eugendorf and feel the anticipation grow, for your upcoming trip to Salzburger Land.