Oberndorf, Austria
The foundations for the Silent Night Chapel were laid on August 17, 1924, and it was consecrated on August 15, 1937.
Each year, on December 24, a special passenger train pulled by a bright red electric locomotive heads out of the train station in Salzburg for a half hour trip to the village of Oberndorf. A multitude of languages can be heard as passengers from all over the globe become Christmas pilgrims, heading for the birthplace of the world's best loved Christmas carol "Silent Night."
The hillside around the Silent Night Chapel is lit by candles and lanterns held by people who are celebrating the hymn of heavenly peace.
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The Chapel and nearby museum are open to visitors throughout the year. In the museum you will learn the history of "Silent Night" through exhibits and a wall mural of Old Oberndorf. St. Nicholas Church was built to serve the men who worked on the river, along with their families. The salt trade was very important to the economy in those days and the salt was brought down the river in boats on its way to various markets. The museum will give you a fascinating insight into the men who worked on the Salzach River.
The museum and chapel are open daily from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Manfred Fischer, Director of
the Silent Night Museum, for special group tours. |
