Visiting Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg: Expectations, Tips & Info

As a Catholic, I’m always drawn to exploring churches, as you may have noticed from this blog’s Tourist Attractions category.

These churches are a rich part of our heritage, and it’s inspiring to see how they’ve stood the test of time through centuries of division, war, and other challenges.

In Salzburg, there is one particular religious landmark that serves as a good example of this — Nonnberg Abbey.

Impressively, it has existed since the year 715, making it the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world.

Given its age and religious significance, it’s no wonder it is listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Center of the city of Salzburg.

Founded in the 8th century, there’s no denying that Nonnberg Abbey has truly stood the test of time.

However, if you visit today, you’ll find that its appearance has changed dramatically from its original form. Very little of its original Romanesque features remain.

Instead, it’s mostly Baroque on the outside and Gothic on the inside — architectural styles that flourished in the period of the High Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Throughout its over-a-thousand-year-long history, the Abbey has faced several fire incidents, particularly in the years 1006 and 1423, which required extensive repairs and reconstruction. These repairs have altered the Abbey’s appearance — it has also undergone several improvements and additions.

In the late 15th century, the church’s crypt and choir were constructed, while in the early 17th century, three side chapels were added to enlarge the church. The last major improvement came in the late 19th century when Baroque style refurbishments were applied to the Abbey.

While the Nonnberg Abbey’s church may not look as gorgeous as other churches in Salzburg today, the beauty of visiting Nonnberg Abbey lies in its enduring monastic community.

The story of Nonnberg Abbey is one of resilience and faith in the face of adversity — a true inspiration to all who visit.

Throughout its history, the Abbey has faced economic hardships, special payments, and taxes in times of war that often brought it to the brink of financial ruin. Yet, through it all, the spiritual life of the community remained strong and unwavering.

Even when the Reformation swept through Europe, Nonnberg Abbey stood firm in its faith.

The political independence of the Salzburg archdiocese saved it from abolition by Emperor Joseph II, and though the Napoleonic era brought the loss of many possessions, the Abbey persevered.

Perhaps with the monastic prayers and through God’s protection, it even escaped abolition during the Nazi period and was able to offer shelter to other Salzburg religious communities during those difficult years.

While Nonnberg Abbey is known as the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world, it is most famous for its connection to the classic movie, The Sound of Music.

It served both as a real-life setting for the story and a filming location, making it a notable tourist destination in Salzburg. Especially for fans of the movie, they often take tours around Salzburg to visit each of the movie’s iconic scenes in the city, including Nonnberg Abbey.

If you aren’t familiar with The Sound of Music yet, its story is based on the real-life story of Maria Augusta Kutschera, who became a postulant at Nonnberg Abbey.

She was sent to be the governess for the seven children of widowed naval captain Georg von Trapp and eventually fell in love with and married him.

The film follows Maria’s journey as she brings music and love back into the von Trapp family’s lives.

Indeed, it’s a meaningful movie packed with beautiful lessons like the power of believing in yourself, understanding that running away doesn’t solve anything, the importance of family, and acceptance of rejection with grace.

While Maria and Georg von Trapp were married in the Nonnberg Abbey Church, their wedding scene in the movie was filmed in Mondsee, not at Nonnberg Abbey.

Only the front gate of the Nonnberg Abbey and cemetery were featured in The Sound of Music.

Here, you can recall the scenes in the movie which show Maria leaving the convent, the children asking to see Maria, and the Von Trapp family escaping Nazis with the help of the nuns who sabotaged the Nazis’ car.