Did you know that the beautiful Christmas Carol ‘Silent Night’ originated in Austria :)?
From the small village of Oberndorf near Salzburg, the world’s most famous Christmas carol has spread around the globe. Learn about the humble and most charming story of its creation.
Without this song, Christmas would only be half as beautiful. Which is why Oberndorf is filled with such an inimitable Advent atmosphere, with the world-famous Christmas song “Silent Night!” taking center stage. Here is the original German version of ‘Silent Night’ (Stille Nacht) sung by the famous Vienna Boys Choir:
Nothing beats standing before the „Silent Night, Holy Night“ memorial chapel in Oberndorf on Christmas Eve and joining hundreds from all over the world in the singing of the Christmas carol though! You’ll feel a chill when you join the chorus singing a song which spread from this very spot to the entire world!
The local priest, Josef Mohr, wrote the words in 1816 and Franz Xaver Gruber composed the famous tune two years later. Near the memorial chapel and the idyllic Christmas market on Silent Night Square, you’ll find the Gruber-Mohr memorial and an exhibit about the history of “Silent Night” in the local museum.
Oberndorf is about ½ hour by car/bus outside of Salzburg and you’ll want to take a photo before the small chapel. Further villages like Wagrain, Mariapfarr and Hallein host Silent Night museums, sights and special events as they were places of activity of the composers.
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