Archbishop
3 June 1643, Castel Thun, South Tyrol - 20 April 1709, Salzburg
The archbishop who gave Salzburg its baroque face. Johann Ernst von Thun (1687-1709) was the great patron behind the city’s high baroque building campaign, the man who gave Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach his most important commissions.
Under Thun, Fischer von Erlach designed the Kollegienkirche (Collegiate Church), the Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), the Ursulinenkirche, and the Alte Universitat. Together, these buildings transformed Salzburg into one of the most magnificent baroque cities in the German-speaking world. The architectural character the city retains today is, in large part, the result of this partnership.
Thun’s vision and patronage made Fischer von Erlach’s career. And Fischer von Erlach’s genius made Thun’s Salzburg permanent.
On the map
The 4 places on this page, where they actually stand.
Locations
Built 1694-1702
One of Fischer von Erlach's four major Salzburg churches. Notable for its oval dome, paired towers, and convex outward-curving facade, which forms a deliberate architectural conversation with the concave Kollegienkirche across the river. Adjacent to Mozart's Residence on Makartplatz.
Built 1696-1707
Fischer von Erlach's masterpiece in Salzburg and one of the finest baroque churches in the German-speaking world. His fourth and final major church in the city. The concave facade creates a deliberate counterpoint to the convex Dreifaltigkeitskirche across the river. On Universitatsplatz. A must-see.
Baroque
The official palace and seat of power of the Prince-Archbishops for over 200 years. Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau rebuilt it in grand baroque style. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed for the Archbishop in these very rooms. Troger's frescoes look down from the state rooms. Today the Prunkraume and Residenzgalerie are open to visitors. Directly on Residenzplatz.
Consecrated 1628
The first baroque cathedral built in the German-speaking world, and the dominant church at the heart of Salzburg's Altstadt. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptised here on 28 January 1756. The site has held a cathedral since 774, when Saint Virgil of Salzburg consecrated the first one.
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The longer pieces where this comes up.
If you have seen Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, the most visited building in Austria, you have seen the work of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. He designed it. He also designed the Karlskirche, the National Library, and much of imperial Vienna's monumental face.
