Archbishop
1468, Augsburg, Bavaria - 30 March 1540, Salzburg
A cardinal, an imperial chancellor, and one of the most powerful men in the Holy Roman Empire before he ever became Archbishop of Salzburg. Matthäus Lang served as chief secretary and chancellor to Emperor Maximilian I, making him a key figure in European politics and diplomacy. A humanist and patron of Renaissance culture, he brought a worldliness to the archbishopric that few of his predecessors could match.
His most dramatic moment came during the Peasants’ War of 1525, one of the largest popular uprisings in European history. Rebel forces, led in part by Michael Gaismair, besieged Lang inside Hohensalzburg Fortress for months. The fortress held. Lang survived, though politically weakened.
His archiepiscopate (1519-1540) bridged the medieval and early modern eras of Salzburg, connecting the world of Leonhard von Keutschach to the explosive baroque ambitions that would follow with Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau.
On the map
The 2 places on this page, where they actually stand.
Locations
Founded 1077
One of the largest and best-preserved medieval castle fortresses in Europe, perched on Festungsberg hill above Salzburg's Altstadt. Founded in 1077 by Gebhard von Helfenstein, transformed into a princely residence by Leonhard von Keutschach, and never conquered. The defining landmark of Salzburg's skyline.
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.
