Since 2015, there have been very special Christmas tours in Salzburg’s cathedral quarter during Advent. QueerSalzburg.at talks to Alexandra Hederer about the tenth anniversary of the Christmas tours. Hederer is responsible for art and culture education and guides visitors through the cathedral quarter at Christmas.

The cathedral quarter is as much a part of Salzburg as Mozart or the Mirabell Gardens. The cathedral quarter describes the complex of buildings surrounding Salzburg Cathedral, which is now open to the public.

This complex includes the painting collection of the Residenzgalerie in the former prince-archbishop’s residence, where paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries are on display. The cathedral arches lead to the cathedral, where the treasures of the cathedral museum can be seen in the south oratory. A special attraction is the prince-archbishop’s art and wonder chamber. The original 17th-century display cases contain a wealth of artefacts from the collections of the Cathedral Museum and St. Peter’s. The Long Gallery is filled with paintings from St. Peter’s Archabbey and leads to the Wallistrakt, where further treasures await. After a look at the Gothic choir of the Franciscan Church, the tour ends in the state rooms of the residence. The cathedral quarter has existed in this form since 2014. Previously, many of the rooms were closed to the public.

Festive noise

Since the opening of the Cathedral Quarter, there has been a wide range of concerts, exhibitions and guided tours on offer. During Advent, a Christmas-themed tour is offered: ‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’. This year’s theme is ‘Festive Noise’. We asked Alexandra Hederer what this is all about. During the Christmas season, she guides visitors through the Cathedral Quarter.

QueerSalzburg.at: What makes the ‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’ tours so special?
Hederer: The ‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’ tours have been running since 2015, so this Christmas we are celebrating our 10th anniversary. Of course, walking through these festive and magnificent rooms is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit. Together, we admire selected exhibits in one of Salzburg’s oldest buildings. Outside on the cathedral terrace, we then listen to our traditional tower brass ensembles, who play music to each other from different towers.

QueerSalzburg.at: And what can we expect from the theme ‘Festive Noise’?
Hederer: This year, our focus is on festive music. On the one hand, there are our traditional tower brass ensembles, which play to each other from different towers. During our tour, we also discuss historical aspects of festive music, such as the archbishops’ announcement music. We explain how these important people were announced at events with trumpets and trombones. But we also cover works by musical greats such as Michael Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father Leopold, who are simply part of Salzburg’s history.

‘You see, you hear, you smell, you taste’

QueerSalzburg.at: What do you think is the best thing about ‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’?
Hederer: My favourite part is listening to the musicians on the cathedral terrace and enjoying the view together. The Salzburg Christmas market is right in front of us. Delicious treats are also delivered to the terrace from the Christmas market. Delicious treats, a beautiful view and Christmas music – what more could you want? You can see, hear, smell and taste.

‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’ is for everyone who wants to discover the Cathedral Quarter with all their senses during Advent and then perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the Christmas market.
Sebastian Brandstätter

‘Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter’ 4th, 11th and 18th December from 5 p.m. Tickets for the guided tours are available here.