Salzburg Photos: St. Michael's Church
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The Michaelskirche or Church of St. Michael is considered to be the "oldest"
church of Salzburg; or at least built on the site where the first Christian
church was built. Archaeologists think that it is likely that the Roman town
Iuvavum, at the site of modern Salzburg's old town, already had a significant
Christian community; maybe this community even survived the collapse of the
Roman Empire and the gradual retreat of Roman administration (if not population)
from the area. In this case, St. Rupert might have found an existing group of
Christians upon his arrival at the ruins of Iuvavum - in which case he would
have formalised existing traditions. In any case, Rupert's foundation, the
monastery of St. Peter, owns and maintains the Michaelerkirche - which got its
current face in the 18th century. Outside and interiors are in a playful Rococo
style.
photo (c) visit-salzburg.net
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