Description of the attraction
St. Michael's Church is located in the very center of Salzburg, in the immediate vicinity of the Residence and the Cathedral. It is considered one of the oldest churches in the city; moreover, in the northern part of the building, ancient burials of the ancient era were recently discovered. Now these sarcophagi and reliefs with images of ancient Roman gods are exhibited in the Salzburg Museum.
The church itself, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was built even before the reign of the Carolingians, that is, around the 6th century AD. It belonged to an earlier ruling dynasty, the Agilolfing. After the death of the last representative of this family in 788, the church did not lose its special significance and continued to serve as a personal imperial chapel, but only half. Divine services on the upper floor were held only for crowned persons, while the lower floor was open to ordinary citizens as well. This division was carried out until the XII century inclusive. But since 1189, the center of the city of Salzburg was moved to another place, and the Church of St. Michael ceased to play any significant role, even losing its status as the center of the parish.
The church was remembered only in the 18th century, when it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The modern building is painted in a deep pink color and features an outstanding, elegant bell tower topped with a dome. But it is especially worth noting the interior decoration of the temple, made at the end of the 18th century in the luxurious style of the Rococo era. The window frames, vaulted ceilings and walls are adorned with rich stucco and elaborate frescoes depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
The main altar of the temple, depicting the archangel Michael fighting with Lucifer, was completed in 1650, but in 1770 it was removed in marble. At the same time, side altars were added, depicting the Annunciation, the Archangel Raphael and St. Benedict. At the same time, the main organ belongs, surprisingly preserved in an almost authentic form.
The "visiting card" of the Church of St. Michael is its famous nativity scene, made in 1950. Various scenes from the Bible are played out in it: Christmas, Adoration of the Magi, Flight to Egypt, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
