Lyla Lindsey
The Sound of Music was filmed at various locations in and around Salzburg, Austria, including Leopoldskron Palace, Frohnburg Palace, the Mirabell Palace Gardens, the old town of Salzburg, and the basilica in Mondsee. Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world, is one of the most well-known filming locations from the movie. The abbey served as the home of the novice nun Maria, and several scenes were shot there, including the iconic song Maria and the children visiting the abbey. The exterior of the abbey, with its outer courtyard and gate, features prominently in the film.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Abbey | Nonnberg Abbey |
| Location | Salzburg, Austria |
| Type | Benedictine monastery |
| Founded | c. 712/715 |
| Founder | Saint Rupert of Salzburg |
| Current Status | Oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world; Protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Significance in "The Sound of Music" | Home of novice nun Maria; Filming location for several scenes |
| Notable Scenes Shot at the Abbey | "Maria", "What will this day be like?", nuns talking about Maria, the von Trapp kids visiting, the escape scene |
| Other Filming Locations in Salzburg | Mirabell Palace, Frohnburg Palace, Leopoldskron Palace, Mondsee Basilica, Residence Square, Hellbrunn Palace |
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What You'll Learn
- Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria
- The abbey is the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world
- The building features in several scenes in the film, including the opening sequence
- The interior scenes of the abbey were reconstructed in a Hollywood studio
- The abbey is a protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria
Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, is the oldest continuously operating nunnery in the German-speaking world. Founded by Saint Rupert of Salzburg around 711-715 AD, it is characterised by its Gothic architectural elements, murals, and smaller works of art. The abbey is located a little above the city at the foot of the Festungsberg, beneath Festungsberg hill, and is part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first abbess of the Benedictine abbey was Saint Erentrudis of Salzburg, who was either a niece or a sister of Saint Rupert. Since 1624, she has held the title of "Landesmutter Salzburgs" (Mother of Salzburg), and her tomb is located in the crypt of the church. The abbey's endowment was provided by the Agilolfing duke Theodo of Bavaria and his successor, Theodbert.
The nunnery's church, Maria Himmelfahrt, is Salzburg's oldest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is considered one of the city's most significant churches. It was constructed in the late Gothic style with three naves from 1464 to 1506 and features a late Gothic winged altar with a statue of Mary as its centrepiece. The church also boasts a Romanesque crypt, unique freestanding columns, and a magnificent reticulated vault.
The convent gained international recognition through its novice Maria Kutschera, whose abbess sent her to serve as a governess to the widowed Baron Georg Ritter von Trapp and care for his seven children. Nonnberg Abbey was featured in the Hollywood production of "The Sound of Music," with several scenes shot in the building overlooking Salzburg, including Maria's departure from the abbey and the children's visits. The nuns' choir can be heard singing every morning at 6:45 am, filling the abbey church with Gregorian Chorals.
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The abbey is the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world
Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, is the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world. Founded between 712 and 715 by Saint Rupert of Salzburg, the abbey has a rich history that spans over a thousand years.
The monastery complex, established beneath the Festungsberg hill, has undergone various transformations and expansions over the centuries. The early history of the building complex is not well documented, but we know that Saint Rupert appointed his relative, Saint Erentrudis, as the first abbess. Erentrudis, also known as Salzburg's Mother of the Nation, is buried in the crypt of the church.
Nonnberg Abbey has faced several challenges throughout its existence, including fires and reconstructions. The abbey church was rebuilt after a blaze in 1006 with the support of Emperor Henry II, who attended its consecration in 1009 along with his consort Cunigunde of Luxembourg. Unfortunately, this Romanesque building was again largely destroyed by fire in 1423, leading to a lengthy reconstruction process between 1464 and 1509.
The Benedictine rule was implemented in the early 12th century under Archbishop Conrad I of Salzburg. The abbey church was enlarged in 1624 with the addition of three side chapels, and it underwent a refurbishment in the Baroque style during the 1880s. Despite these changes, the abbey has maintained its status as an important religious site.
Today, Nonnberg Abbey is a protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The abbey itself is not open to visitors, but the abbey church and cemetery are accessible to the public. The nuns of Nonnberg Abbey continue to sing Gregorian chants every morning, carrying on the religious traditions established centuries ago.
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The building features in several scenes in the film, including the opening sequence
Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, is the building that features in several scenes in the film 'The Sound of Music', including the opening sequence. Founded around 712-715 AD by Saint Rupert of Salzburg, it is the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world. The building's outer courtyard and gate appear in the film multiple times, most notably when the nuns sing "Maria". The abbey is also featured in scenes where Maria leaves the abbey to take care of the von Trapp children, the nuns talk about her, the children visit, and the Nazis hunt the von Trapps. The wedding of Maria and Captain von Trapp takes place in the abbey, although the filming location was Mondsee Cathedral in Mondsee, Austria.
The abbey played a significant role in the real-life story of the von Trapp family, as well as in the film. After graduating from college, Maria Augusta von Kutschera took a train to Salzburg to present herself as a candidate for the novitiate of the Benedictine Sisterhood. She served as a governess outside the abbey and later married Baron von Trapp in the Abbey Church in 1927. The nuns at the abbey also assisted the von Trapp family in escaping from the Brownshirts.
The Original Sound of Music Tour® takes guests to the settings of the movie, including the gazebo from the film, which was originally located on the grounds of Leopoldskron Palace during filming. The tour also includes a visit to the Riding School, a historic theatre built into the mountain of Mönchsberg in the 17th century, where the von Trapps perform during the Folk Festival in the film.
Salzburg and its surroundings became famous around the world due to the film, and it continues to attract fans who want to walk in the footsteps of the legendary von Trapp family. Many of the filming locations are within walking distance of Salzburg's city centre, and most of the locations are real-life places that are considered tourist attractions for their individual beauty.
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The interior scenes of the abbey were reconstructed in a Hollywood studio
The Sound of Music was filmed at various locations in and around Salzburg, Austria. The Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, is the convent featured in the film as Maria's abbey. It is the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world and has been a protected monument since 1996.
The exterior of the abbey, as seen in the film, is the real Nonnberg Abbey. Several other locations in Salzburg were used for filming, including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Frohnburg Palace, and the old town of Salzburg. The wedding scene was filmed at the basilica in Mondsee, a small town about 15 miles east of Salzburg.
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The abbey is a protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, is a protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Founded around 712-715 by Saint Rupert of Salzburg, it is the oldest continuously operating nunnery in the German-speaking world. The abbey has a rich history, with rulers of the city and the church rebuilding it multiple times after fires destroyed it. The Benedictine rule was implemented in the early 12th century under Archbishop Conrad I of Salzburg. The abbey church has undergone various refurbishments and reconstructions over the centuries, with the addition of side chapels and a Baroque-style refurbishment in the 1880s.
The abbey is closely associated with the story of Maria von Trapp, whose life inspired the Broadway musical and film "The Sound of Music". Maria was a novice at Nonnberg Abbey, and the abbey features prominently in both the original story and the film. Several scenes from the movie were shot at the abbey, including Maria leaving the abbey to care for the von Trapp children, the children visiting, and the Nazis pursuing the von Trapps. The abbey's gate was also the setting for a pivotal scene where the children plead with Maria to return to their home.
The abbey's location beneath the Festungsberg hill and the ruins of the former Roman city of Juvavum add to its historical significance. The first abbess, Saint Erentrudis of Salzburg, has a special connection to the city as she was either a niece or sister of Bishop Rupert. Her tomb is located in the crypt of the church, and she holds the title of "Landesmutter Salzburgs" (Mother of Salzburg). The abbey's endowment was provided by the Agilolfing duke Theodo of Bavaria and his successor, Theodbert.
As a protected monument, Nonnberg Abbey is recognised for its cultural and historical value, and its preservation is ensured for future generations. Its inclusion in the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg further underscores its importance as a key element of Salzburg's rich architectural and cultural heritage. Visitors to the abbey can explore its architectural features, such as the late Gothic winged altar with the statue of Mary, and experience the morning Gregorian Chorals sung by the nuns.
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Frequently asked questions
The abbey in The Sound of Music is called Nonnberg Abbey, and it is located in Salzburg, Austria.
Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and the oldest continuously existing nunnery in the German-speaking world.
Yes, Nonnberg Abbey is a real place and it is a protected monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The opening scene where the nuns go to mass and Maria returns too late was filmed at Nonnberg Abbey. The performance for the song "Maria" was staged in the courtyard of the abbey, and the children came to the abbey's gate to ask Maria to return to their home. The escape scene, with the cars parked outside the abbey gate, was also shot at the abbey.
You cannot go inside Nonnberg Abbey, but it is still worth visiting to see the outside, according to some sources.
