Cultural heritage of melody

The most awaited period of the century arrives in Salzburg. The 2018 inaugurates the 200th anniversary of the melody Astro del Ciel, called in the original language Stille Nacht is the well-known Christmas carol composed by the Austrian musician Franz Xaver Gruber. 
On December 24th, 1818, in the church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, the priest Josef Mohr read a poem to the organist Franz Gruber who composed the melody on the same night. After 200 years, the Stille Nacht has retained all its charm of the Christmas tradition that has been handed down for generations. The Christmas atmosphere is felt in every musical note in Salzburg, thanks to the special exhibition STILLE NACHT 200: from 29th September 2018 to 2nd February 2019 at the Salzburg Museum there will be an exhibition dedicated to the most famous Christmas carol that accompanies visitors in a journey through history, meaning and cultural heritage of melody.
From November 29th to December 18th 2018, the Advent program has scheduled the inauguration of the Gruber organ that remember the authentic emotions of the old music at the parish church of Hallein. The Christmas markets must be visited, which in November and December in the most beautiful squares of cities and villages in Salzburg light up the cozy atmosphere and Christmas that you breathe in the air. Among the most famous markets, Christkindlmarkt, in the center of Salzburg, handed down for 5 centuries is the most frequented by the Salzburgers. The most fairytale setting is the Christmas market at the castle of Hellbrunn, located in the garden of the palace. For children there is a special fun: in the small zoo set up with reindeer and ponies can play and be in direct contact with the animals. www.salzburgeradventsingen.at