<strong>Silent Night chapel: </strong>This simple church in the Austrian town of Salzburg is named for the Christmas carol written in and first performed in the town in 1818.
Silent Night chapel: This simple church in the Austrian town of Salzburg is named for the Christmas carol written in and first performed in the town in 1818.
Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images
<strong>Final resting place: </strong>The skull belonging to the song's lyricist Josef Mohr, is interred behind the church's altar.
Final resting place: The skull belonging to the song's lyricist Josef Mohr, is interred behind the church's altar.
John Malathronas
<strong>Salzach river: </strong>The original church in Salzburg was damaged by floods from the river Salzach, over which lies Germany and the neighboring town of Laufen.
Salzach river: The original church in Salzburg was damaged by floods from the river Salzach, over which lies Germany and the neighboring town of Laufen.
John Malathronas
<strong>Mohr and Gruber: </strong>Schoolteacher and musician Franz Xaver Gruber, depicted here holding a guitar, and Josef Mohr, in portrait, collaborated on the famous carol.
Mohr and Gruber: Schoolteacher and musician Franz Xaver Gruber, depicted here holding a guitar, and Josef Mohr, in portrait, collaborated on the famous carol.
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<strong>Humble background: </strong>Mohr, born to an unmarried mother, lived in Steingasse, then one of the poorest streets in Salzburg during his early years.
Humble background: Mohr, born to an unmarried mother, lived in Steingasse, then one of the poorest streets in Salzburg during his early years.
John Malathronas
<strong>Famous font:</strong> Mohr was baptized in the same font as another famous Austrian, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mohr was educated by the church and brought into the clergy.
Famous font: Mohr was baptized in the same font as another famous Austrian, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mohr was educated by the church and brought into the clergy.
Stille Nacht Gesellschaft_Neureiter
<strong>Snowy scene:</strong> The Silent Night chapel, built to commemorate the famous song, looks truly festive in the middle of winter.
Snowy scene: The Silent Night chapel, built to commemorate the famous song, looks truly festive in the middle of winter.
John Malathronas
<strong>Stained glass: </strong>The song's authors are celebrated in stained glass windows in the otherwise simple chapel.
Stained glass: The song's authors are celebrated in stained glass windows in the otherwise simple chapel.
John Malathronas
<strong>Mohr's grave: </strong>Mohr was buried in the town of Wagrein, his last parish as a clergyman, but his skull was later exhumed to help create an artistic rendering of his appearance.
Mohr's grave: Mohr was buried in the town of Wagrein, his last parish as a clergyman, but his skull was later exhumed to help create an artistic rendering of his appearance.
SalzburgerLand Tourismus -Wagrain