On the mentioned square stood once - in 1818 - the St. Nikolaus Church. Due to major damage after heavy floods at the end of the 19th century, the church was completely taken down. A decade later, the foundation stone for today's Memorial Chapel was laid, followed by its consecration August 15th 1937. Ever since then, the Memorial Chapel attracts thousands of pilgrims and journalists each year on their search of the roots of this worldfamous Christmas carol.
A 1:1 copy of the chapel is on display in Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth (Michigan/USA). Also known are two models in the scale of 1:25, one in Minimundus (Carinthia/Austria), the other one in Miniwelt (in the south of Germany).
Stille Nacht Kapelle #theta360 #theta360de - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
How to get there
With the car
Oberndorf bei Salzburg is located about 20 km outside the city of Salzburg (Austria). When drining on highway A1, take the exit "Salzburg Nord" and follow the Bundesstraße "B 156" in the direction of Bergheim and Oberndorf. Within 20 minutes you will reach Oberndorf, parking is provided for close to the chapel.
With public transport: the Lokalbahn
Especially for the 24th of December we suggest to take the local public tranport. The so-called Lokalbahn leaves Salzburg's main trainstation every half hour in direction "Lamprechtshausen" and "Trimmelkam". It arrives at "Oberndorf Bahnhof" only 25 minutes later. Special steamengine trains run in the time before Christmas. For further information on tickets, special trains and exact departure times, please see
With the bike
In summer, taking the bike leaving from Salzburg is an excellent choice, since the scenic "Tauern"-bike path leads almost directly to the Memorial Chapel and its museum. Just follow the Salzach river downstream and after about one hour you will arrive in Oberndorf.
