Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
monument. For more on the canal system, check out the
Alm River Canal exhibit
(at the
Before leaving, dropinto the fragrant and traditional
bakery
at the waterfall, which sells
various fresh rolls—both sweet and not, explained on the wall—for less than €1 (Mon-Tue
8:00-17:30, Thu-Fri 7:00-17:30, Sat 7:00-13:00, closed Wed and Sun). From here there's a
good view of the funicular climbing up to the castle.
• Now find the
Katakomben
sign and step into...
St. Peter's Cemetery
This collection of lovingly tended mini-gardens abuts the Mönchberg's rock wall.
Cost and Hours:
Cemetery—free, silence is requested, daily April-Sept 6:30-19:00,
Oct-March 6:30-18:00;
www.stift-stpeter.at
.
Visiting the Cemetery:
Walk in about 50yards to the intersection oflanes at the base of
the cliff marked by a stone ball. You're surrounded by three churches, each founded in the
early Middle Ages atop a pagan Celtic holy site. St. Peter's Church is closest to the stone
ball. Notice the fine Romanesque stonework on the apse of the chapel nearest you, and the
rich guys' fancy Renaissance-style tombs decorating its walls. Wealthy as those guys were,
they ran out of caring relatives. The graves surrounding you are tended by descendants of
the deceased. In Austria, gravesites are rented, not owned. Rent bills are sent out every 10
years. If no one cares enough to make the payment, your tombstone is removed.
While the cemetery where the Von Trapp family hid out in
The Sound of Music
was a
Hollywood set, it was inspired by this one. Look up the cliff. Legendary medieval hermit
monks are said to have lived in the hillside—but “catacombs” they're not. You can climb
lots ofsteps to see a few old caves, a chapel, and some fine views (€1.50,entrance at far end
of cemetery, visit takes 10 minutes).
Stroll past the stark Gothic funeral chapel (c. 1491) to the uphill corner of the cemetery,
and follow the high lane back to see the finer tombs in the arcade. Tomb #XXXI belongs to
the cathedral's architect—forever facing his creation. Tomb #LIV, at the catacomb entry, is
a chapel carved into the hillside, holding the tombs of Mozart's sister and Joseph Haydn's
younger brother Michael, also a composer of note.
• Continue downhill through the cemetery and out the opposite end. Just outside, hook right
and drop into...
Justinside,enjoyacarvedRomanesquewelcome.Overtheinnerdoorway,afinetympanum
shows Jesus on a rainbow flanked by Peter and Paul over a stylized Tree of Life and under
