Salzburg Austria - Dedication Of Cathedral (1628)

I enjoyed Zohar's 2 recent posts on the historical context of talers so much I decided to try my hand at something similar.



I have always been fascinated with the cathedrals of Europe. I had the fortune to study in Spain for a semester in college, and took several trips to cities throughout Europe for the sole purpose of spending time in the cathedrals. Years later when I became more engrossed in collecting European coinage, the following 2 commemorate issues from Salzburg caught my eye. The coins were struck to commemorate the dedication of the cathedral in 1628. A stroke of luck helped me to find both within months of each other.

1628 - Salzburg half taler



1628 - Salzburg taler



The talers were struck to commemorate the dedication of the cathedral in 1628. Built in the baroque style of architecture, the structure was commissioned after the previous cathedral was severly damaged in 1598. The cathedral measures 466 feet in length and 109 feet at its dome. The relics of Saint Rupert are housed in the cathedral, said to be the founder of the city of Salzburg in the late 5th century. Interestly, the cathedral would be the site of the baptism of one of the city's most famous residents: composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

For me, the history of the site is as impressive as the structure itself. The site has hosted a Christian church since the year 774. The foundation of the 1628 cathedral was built on the ruins of a former Romanesque style basilica which dated to approximately 1200. However, the history of the location does not stop with the first church in 774; the site once served as the forum of the Roman city of Juvavum.