Silent Night! Holy Night!

For centuries, the song has crossed borders and overcome crises. It connects people no matter their origin, age or religion, and provides a link back to the time during which it was created. Over 200 years ago, Joseph Mohr, a priest from Salzburg, and Franz Xaver Gruber, a teacher from Upper Austria, sang the song for the very first time at the St. Nikola Church in Oberndorf near Salzburg. The original poem was authored by Joseph Mohr, whereas Franz Xaver Gruber added the melody on his request. Only a few years later, singing families from the Zillertal valley carried the song from Austria into Europe and the rest of the world. Today, the song is performed in over 300 languages and dialects.

Many different national and international artists and choirs have interpreted this song in their own unique ways. Among them is Zucchero, who dedicated his heartfelt rendition to Salzburg — a true message of love. His version beautifully captures the gentle, timeless spirit of Silent Night, highlighting the emotion and serenity that have made the carol beloved around the world.

Silent Night – a message of peace to the world

Across the world, a wide variety of artists and choirs continue to inspire listeners of all generations with their distinctive interpretations of “Silent Night.” Whether performed in intimate chapels, grand concert halls, or under open winter skies, each rendition carries its own magic and breathes new life into this iconic Christmas song.

Renowned artist Zucchero brings “Silent Night” to life with a heartfelt tribute to Salzburg and a universal message of peace. His soulful rendition transforms the timeless carol into a musical love letter, celebrating the city’s beauty and the enduring spirit of harmony.

Today, there are around 100 active  Wiener Sängerknaben (Vienna Boys’ Choir members) aged between nine and fourteen, divided into four concert choirs. Each choir spends nine to eleven weeks of the school year on tour. Altogether, the choirs give approximately 300 performances annually, reaching nearly half a million spectators. The Vienna Boys’ Choir travels to almost every country in Europe, as well as to Asia, Australia, North and South America, the United States, and Canada.

On the traces of “Silent Night”

The many Silent Night locations in SalzburgerLand, Upper Austria and Tirol invite you to follow the traces of the world-famous Christmas song:

• discover the song’s magic and its origin story at the 12 Silent Night locations in SalzburgerLand, Upper Austria and Tirol
• dive into the history of and explore the many stories around the world-famous Christmas song
• various Silent Night museums
• explore picturesque villages, towns and other special places via individual tours and travel routes spread across the three provinces
• try out Christmas recipe ideas from the country of origin of “Silent Night”