Kapuzinerkloster Salzburg

The Capuchin Monastery was founded in 1595/1596 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, who brought the Capuchins to Salzburg as the second mendicant order. The simple way of life of the order was intended to re-engage the population with the Catholic Church in response to the Reformation. The monastery church, dedicated to Saint Francis and Saint Bonaventure, was consecrated as early as 1602. The Trompeterschlössl previously stood on this site. The monastery underwent several expansions over the centuries, including in 1620 and 1690, when it also became a study monastery for the order and acquired its current form with two inner courtyards. The Capuchins always maintained independence from the territorial rulers. Despite confiscations by French and Bavarian troops in 1810/11 and 1813, and expropriation during the National Socialist era in 1939, when the monastery was slated for demolition, the friars returned in 1945. A comprehensive renovation took place from 1980 to 1983. Since 1998, the monastery has served as a novitiate and an important training center for the German-speaking region. In 1988, Pope John Paul II resided in the monastery during his visit to Salzburg.