Maria Saal Cathedral

The Pilgrimage and Collegiate Church of Maria Saal is directly connected to the Christianization of Carinthia since the 8th century and is among the earliest church foundations in Carinthia alongside Karnburg.

Bishop Modestus, sent by the Diocese of Salzburg, founded a choral bishopric and consecrated a church dedicated to Mary around 767, "the church of the holy Mary in Carinthia." Modestus, also known as the "Apostle of Carinthia," was buried in the church he built. His grave still remains in the cathedral today. In 1116, the provost established by the Archbishop of Salzburg, Konrad, in Maria Saal is mentioned for the first time in a document (Provost Roman), which again underscored the significance of Maria Saal as a religious site.

In its current late Gothic form , the church was expanded into a fortified church in the early to mid-15th century, along with the surrounding monastery buildings, a feature that proved to be effective during the Turkish invasions from 1473 to 1483. After a devastating fire in 1669, the church received its present appearance during restoration. On this occasion, the "Maria Saalerin," Carinthia's largest bell, was cast for the north tower and consecrated in 1688.

The cathedral and its surrounding area have been shaped by over 2000 years of eventful history: On the facade, world-famous Roman stone reliefs; inside the cathedral, unique frescoes, enchanting Gothic wood carvings, and a very special Baroque organ await you. You can expect outstanding sacred art from six centuries up to the modern day.

Since 2018, the medieval church fortress has been surrounded by a contemporary Stations of the Cross made of over 20 tons of iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. In the old defensive moat, the passion story of Christ up to the resurrection is impressively interwoven with modern life realities.

 Located in the center of Carinthia and therefore in close proximity to Klagenfurt, you can reach the historically significant, dreamy pilgrimage site of Maria Saal in just a few minutes and allow yourself to be enchanted by the beauty of the church and its surroundings, with numerous artworks from antiquity to the present day.

Guided tours for individuals, families, or small groups take place in the summer months every Friday at 2:00 PM . Email: dom.hinteregger@aon.at Advance registration is requested!

Opening times

Price: