TIP: Oberndorf bei Salzburg

17,53 km from Salzburg Residence Palace

In former days, Oberndorf (situated 394 m above sea level) was an old boatmen town and had been granted imperial market rights. Nowadays the central township of the northern Flachgau district has 5,800 inhabitants. Here in Oberndorf near Salzburg, the famous Christmas carol “Silent Night! Holy Night!” was first sung in 1818 in the boatsmen’s church of St. Nicholas. The Silent Night Chapel and many other landmarks remind of the time, when Oberndorf was one of the most important trans-shipment places for the salt from the mines of Hallein.

As befitting a town with a long cultural past, genuine traditions and customs have been kept alive, such as a boatmen’s joust, pirate fight, celebrating Midsummer Night on the Salzach River or the barge rides with the “Boatmen’s Guard” in their authentic uniforms and their old traditions. The closeness to the city of Salzburg (20 min. by car, 30 min. by train) offers guests the opportunity to take in the bustle of the city, yet return at will to the serenity of rural life.

Oberndorf –the Birthplace of Silent Night and a Place for Shopping
With its 5.800 inhabitants, Oberndorf is the most important and central town in the northern part of the federal state of Salzburg.

Embedded in the prealpine gently rolling landscape with its old farmhouses, wooden outbuildings, small chapels and impressive natural monuments, Oberndorf and its surroundings offer you the opportunity to spend a perfect and relaxing vacation.

Genuine local traditions and customs
As befitting a town with a long cultural past, genuine traditions and customs have been kept alive, such as a boatmen’s joust, pirate fight, celebrating Midsummer Night on the Salzach River or the barge rides.

Cyclists, ready, set, go!
Oberndorf may be considered as the ideal starting point for bicycle tours: Tauern Trail, Mozart Trail, Bajuwaren Trail, Silent Night Route, Salt-and-Lake Tour, just to name a few. There is a great choice of family friendly adventure bicycle routes that are connected to the international cycle route network.

Romantic hiking and walking trails
Hiking trails and walking paths are clearly signposted. They are often at the center of many legends, as for instance the Arno Long-Distance Path. The paths follow virgin floodplain forests and moorlands and include magnificent views of the festival town of Salzburg and the impressive Alpine mountain ranges.

Tips for sports lovers
Sports lovers will cherish the great variety of sports facilities: tennis courts, curling rinks on ice and on concrete, a beach volleyball court, skater rink, bowling alley and a large number of paths for Nordic walking.

Convenient public transport system
Take the Local Railroad Services (“Salzburger Lokalbahn”) to Salzburg, only 20 km from Oberndorf, and back. Local trains run every half hour from early morning to late night.
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