DomQuartier (Cathedral Museum), Salzburg (must see)

The DomQuartier is located in the galleries of the Salzburg Cathedral. The southern oratories or galleries that house this museum have magnificent baroque décor and command spectacular views of the city and the interiors of the cathedral including the nave and aisles.

The museum was founded in 1974. The purpose was to display exhibits dedicated to the 1300-year history, life, and culture of one of the oldest archbishoprics in Europe. The collections are from the cathedral itself as well as other parish churches that came under the Archdiocese. The oratories where the museum is located were once used as chapels.

Exhibits displayed in the DomQuartier include medieval sculptures, textiles, medieval gold artifacts that formed part of the treasure owned by the archbishops, the sacred dove of Limoges, a precious jewel studded monstrance and the 8th century and St. Rupert’s Cross, the oldest exhibit in the collection. There is a cabinet of curiosities that has a collection of objects that are not related to religion like fossils, stuffed animals, and scientific instruments. The long gallery built between 1657 and 1661 has many notable religious paintings by well-known artists including the reliefs of Georg Raphael Donner and works by Johann Michael Rottmayer and Paul Troger.

Tip:
Take the audio guide (available in multiple languages with a separate guide aimed at children); each room is labeled with a number which you tap into the handset to hear the commentary.
Make sure you allow plenty of time. The audio-guide tour lasts about 1.5 hrs but you can tap in requests for additional commentary.
If you stop for a drink on the panorama terrace and include any special exhibitions, your visit could stretch to 3-4 hours.
You aren’t allowed to take photos, but you can find plenty of seats and toilets along the route.
Staff is on hand to help you stay on track and to reset the audio guide if you mess up!