Franz Xaver Gruber

“Silent Night” is considered the most famous Christmas carol in the world. The melody and lyrics were written in the Salzburg region and played for the first time in front of an audience in 1818. The catchy and moving melody was written by Franz Xaver Gruber, who lived and worked in no place longer than Hallein.

From 1835 to 1863 he was active in the saline town as choirmaster and organist in the town parish church. Here in Hallein he also found his final resting place in 1863. The Silent Night Museum Hallein is dedicated to the composer. Some of the documents stored here are among the most important sources on the creation and further development of the song. In the barrier-free Silent Night Museum Hallein you can trace the life and work of the composer.