The yellow twin-towered Basilica of St. Michael in Mondsee is the wedding church of The Sound of Music movie. It is about 30 minutes by car from Salzburg, in the Salzkammergut lake district.
In the film
The wedding of Maria and Captain von Trapp was filmed here in 1964, with Maria walking down the long aisle to the altar. The church’s high, bright interior and its Baroque altars give the scene its grandeur.
The real history
The church belonged to a Benedictine monastery founded in the 8th century. The present Gothic building dates from the 15th century and was furnished with Baroque altars in the 17th century. Since 2005 it has had the title of a minor basilica. The real Maria and Georg von Trapp were married in Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg in 1927.
A field for your own twirl
Just two minutes’ walk from the church, a tree-lined avenue leads out of the village – the road along which the Captain, the Baroness and Uncle Max drive in The Sound of Music movie. To the left and right of the avenue lie wide open fields: a beautiful spot to film your own twirl. The meadow from the opening scene of the movie is private property, so this is a lovely alternative – please stay on the edge of the fields and respect the farmers’ land. More about the opening scene: Maria’s meadow.
Visiting tips
- The church is open daily and free to enter – please respect services and weddings, which still take place here.
- On our tours we spend about 40–45 minutes in Mondsee – enough time to see the church, take a short walk down to the lake and enjoy a coffee on the market square.
- For coffee and cake, try the traditional pastry shops Café-Konditorei Frauenschuh on the market square or Café-Konditorei Übleis, known for its homemade ice cream and cakes.
- For souvenirs of The Sound of Music movie, the Souvenir Queen shop on the market square has a wider choice than many shops in the city.
- Staying longer in Mondsee? For lunch or dinner, the apollo Aussichtsdeck sits right on the lake, and the Restaurant Benediktus in the former castle brewery has its garden on the church square.
Visit with Bob’s Special Tours
Our guides have been showing guests the filming locations of The Sound of Music movie since 1976 – with the stories behind the scenes, the real history of the von Trapp family and Salzburg’s culture beyond the movie. You can see this location on:
- Public 4.5h tour to the filming locations
- Private 4.5h tour to the filming locations
- Full-day tour to the filming locations and Hallstatt
- Private full-day tour to the filming locations and Hallstatt
- Private tour from Passau or Linz (for Danube cruise guests)
All filming locations at a glance: The Sound of Music movie filming locations in and around Salzburg.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the wedding scene of The Sound of Music movie filmed?
In the Basilica of St. Michael in Mondsee, about 30 minutes from Salzburg.
Did the real von Trapps get married in Mondsee?
No. Maria and Georg von Trapp married in 1927 in Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg.
Where can I twirl like Maria?
The meadow from the opening scene is private property. In Mondsee, open fields lie along the tree-lined avenue just two minutes from the church – a beautiful place for your own twirl.
How long do your tours stay in Mondsee?
About 40–45 minutes – enough to visit the church, walk to the lake and have a coffee. Mondsee is about 30 minutes by car from Salzburg.