Joseph Mohr Birthplace - Salzburg

Joseph Mohr's birthplace is on Steingasse in Salzburg, Austria.  He was born here on December 11, 1792 to Anna Schoiberin and Franz Mohr.  His father deserted the family before he was born, leaving his unmarried mother to raise him.  With the support of  Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, a vicar and the leader of music at Salzburg Cathedral, the young Mohr was able to have an education, and also follow through with his music career, eventually becoming a singer and violinist.  After four years of seminary school Mohr was ordained a priest in 1815.  It was while serving in Mariapfarr that Mohr wrote the words to "Stille Nacht."  Two years later he approached his friend Franz Xaver Gruber about setting the words to music, which he did in just a few short hours, and on Christmas Eve 1818 "Silent Night" was first sung at midnight mass at St. Nicholas in Oberndorf.  Two markers are attached to Mohr's birthplace in Salzburg, however, they are attached to the wrong house.  Mohr was born at Steingasse 9, but in the time since his birth the numbering systerm on his street has changed, so that the house he was born in has now been re-numbered as 31.  The city of Salzburg, unaware of this change, placed his plaque on the current number 9, while his true birthplace at number 31 remains unmarked. 

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