With a lecture

Salzburg remembers bomb attack 80 years ago

Salzburg Cathedral was hit and badly damaged in the air raid(Bild: Stadt:Salzburg)

80 years ago today, the Allies attacked the city of Salzburg for the first time during the Second World War. 250 Salzburg residents lost their lives back then. Now, on the anniversary, this incisive event is being commemorated.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the first bombing raid on the city of Salzburg during the Second World War. On October 16, 1944, the Allies attacked the city center: 50 US bombers dropped 500 bombs on the old town and the districts of Nonntal, Kaiviertel and Itzling. 250 people lost their lives and a number of buildings, homes and factories were destroyed. Even the city's landmark, the cathedral, was hit by a bomb.

Several buildings were destroyed, leaving many homeless.(Bild: Stadt:Salzburg)

The subsequent collapse of the cathedral dome has been regarded as a symbol of the attack ever since. Many cultural assets were also lost due to the destruction of today's Salzburg Museum. Until the end of the war in May 1945, there were 14 more air raids on Salzburg. Around 550 people died and 15,000 were left homeless.

Lecture by the city archivist
To mark the anniversary, contemporary historian and city archivist Johannes Hofinger will give a lecture today at 6 pm in the Haus der Stadtgeschichte. New research findings on the Nazi era will also be presented.