University of Salzburg - The Origins of The University of Salzburg

The Origins of The University of Salzburg

After Salzburg was annexed by Bavaria in 1810, the University was closed and dissolved on the 24th of December. To replace the institution, a so-called “Lyzeum” was founded, which probably relates to a proper University, like a polytechnical one. The Lyzeum had a section for divinity, one for philosophy and one for medicine and surgery. A few years later in 1816, Salzburg finally became part of the Austrian Empire.

The Lyzeum was closed in 1850, when Austria lifted the divinity section of it to a University Faculty. The re-awakening local pride of Salzburg and recovering economy leads to several attempts to re-establish a full University. These attempts fail for 150 years.

In 1962, the University of Salzburg was re-established with a Faculty of Catholic Theology and for Philosophy. Classes started in 1964, the year that is generally considered to be the year of the foundation. One year later, a Faculty of Law was added to the proliferating University.