The first Salzburg cathedral was built on this spot back in 767. Just few years later renovations began and by 842 that building was burned down. New structure was erected three years later expanded several times and severely damaged in 1598. After failed attempts to reaper old church it was demolished.

Wolf Dietrich archbishop at the time [also responsible of expanding before mentioned Residenzplatz] hired Italian Vicenco Scarmozzi to design new cathedral. In 1614 the cornerstone of the new cathedral was laid down.