In 1732, over 20,000 Protestants were
exiled from the Archbishopric of
Salzburg in a cruel and notorious act
of religious cleansing.
EXULANTEN
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Although few people today have ever heard of the great
Salzburg Exile, it was a monumental human event at the time
and one which sent shock waves around the world.
It was not the only expulsion from the land of present-day Austria.
Earlier, an exiled salt miner named
Joseph Schaitberger
wrote spiritually uplifting letters and songs to his compatriots back home
in the form of a small book which was banned and burned by the authorities
but beloved by his oppressed countrymen for generations.
The following pages relate the journey of Joseph's family
and contain additional information as to the fate of his fellow Exiles,
those hearty, devout mountain folk forced to leave their homes
and sometimes even sacrifice their children for their faith.
Please enjoy the journey!