Perched atop the M\u00f6nchsberg, could this neo-Gothic marvel before us be anything other than the Kupelwieser-Schl\u00f6ssl? This structure whispers tales of falcons, artists, and a family’s enduring legacy. It’s more than just a building; it’s a landmark with a rich history.
Once known as the Falkenturm, its story began in 1364. It served a practical purpose then. It was a place to keep the Archbishop’s hunting falcons safe and sound. Imagine the birds of prey perched here centuries ago.
Over time, the tower’s ownership shifted. It became the Tumherrenturm and later the Tumpropsteiturm under the Domkapitel. In 1612, Konstantin Graf Liechtenstein acquired it. That is where the name Konstantinturm came from. For a while it was part of the city’s defenses.
In 1674, the Kloster St. Peter acquired the land around the tower, but not the tower itself. They built the Konstantinmeierei, a farm next to the tower. But the farm did not thrive and was sold in 1822. The tower was not maintained. It collapsed in 1831.
Josef Achleitner, a renowned zither player, purchased the property in 1863. He was also a Kammervirtuose for the King Otto of Greece. Achleitner transformed the site. He constructed a new tower in the neo-Gothic style with an observation deck. The interior reflected the tastes of the time. Visitors were greeted with the sound of a fl\u00fcgelhorn and shown to the S\u00f6ller. After his death, it became a guesthouse called Marienschl\u00f6ssl.
In 1912, Franz Kupelwieser, an industrialist, bought the property. He expanded and renovated it. He called it Stauffenegg, but the name didn’t stick. The Kupelwieser family left its mark. Franz’s son, Ernst, was a physiologist. He developed a method for debittering soybeans.
The Kupelwieser-Schl\u00f6ssl became a haven for artists and intellectuals. Bertolt Brecht worked on “Salzburger Totentanz” here in 1948. Peter Handke lived here from 1979 to 1988. During that time, he penned significant works like “Die Wiederholung” and “Kindergeschichte”. His walks on the M\u00f6nchsberg inspired “Nachmittag eines Schriftstellers.”
Today, the Kupelwieser-Schl\u00f6ssl remains privately owned by the Widrich family. The building is under historical preservation since 1995. Although interior access is limited, its exterior speaks volumes. The Kupelwieser-Schl\u00f6ssl stands as a testament to Salzburg’s layered history. It is a blend of medieval origins, artistic inspiration, and familial legacy. A place where falcons once soared, writers found solace, and a family made their home.