High above the Salzburg Festival halls stands the Edmundsburg. Its three stories a testament to centuries of history. Built between 1694 and 1696 this wasn’t always a seat of learning.
The Edmundsburg began as a summer residence. Abbot Edmund Sinnhuber of St Peter’s Abbey commissioned its construction. He wanted a retreat a place of quiet contemplation. The letters above the entrance portal proclaim his identity: Edmundus Abbas Sancti Petri. This elegant cube with its pyramidal roof once housed more than just the Abbot.
Initially two simpler houses stood on this spot. They belonged to the Lords of Nussdorf. Later they became the property of Felix Pflanzmann. He sold the land to the Abbey. He wanted to support his unmarried daughter. The Abbey then replaced the houses with the Edmundsburg.
The Edmundsburg served as a retreat for the Abbots. It later became a boarding house for worthy monastery employees. However by 1711 it was already rented out to various tenants. Reports at that time complained about a lack of water and poor sanitation. Several rooms became uninhabitable.
One noteworthy feature is the second lightning rod in Salzburg. It was erected here on May 12 1786. Father Dominicus Beck oversaw its installation. The first lightning rod was on Mirabell Palace. After Salzburg became part of the Habsburg monarchy in 1816 the Edmundsburg changed hands in 1834.
In 1853 the Edmundsburg had a new purpose. It became a home for poor boys. Empress Carolina Augusta a childless woman donated 10000 florins to help fund it. The Archbishops acted as patrons. The monks of St Peter’s Abbey supplied the educators.
As the need for more space grew a second building was added in 1902. This is now known as the Edith Stein House. The two buildings could house up to 130 boys. The Cross Sisters of Linz ran the boarding school until 1939. During the Nazi era the Edmundsburg was confiscated but continued as a school.
After the war Father Eberhard Steinbrecher took over in 1947. He ran the house until 1959 when it was handed over to the University of Salzburg. The nearby Edith Stein House saw the founding of the Salzburg University Weeks in 1930. These were forerunners to the re-established Paris Lodron University of Salzburg in 1962.
In the 1960s when plans for a university were developing the Archdiocese took over the Edmundsburg. An international research centre was established in 1964. This supported the rebuilding of the Salzburg University. Today the Edmundsburg houses the Salzburg Center of European Union Studies. It also includes the Stefan Zweig Centre.
The Edmundsburg is accessible on foot via the Clemens Holzmeister stairs or by elevator. The elevator entrance is in the Mönchsberg car park. A fascinating blend of religious retreat orphanage and university center the Edmundsburg stands as a silent observer of Salzburg’s rich history.