Perhaps you’ve passed by and wondered about this building. This is the Daunschl\u00f6ssl. It’s also known as Weingartenschl\u00f6ssel or Villa Berta. The Daunschl\u00f6ssl stands where a medieval defense tower once stood.
Let’s step back in time. In 1139, a property called Weingarten belonging to the Salzburg Cathedral chapter was first documented. This very location is where the Daunschl\u00f6ssl now sits. In 1480, Christoph Ebran von Wildenberg, the provost of the cathedral, built a tower in the existing Weingarten. This tower was quite substantial. It measured 13 by 13 meters. The ground floor housed a large hall with two columns supporting the vaulted ceiling. An upper floor likely existed too.
Archaeological excavations in 2010 and 2011 unearthed remnants of this defense tower. They also found ceramic material, coins, and medieval metal fittings. These discoveries tell tales of the Daunschl\u00f6ssl’s past. The excavations also revealed remains of a smaller rectangular building. It seems to predate the square tower. This suggests an even earlier defensive structure existed here.
However, history took a turn. After a conflict with Emperor Friedrich III, Christoph Ebran von Wildenberg had to demolish the tower. Legend says Archbishop Bernhard von Rohr planned to surrender Salzburg to the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. The Daunschl\u00f6ssl and the Almkanal were to be the entry points. This tale is likely inaccurate. However, the emperor did ensure the fortifications were partially dismantled in 1481.
In 1529, the cathedral chapter had Balthasar von Lamberg transform the structure. It became a summer residence for the second oldest canon. From 1528 to 1792, 23 canons resided here. The Daunschl\u00f6ssl got its name from Canon Carl Joseph Graf von Daun. He owned it from 1777. In 1800, he sold it to his gardener, Karl Hoffmann.
Later, Salzburg Mayor Heinrich Ritter von Mertens owned it. He renovated the dilapidated building in an “Old High German style.” Soon after, he sold it to Bertha F\u00fcrstin Lobkowitz. She was the sister of Cardinal Schwarzenberg. The name Villa Berta comes from her. Countess Karoline von Blome then became the owner.
In 1836, Michael St\u00fcrzer opened a cold water spa at the Daunschl\u00f6ssl’s pond. It likely operated until around 1850. Fast forward to the late 1930s. The Salzburg state government acquired the villa. After World War II, the Daunschl\u00f6ssl became an apartment building for government employees.
In 1960, the once grand farmyard made way for apartment blocks. Until recently, the Daunschl\u00f6ssl was surrounded by former nursery buildings and garden remains. Revitalization began in 2012. Parts of the surrounding green space were rezoned for residential construction. Sections of the former nursery have been transformed into a small park. The Daunschl\u00f6ssl has witnessed centuries of change. From a defensive tower to a summer residence, it reflects Salzburg’s rich history. Today, it stands as a testament to the city’s evolving story.