Dating back to the 16th century, Schloss Anif stands before you. Its reflection shimmers in the artificial pond. This water palace holds centuries of history within its neo-Gothic walls.
Schloss Anif started as a simple dwelling called Oberweiher. A document from around 1520 mentions it. Lienhart Praunecker, a dominion directory bailiff, owned it. From 1530, the Archbishop of Salzburg regularly granted the water palace as a fief. In 1693, Johann Ernst von Thun restored it. Afterward, the bishops of Chiemsee used Schloss Anif as their summer residence. At that time, it was a plain four-story house. A two-story building connected it to a chapel.
In 1806, Salzburg became part of Austria. Schloss Anif then became public property. For many years, it was leased and remained largely unchanged. That all changed when Alois Count Arco-Stepperg bought Schloss Anif in 1837. Between 1838 and 1848, he transformed it. He rebuilt it in the romantic neo-Gothic style we see today.
After the Count’s death in 1891, Sophie inherited Schloss Anif. She was married to Count Ernst von Moy de Sons. This transferred the palace to an old French noble family.
Schloss Anif became a center of attention in 1918. King Ludwig III of Bavaria sought refuge here. He was fleeing the November Revolution. From Anif, on November 12 and 13, 1918, Ludwig III made a declaration. He refused to abdicate. Instead, he released all Bavarian officials from their oaths. He felt unable to continue governing.
During World War II, the German Wehrmacht occupied Schloss Anif. In 1945, American units followed.
Today, the von Moy family still owns Schloss Anif. They completed a major restoration between 1995 and 2000. Sadly, you cannot tour the inside.
However, Schloss Anif has starred in several films. It appeared in “The Great Race” as Baron von Stuppe’s residence. It also featured in “The Odessa File” as Roschmann’s castle. Director Bryan Forbes revealed Schloss Anif was also in “The Slipper and the Rose”. It served as Cinderella’s home for exterior shots. Most famously, the Sound of Music featured some scenes filmed here.
Schloss Anif continues to capture imaginations. Its blend of history, architecture, and cinematic fame makes it special. Although you cannot enter, take a moment. Admire its beauty and imagine the stories within its walls. Schloss Anif remains a jewel in Salzburg’s crown.