Have you noticed the serene Ufer area? It is where Schloss Rif stands today. The name “Rif” comes from the Latin word “ripa” meaning shore. Let’s uncover the history of Schloss Rif.
In 1250, the Guetrater family was granted Schloss Rif. After the Guetrater family died out, the estate was given to farmers. Leonhard Muschl owned Rif for 50 years. Then, several farmers in the area owned it. In 1495, Leonhard Griesenawer sold it to Cristannus Nuecht.
Cristoff Perner von Rettenwörth acquired Schloss Rif in 1533. Cardinal Matthäus Lang gave Perner “das Guet Ryff” as a knight’s fiefdom. Perner largely shaped the look of the Schloss Rif.
Archbishop Michael von Kuenburg consecrated the Georgs Chapel in Schloss Rif in 1557. It became a “Capella Regia” or royal court chapel. In 1560, Archbishop Johann Jakob Khuen von Belasi acquired Schloss Rif. He transformed it into a summer residence complete with water features.
In 1586, Archbishop Georg von Kuenburg established his stud farm at Schloss Rif. A brewery was added in 1704. It produced barley malt for the court brewery in Kaltenhausen.
A fire in 1831 destroyed the south wing of Schloss Rif. The south wing was never rebuilt to its original height.
The widowed Electress Maria Leopoldine von Bayern owned Schloss Rif with the Kaltenhausen brewery. In 1849, Maximilian Graf Arco-Zinneberg inherited it. The estate changed hands several times in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1942, Walter and Elise Pleitner bought the main part of Schloss Rif. The Hager family renovated the buildings from 1974. In 2003, the University and State Sports Center moved in.
Today, you can still see a high brick archway. It marks the entrance to the former estate of Schloss Rif. Next to the gate stands a former gatekeeper’s cottage. A 1.6 km long avenue leads to the Schloss Rif.
Originally, Schloss Rif had four wings. Now, it has three wings with three floors. The northwest tract features corner towers with tented roofs. A sundial adorns the western tower of Schloss Rif.
The main entrance is a wide stone portal with a curved arch. The window frames are mostly original. They consist of Untersberg conglomerate. Some still have the old window baskets.
Several coats of arms of Salzburg archbishops decorate the main facade. These include Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, Guidobald von Thun, and Franz Anton von Harrach. These coats of arms came from the Kaltenhausen court brewery.
The west wing used to house the horse stable of Schloss Rif. Today, the two-aisled vaulted room is a venue. South of Schloss Rif, a rectangular pond remains. It is lined with stone blocks. A barrel vault with garden access lies beneath the base wall.
Since October 2004, Schloss Rif has housed the sports science campus. It is part of the University and State Sports Center Salzburg Rif. As you explore, remember the many transformations of Schloss Rif. From a noble residence to a modern sports center, its history is rich.