Villa Ferch-Erggelet

In 1783, a man named Christian Zezi purchased a rather unremarkable building called Haus Neustein. This seemingly ordinary transaction marked the beginning of Villa Ferch-Erggelet’s fascinating story. Located at the start of Arenbergstrasse in Salzburg, Villa Ferch-Erggelet stands as a testament to the city’s rich history. The name “Villa Ferch-Erggelet” itself is a relatively recent addition, adopted only at the dawn of the 21st century. Zezi, owner of the Zezihaus and the Jos. Ant. Zezi company, had grand plans for Haus Neustein. He envisioned transforming it into a state-of-the-art leather factory. In 1787, he commissioned the renowned Salzburg court architect, Georg Laschensky, to bring his vision to life. Laschensky’s design defied the conventional image of a 19th-century factory. Instead of a utilitarian structure, he created a palatial building, more akin to a grand residence than a place of industry. The Villa Ferch-Erggelet stands as a testament to his architectural prowess. Historian Lorenz Hübner marveled at the building, remarking on its pleasing appearance from across the Salzach River. Inside its walls, nineteen workers toiled diligently, processing an impressive 1200 domestic cow and calf hides annually. The villa later passed into the hands of Kajetan Schneeberger in 1872, and subsequently to Max Freiherr von Eggelet in 1886, contributing their own chapters to the building’s rich narrative. From 1931 to 1938, under the proprietorship of Frau Marianne Eggelet, Villa Ferch-Erggelet housed Salzburg’s only “Tearoom”, a unique and fashionable establishment for its time. Today, Villa Ferch-Erggelet continues to enchant visitors with its two magnificent wood-paneled rooms, its atmospheric vault, and its expansive garden. These spaces now serve as elegant venues for receptions, banquets, and concerts, ensuring that the villa’s legacy of elegance and sophistication lives on.