Salzburg Festival District

Overview

The Salzburg Festival District (Festspielbezirk) comprises the Großes Festspielhaus, Haus für Mozart, and the dramatic Felsenreitschule — performance venues partly carved into the Mönchsberg cliff face. Together they host the world-famous Salzburg Festival every summer since 1920.

Highlights

• Felsenreitschule: A former riding school with 96 Baroque arcade arches carved directly into the cliff rock, now a 1,500-seat theatre.
• Großes Festspielhaus: A 2,179-seat concert hall with a 30-meter-wide stage, one of the largest in the world.
• Guided Tours: Behind-the-scenes walks through the stage machinery, rehearsal halls, and the rock-cut corridors.

History

Max Reinhardt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and Richard Strauss founded the Salzburg Festival in 1920. The Felsenreitschule was converted from an 18th-century riding school in 1926. The Großes Festspielhaus was built 1956–60 by architect Clemens Holzmeister.

Visitor Tips

• Guided tours run daily (except during rehearsals) at €8.
• Festival season: late July to end of August — book tickets months in advance.
• Duration: 45 minutes (tour).