In order to create space, the Mönchsberg, among other things, will be further hollowed out, explains the festival’s commercial director, Lukas Crepaz, to the German Press Agency.
There are already venues and facilities on and in this mountain. Such as the Felsenreitschule, which was used as a quarry and for animal shows in past centuries and today serves as a stage for operas and concerts.
Venues “at their limit” due to climate change
A scenery assembly hall is to be built in Mönchsberg from 2026. If it were built further away on a green field, this would result in soil sealing and climate-damaging truck transport, argues Crepaz. As part of the expansion project, space will also be created for rehearsal rooms and workshops that are currently missing.
First, however, the plan is to build a visitor center and a new refrigeration system to ensure more bearable temperatures during performances. “We have already reached our limits due to climate change and the significant increase in peak temperature days,” says Crepaz.
Among other things, the Great Festival Hall will be renovated and the festival’s outdated operating technology will be replaced. Temporary replacement stages are still being sought.
263 became 400 million
All of this is financed by the city of Salzburg and the federal state of the same name as well as from the Austrian federal budget.
According to calculations by the Chamber of Commerce, the Salzburg Festival generates added value of 250 million euros in Austria every year. Taxes and duties amount to 96 million euros. “The investment paid for itself in five years,” says Crepaz.
Originally, the cost was estimated at just under 263 million euros, but due to inflation, this has become 400 million – and that’s not all. Because, starting in 2031, the Felsenreitschule and the Haus für Mozart are to be renovated in the next phase – a cost estimate for this is not yet available.
