Festival Halls

The so-called festival district is located at the foot of the Mönchsberg. The Small Festival Hall was built in 1924/1926. The Large Festival Hall was built to designs by Clemens Holzmeister from 1956-1960. The Felsenreitschule (Rocky Riding School) was built in 1693 after plans by Fischer von Erlach. Site of the annual Salzburg Festival’s main performances. The Horse Pond was built in 1695 by Michael Bernhard Mandl.Three theaters under one roof and each with its own flair: the Salzburg Festival is happy to have its three main stages within close proximity.

The Large Festival Hall was built after plans by the Austrian architect, Clemens Holzmeister, and was inaugurated by Herbert von Karajan in 1960. The façade of the Baroque horse stables, designed by Fischer von Erlach, were retained, as were parts of the intermission foyers. The building seats an audience of 2,177 with an excellent view of the stage. The Large Festival Hall is used for operas and festive concerts. The orchestra pit is the work of the stage designer, Richard Peduzzi. The portal of the main stage can be moved between 14 and 30 meters.