The Summer of Culture in Saalfelden Leogang

In addition to the beautiful landscapes, in the most contrasting region of the Alps there is also a varied music and cultural programme to enjoy. As always, the well-known Jazzfestival Saalfelden will be included in 2023, but the Theater Ecce will also provide excellent entertainment with its pieces and the Kunsthaus Nexus will offer a versatile program for music and culture lovers of all ages. If you want to learn more about the history of the Saalfelden Leogang region, you will find old treasures as well as special exhibitions in the Museum Schloss Ritzen and in the Mining and Gothic Museum. 

 

43rd Jazzfestival Saalfelden from 17 - 20 August 2023

For the 43rd time, the Jazzfestival Saalfelden is the meeting place of the international jazz scene and as every year there is a lot of new things to discover.  The combination of stunning scenery and experimental sounds draws devotees from all over the world to the small town by the sea every August. For four days, international artists play the stages around Saalfelden. Jazz is not only a musical style, but also a synonym for openness and freedom as well as musical crossing of borders. Musicians such as Lukas King, Dave Douglas, Yvonne Moriel, Luis Vicente, Leo Genovese, Zoh Amba, Myra Melford, Allison Miller, Andreas Schaerer, Michiyo Yagi and many more will perform on the stages in and around Saalfelden on these four days and delight the hearts of the visitors. Among the various venues are the Congress Saalfelden, the Kunsthaus Nexus and the Otto-Gruberhalle, an empty industrial hall from the 1950s. The program also includes concerts in the open air or musical hikes on the surrounding mountains. More than half of the concerts are free again this year!

 

ALM:CULTURE: Tradition meets modernity

“Tradition meets modern” is the motto of the Salzburger Almsommer in Saalfelden Leogang and makes a beautiful hiking day a unique experience. From July to September, various art and cultural projects, such as concerts and workshops, take those interested in culture to the surrounding alpine pastures. It will start on July 14th at the Steinalm with a concert by the Paris Lodron Music Ensemble. No registration is required, the concerts are free!

 

SOUNDTRACKS: Enjoy music at sunset on the mountain 

In the midst of a breathtaking mountain backdrop, the TONspur concerts at the Asitz will inspire again this summer. On five Thursdays between 29 June and 10 August, different musical bands and performers play at sunset on an outdoor stage at the foot of the large Asitz with a fascinating view. In bad weather, it is loaded into the Asitzbrew.

 

Kunsthaus Nexus: lots of concert series, cinema and theatre 

With its versatile offer for young and old, the Kunsthaus Nexus in Saalfelden is a fixture in the Pinzgau cultural scene. Cinema for kids and Gschnagga theatre for the little ones, clubbings and band contests for the youth, jazz concerts, blues, rock and metal events, exhibitions in the Kunsthalle, programme cinema, literature, lectures, theatre and cabaret – the programme leaves nothing to be desired. At the Jazzfestival Saalfelden from 17th to 20th August, the Kunsthaus Nexus is again one of the central stages.

 

Solstice Festival: the game of fire on the mountain

At the astronomical beginning of summer, the annual traditional fire play takes place on the mountain. On June 24, countless mountain fires adorn the Steinerne Meer and the Leoganger Steinberge. The ancient custom is said to ward off evil demons and “boost” the fertility of meadows and fields. Under the musical framework of the railway town band Saalfelden you can enjoy the magical sight of the solstice festival at the Ritzensee. There is also a solstice event at the Asitz, the “Fest am Berg”.

 

Kulturverein FRERAUM: culture-loving & communal

The Kulturverein FRERAUM Leogang wants to promote grown and new culture locally and offers an open stage for local and foreign artists. The diverse offer is intended to offer guests and locals an added cultural value. The art trail at the Asitz will be filled with artworks by Abtenauer Isabella de Lorenzo this year and will open on June 25. Until October, her artworks invite you to take a short break from the forest trail (mountain station Asitz) via the “Stille Wasser” at Asitz to the Sinnerpark. Furthermore, FRERAUM also organizes a concert with “Conny und die Sonntagsfahrer” and thus brings the most beautiful cult hits of the 50s and 60s to Saalfelden Leogang. Another highlight is the “chamber music in huts” festival from 3 to 5 November. On three consecutive days, the Kulturverein FRERAUM in cooperation with the Mining and Gothic Museum Leogang offers lovers of contemporary and early music the finest listening pleasure in chamber music. 

 

Theatre Ecce in Saalfelden Leogang 

In Saalfelden Leogang, theatre is of great importance. Therefore, the Theatre Ecce visits us several times and honors us with a variety of plays. It will also start on May 9 at the Kunsthaus Nexus with “Das grote Welttheater”. The play “Paradise” is also performed there. Finally, in October, Theater Ecce enriches the region with the play series “Alaaddin and the Wunderlamp” in the Theater Tent in Leogang. 

 

Mining and Gothic Museum Leogang 

The Mining and Gothic Museum houses mining masterpieces and Gothic art from the Middle Ages and the so-called heyday of mining. For example, the famous prayer nut Mary of Burgundy can also be admired. In addition, visitors can expect exciting special exhibitions again this year, such as the Kitzbuehel private collection Vogl-Reitter with a total of 50 panel paintings, sculptures, reliefs and furniture from the Gothic period. In addition, the limited special stamp of the series “Sacred Art” will be available from May. Through the cooperation with the Philatelist Association “St. Gabriel” and the Austrian Post AG, the brand “Hostienpyxis der Archbishops of Salzburg, Limoges” was created.

 

Museum Saalfelden in the castle Ritzen 

As one of the four remaining castles in Saalfelden, the Museum Schloss Ritzen offers insights into the history of Saalfelden. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, you can always discover special exhibitions. From the 4th of May, the new exhibition “H_ZWEI_O” will be shown, which highlights water as a central role in our lives. The museum also hosts two castle concerts. The first will take place on May 4 and will be designed by Musikum Pinzgau. The Klezmer Connection Trio feat. Simone Pergmann her acclaimed program. 

 

Showcase mine Leogang

If you want to learn more about mining, you should visit the show mine Leogang. From the 15th century onwards, miners mined silver, mercury, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel and magnesite here. Many unique tunnels have been created as a result. In 1970, the mine was closed, and in 1989 it was opened to visitors. The show mine covers the history of mining dating back to the 14th century. Guides guide the guests on foot through the extensive mine construction. Part crouched, part goose-walking, the adventurous path leads directly into the past through narrow tunnels and gives an insight into the hard work of the miners. The show mine can also be experienced barrier-free and virtually. The “Virtual 3D Tour” can be viewed from home at www.schaubergwerk-leogang.com. Visitors get an insight into the 3,000-year-old history of Leogang mining. The digital excursion is accessible to everyone without barriers – all you need is a smartphone, a PC or a tablet. This makes the history of mining in the Schauer mine in the Schwarzleo Valley even more attractive. For this special commitment and personal commitment, Knappschaft Leogang was honored with the Tourism Award. In addition to the interactive 3D model, there was some reconstruction work around the show mine. A mine railway that once transported miners and mined treasures now takes even the smallest visitors through an artificial tunnel. After the eventful visit to the Schauminwerk, it is worth a stop in the cozy Knappenstube. There you can enjoy the local cuisine, discover interesting pit maps and take home some mining souvenirs. Guided tours are offered from May to October. Solid shoes and warm clothes should be brought.

 

Peasant Autumn

The weekly market at Rathausplatz Saalfelden has already started in April and of course continues into the autumn farmers season. Every Friday from 8:00 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. , visitors can expect regional specialties, homemade crafts and souvenirs that can be purchased.

 

Summer sounds around Saalfelden Leogang

For musical entertainment around the region, the citizens’ music Saalfelden and the railway town band Saalfelden provide. In July and August, sea concerts take place every Tuesday at the Museumplatz Ritzensee. The music band Leogang also organizes traditional concerts for connoisseurs during the summer months.