A Private Tunnel Divides Salzburg: The Rich vs. the City
- by David Baum
- 3 Min
Frustration Simmers Regarding Salzburg's Elite: Are the Local Wealthy Causing Discontent? - Wealthy Salzburgers Face Increasing Frustration from Local Residents
For eons, Salzburg has basked in the glory of its wealthy inhabitants. The residence of Austria's wealthiest man, Red Bull founder Mark Mateschitz, has proudly anchored the city's high society. Yet, this might be about to change.
Salzburg's Porsche Royalty under Fire
Prominent Salzburg residents, such as the Porsche/Piech clan, have long been a symbiotic part of the city's fabric, particularly in the alpine district of Pinzgau. The family owns ski lifts, cable cars, castles, an alpine pasture, and shares in dairy cooperatives. They're like kings in Pinzgau. But their king, Wolfgang Porsche, finds himself under siege in the heart of the city.
The crux of the controversy? A 500-meter-long tunnel Wolfgang Porsche legally intends to build for his exclusive use. Green politicians and the communist deputy mayor demand public access to his villa because a famous writer, Stefan Zweig, once resided there [1]. While Wolfgang Porsche argues he's done nothing wrong, the city bristles with indignation.
The Flame of Rebellion in Salzburg
The villa, acquired by the Porsches in 2020, sits on Kapuzinerberg, a mountain steeped in history dating back to the early 17th century. As a hunting lodge for the Prince-Archbishops, it was the scene of Nannerl Mozart's piano lessons and the home of Stefan Zweig and his wife from 1919 to 1934. After Zweig's departure, the castle fell into disrepair, and for decades, city residents dreamt of immortalizing the great Jewish writer and Holocaust victim there. Instead, they find themselves faced with the son of an SS man now claiming the castle.
The resentment that's gripped the city stems from growing feelings of exclusivity and, arguably, corruption. The Communist Party KPÖ Plus has risen to become the city's second strongest party, as anger simmers over the increasing affordability issues surrounding small apartments and shady behind-the-scenes dealings [1]. The city's new left-leaning political landscape has ignited a fire under these sentiments. Some say this one tunnel has tipped the scales of rich arrogance too far.
Perhaps a Lesson in Humility for Wolfgang Porsche
If there's a lesson to be learned in all this, it's that the city's history and culture deserve a more inclusive approach. Stefan Zweig himself renovated the castle extensively, installing electric light and a telephone connection and even opening the property to artists and intellectuals. Maybe Wolfgang Porsche should follow in Zweig's footsteps.
- Wolfgang Porsche
- Salzburg
- Controversy
- Red Bull
- Stefan Zweig
[1] "KPÖ Plus prallt in Salzburg auf Ruhm, Macht und Reichtum," Kurier, January 12, 2022, https://www.krone.at/oesterreich/politik/kpo-plus-prallt-in-salzburg-auf-ruhm-macht-und-reichtum-106111301
[2] "Vorwürfe gegen Wolfgang Porsche: Das war der Gesprächstermin," Süddeutsche Zeitung, July 15, 2021, https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/wolfgang-porsche-salzburg-am-kapuzinerberg-1.5696186
- I'm not going to be able to do this, thought Wolfgang Porsche, as he faced the city's indignation over his intention to build a private tunnel on Kapuzinerberg.
- For generations, the Porsche family has been a prominent part of Salzburg, owning property such as ski lifts, castles, and an alpine pasture, but their latest acquisition—the villa on Kapuzinerberg—has particularly stirred controversy.
- Despite the Porsche family's long-standing presence in Salzburg, the city's new political landscape, driven by the rise of the KPO Plus party, is demanding a more inclusive approach centered around the city's history and culture, as exemplified by Stefan Zweig's openness when he renovated the castle on Kapuzinerberg.
