Salzburg as a film city and setting is not new. As early as 1911, a Salzburg motif - the "Steamboat Ride on Lake Zell" - flickered across the screen for the first time. Starting in 1919, the first film crews began to arrive in Salzburg, initially staging the largely unknown but all the more dramatic mountain world of the Grossglockner, Grossvenediger and Kaprun.
Since the international classic "The Sound Of Music" was filmed at Schloss Leopoldskron in 1964, the palace, which is not open to the public, has established itself as a popular film and photo location. The combination of baroque state rooms, 17 acres of enclosed park, lush flowering garden and impressive lakeside terrace with a dreamlike view of the mountain panorama makes the palace truly unique.
Many small productions, but also international Hollywood blockbusters have since been shot at Schloss Leopoldskron. In addition, the palace is also known as a backdrop for numerous music videos, opera productions, fashion shows, or cultural events.
Whether it is an advertising shoot, a television production, a music video or a Hollywood film, due to its versatility, Leopoldskron Palace offers a unique scenery! Please contact us for a non-binding offer for your film shoot at Schloss Leopoldskron.
The Palace
Numerous state rooms are available in the palace, including the historic Max Reinhardt Library, the opulent Marble Room, the playful Green Salon or the extravagant Venetian Salon, which served, for example, as the ballroom in "The Sound Of Music". Versatile rooms for production, administration, direction, make-up and wardrobe are also available. 12 suites round off the facilities for crews and actors.
The palace's terrace and the "Mansbach Garden Parterre" in front of it, with its view over the Leopoldskron lake and the fantastic mountain panorama, is a highlight at any time of the year. The romantic Hercules pond is embedded in the park in a natural landscape, which is rarely found today. In winter, an enchanting fairy-tale landscape offers itself, which resembles a "winter wonderland".
Meierhof
Adjacent to the palace is the 17th century Meierhof.
This historic square courtyard houses, among other things, the hotel's reception, a small café with terrace, 55 boutique rooms and two townhouses, various seminar and production rooms, as well as a beautiful courtyard with green space and fountain. The rooms in the Meierhof are perfect for film crews and teams.
On the lake side, there is a small balcony where the famous love scene in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" was already filmed once.
Select Past Productions
- The Sound of Music (Hollywood film, 1964)
- The Sound of Christmas (American television film, 1987)
- Tove Jaarnek - I've Been Touched By You (music video, 2008)
- Krupp - A German Family (German television multi-part film, 2009)
- Helden - Wenn Dein Land Dich Braucht (German TV movie, 2012)
- Der Wagner Clan (German television multipart, 2013)
- CHANEL Métiers d'Art (French fashion show, 2014)
- Austria's Next Topmodel (Austrian television series, 2015)
- Toyota Alphard (commercial, 2016)
- Salzburg - Gesamtkunstwerk im Herzen Europas (Austrian TV film, 2016)
- Silent Night - A Song for the World (Austrian TV movie, 2018)
- Please Madame - Slow, Slow (music video, 2018)
- 12 Dates of Christmas (American television series, 2019)
- The Magic Flute - The Legacy of the Magic Flute (Hollywood movie, 2020)
- The Magician's Dreams (Austrian television movie, 2020)
- Red Bull Sound of Wake (short film, 2020)
- Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno (opera production, 2021)
- Jedermann auf Reisen (Austrian feature film, 2021)
- The Net - Prometheus (German feature film, 2021)
- Il barbiere di Siviglia (opera production, 2022)
FAQ
I am a hotel guest and just want to take photos and videos?
As a hotel guest, you can take photos on the property and in the palace without special permission, as long as they are purely private. Commercial use of recordings is allowed only after prior consultation and with written permission from the hotel. Otherwise, the hotel reserves the right to take legal action.
I would like to make a film/music video/professional photo shoot/commercial video at the palace?
Please send us a request with details of your intention, we will contact you afterwards to discuss the further procedure.
Are drone flights possible?
The use of remote-controlled drones is NOT permitted over the property and the pond for privacy and traffic reasons, as well as to protect the privacy of our guests, except for large film productions with prior written permission.
What does it cost to film at Schloss Leopoldskron?
The location fee depends on whether you are planning a photo shoot or a film/video shoot, as well as on the number of shooting days and the size of the crew.
Do I need to obtain a filming permit?
Schloss Leopoldskron is privately owned and not open to the public. All photo shoots, video shoots and film productions must therefore be requested in writing and approved in advance. Depending on the size of the production, local permits may also need to be obtained.
Do I have to pay for parking?
Parking is included in the location fee.
Do you allow filming at night?
Filming at night is possible, but outdoor lighting must be registered and approved in advance with the Salzburg Nature Conservancy. Failure to do so may result in administrative penalties.
Can I build a set in the palace?
Provided that the historic, listed infrastructure is not impaired, much, though not everything, is possible.
I already know that I want to film in Leopoldskron Palace. What do I do now?
Please contact us to check availability of dates and to arrange a preliminary appointment for a tour.
How much lead time is required?
This depends on the size of the production and existing bookings. Please contact us to check appointment availability.
Can I come in for a scouting session today?
Please contact us to schedule an appointment. Scouting is scheduled by appointment only and usually on weekdays during business hours.
Do you allow student films?
Yes, as long as all rules and procedures are followed. However, we cannot offer discounts on rates or fees for student productions.
Co-Branding
Schloss Leopoldskron is an Austrian national historic monument and a global icon as one of the original shooting locations for the world-famous movie “The Sound of Music”, as well as the home of the international non-profit rganization Salzburg Global Seminar. Co-branding with Schloss Leopoldskron is thus a mark of quality and sophistication. All revenue generated by film and other productions goes to support the not-for-profit mission of Salzburg Global Seminar.
I have other questions!
For more information, please contact Thomas Biebl, Salzburg Global’s
Vice President for Public Affairs at tbiebl@salzburgglobal.org