Description of the attraction
The Salzburg Museum of Contemporary Art consists of two museums located in different locations. The Rupertinum is the main building of the museum and is located in the center of Salzburg next to the Palais des Festivals. The building of the museum was built in the early Baroque style in 1633. Here, in the center of the Old City, a seminary was located for many centuries. Until 1974, the building was used as a student residence. The beautiful tiles made by Hundertwasser draw attention to the museum's façade.
The Rupertinum came into being thanks to a resident of Salzburg who donated part of his vast collection of 20th century art to the city. The museum was opened in 1983 and until 2004 remained the only contemporary art museum in Salzburg. In 1998, an international architectural competition was organized for the construction of a new museum building. 11 jury members, chaired by Luigi Snozzi from Switzerland, selected the design of the Munich-based team of architects Friedrich Hoff Zwing from 145 applications. The museum was built in 2004 on the Mönchsberg cliff. The building of the new museum has 4 floors and is made in a modern style: the facade is faced with marble and divided by special seams that act as air conditioners. After the opening of the new museum, Rupertinum became a part of it.
Both museum buildings have approximately 3,000 square meters of exhibition space. These spaces allow for a wide variety of exhibitions, introducing new artists to the public. The large halls of the new museum constantly host international exhibitions of contemporary art. A panoramic restaurant with an open terrace with a wonderful view of Salzburg was opened on the third floor of the new museum building.
