The Beating Heart of the Schloss
Max Reinhardt spent his most joyful hours in what we now refer to as the Max Reinhardt Library, often entertaining guests late into the night.
Inspired by the Abbey Library of St. Gallen, he designed this space in 1927 to reflect harmony, elegance, and theatrical flair—complete with painted ceiling cartouches, a hidden staircase behind a disguised door, and carefully balanced proportions.
The Max Reinhardt Library eventually held some 15,000 volumes across 18 sections, including rare first editions, theater journals, and books with personal dedications. It remains a testament to Reinhardt’s deep love for learning, storytelling, and human connection.
Enduring Symbols of Jewish Heritage
Throughout Schloss Leopoldskron, Max Reinhardt left quiet but powerful traces of his identity.
Stars of David and his personal insignia are intricately set into the wooden and brass doors of the Max Reinhardt Library, Green Salon, Red Salon, and his former office.
Despite the Nazi seizure of the Schloss in 1938, these symbols of Jewish heritage were never removed. Their survival remains a mystery, perhaps mistaken for part of the original baroque design.
Today, they stand as enduring testaments to cultural pride and resilience in the face of persecution.
Confiscated and Returned
In April 1938, the Nazis seized Schloss Leopoldskron from Max Reinhardt as “Jewish property.” Some of his books were burned in Salzburg’s public square days later.
Yet thanks to Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe—briefly installed at the Schloss by the Nazi elite—most of Reinhardt’s library was shipped to him in New York before her own exile.
The space was later used by party officials until 1945, when the U.S. military liberated the Schloss and converted it into officer housing.
A Living Library of Global Voices
The Max Reinhardt Library continues to be a space for reflection, learning, and exchange.
Alongside titles from Salzburg Global’s early reading lists, the shelves now hold the growing “Fellows Collection”—books authored by Salzburg Global Fellows themselves.
By contributing their published works, Fellows help shape a living archive that reflects the Salzburg Global’s reach and impact.
In the past, Salzburg Global programs, such as Public Policy New Voices Europe and the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change, have also encouraged Fellows to imagine themselves as 'human books’ in the Max Reinhardt Library.
This concept allows people to indulge in conversational reading with others and learn about the experiences that have shaped them.
Not a Museum: A Place to Belong
Schloss Leopoldskron is not a museum—it’s a lived-in space, a place for reflection, connection, and creativity.
Whether you're reading in the Max Reinhardt Library, playing piano in the Great Hall, or having a walk in the gardens, we invite you to make yourself at home.
These rooms hold history, but they’re also here for you—to think, talk, laugh, rest, and be inspired.
Please help us care for this special place. Respect the space, tidy up after yourself, return any books to the designated shelf, and let our team know if anything gets damaged.