Schloss Rosenberg
Former Mayor Peter Padourek about the town hall
Castle Rosenberg
In the center of Zell you can see the majestic Castle Rosenberg. It was built in 1577 by the tradesmen and brothers Karl and Hans Rosenberger.
Before, the piece of land was used for viticulture and over the centuries the castle has seen many owners and served different purposes: as a restaurant, a forestry commission office, an administrative building for a mine council and, until 1908, as the district court.
The style of a true Salzburgian 'little castle' can be found in other buildings in the region as well but none of these is so prominently placed as Castle Rosenberg.
In 1970, the municipality of Zell am See bought the castle and consequently converted it into the town hall. Since 2009, it is a modern building of the town administration and open to the public at any time.
On the upper floors, openings and exhibitions are held regularly and the wedding room on the first floor is not only a place where many couples tie the knot but also a dignified setting for receptions, press conferences and honor celebrations.
From the piano stool to the mayor's chair
Already as a child, Peter Padourek regularly visited Castle Rosenberg. His father was a musician and accompanied the wedding ceremonies celebrated in the castle. At the age of 13 and gifted with the same musical talent, young Peter often replaced his father during school holidays. Already at this time, he regarded the mayor's chair in awe and pictured himself how it would feel like being the mayor in Castle Rosenberg.
And indeed, a few decades later, in 2013, the trained massage therapist became the mayor of Zell am See. For him, it was an office that he held with pride and humility but also with great pleasure because Peter Padourek is a true fan of Zell am See. He especially appreciates the change of the seasons, the wide range of leisure and sports activities and the fact that the town offers a lot on a relatively confined space.
The magical rose garden
For the former mayor, who found an interesting hobby not only in music but also in magic, Castle Rosenberg is the most beautiful work place he could ever imagine. He is especially fond of the rose garden at the south front of the castle.
Shielded from the street by walls, the tenderly cared garden is a true gem of peace and quiet right in the center of the district capital. For the newlyweds leaving the wedding room, the garden offers, of course, beautiful scenery for the very first wedding photos. During any sightseeing walk, the garden is a worthwhile place for a little break because from here one can observe the beautiful architecture of the castle particularly well. The roses remind of the castle's creators (the name Rosenberg literally means 'mountain of roses'). The castle has been standing at this place for more than 400 years and is, just like the parish church and the Vogtturm, a true landmark of Zell am See.
Construction of the Gisela railway and start of tourism
Thanks to the establishment of the “Gisela-Bahn” through the imperial and royal railway cor-poration Zell am See turned into one of the most popular tourist destination in Austria. The first hotels were built and made the base for the sustainable touristic success of Zell am See.
