The Early Owners

Schloss Leopoldskron has had many owners since its commission in 1736 by the controversial Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold Anton Freiherr von Fir- mian. The Scottish Benedictine monk Bernhard Stuart is regarded as Leopoldskron's master builder. The stuccoworks on the ceilings by Johann Kleber were described as “the best example of rococo stucco the land can offer.”

Firmian's nephew Count Laktanz, an artist and collector, enriched Schloss Leopoldskron with works of artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Dürer, and Titian. The Count was one of the first sponsors of Leopold Mozart and his son, Wolfgang Amadeus. When Laktanz died in 1786, Schloss Leopoldskron experienced a period of decline, with its extensive art collection sold off. During the 19th century, the palace passed through various hands, amongst them Bavarian King Ludwig I and Carl Spängler, a well-known banker.