In the small town of Wals-Siezenheim, four kilometers west of Salzburg, lies the beautiful Klessheim Palace. This wonderful Baroque structure was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Johann Fischer von Erlach, the founder of Habsburg Baroque and the progenitor of a famous architectural dynasty.
The first owner of the majestic residence was to be Prince-Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun, but his death in 1709 brought construction to a halt. Work on the palace resumed under Archbishop Leopold von Firmian in 1732.
In its finished form, Klessheim Palace delights the eye with elegance, both exterior and interior. Inside, you can see a large ceremonial hall with an extended terrace and a ramp leading into the garden. Near the entrance there is a fountain with a statue of Triton. The interior of the palace was created by the Italian masters Paolo D’Allio and Diego Francesco Carlone using artificial marble, or stucco, based on sketches by von Erlach.
Since 1993, the palace has been used as Casino Salzburg, drawing gambling enthusiasts from different countries around the world. Here you can play blackjack, poker, roulette, or simply try your luck on the slot machines.
