SCHLOSS BLÜHNBACH
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Austria, Schloss Blühnbach stands as a captivating testament to Austria’s rich heritage, where history comes alive in every nook and cranny. With its awe-inspiring architecture, breathtaking surroundings, and intriguing legends, the castle seamlessly blends the past with the present, and offers a journey through time, leaving those that visit enchanted and longing to return.
Dating back to the medieval era, Schloss Blühnbach has witnessed centuries of history unfold within its sturdy walls. The architecture is a masterpiece in itself. Today it stands proudly as a living testament to the enduring spirit of preservation and continues to thrive as more than just a historical landmark.
Schloss Blühnbach was acquired by Frederick R. Koch in 1987, and since 2020, after his passing, the ownership of the Schloss transferred to the Frederick R. Koch Foundation of Austria, a non-profit deeply committed to promoting increased public awareness of the preservation and significance of this historic Austrian monument. The Foundation is fervently dedicated to supporting the protection, maintenance and educational use of the Schloss so that it may foster an environment where young artists and art historians alike can grow and thrive in their respective fields.
While Schloss Blühnbach is a cherished site of historical significance, the Foundation itself is not an organisation that accepts unsolicited grant requests. Our primary mission is to preserve the castle’s heritage and provide a platform for cultural enrichment, for which our resources and efforts are dedicated.
OUR FOUNDER
Frederick R. Koch was a visionary philanthropist whose lifelong dedication to the arts and humanities continues to inspire and uplift. Born in Wichita, Kansas, in 1933, Mr. Koch pursued a path marked by academic excellence and a profound passion for culture. After earning degrees in English literature and drama from Harvard and Yale, he embarked on a journey that would shape the cultural landscape.
Known as the "collector’s collector," Mr. Koch’s discerning eye led to the preservation of countless artistic treasures, from rare manuscripts to architectural masterpieces. His acquisitions, including Schloss Blühnbach, reflected his unwavering commitment to safeguarding history and fostering creativity.
Beyond his role as a collector, Mr. Koch championed emerging artists, performers, and scholars. His philanthropy extended to organisations worldwide, supporting the performing arts, historic preservation, and education. Through the Frederick R. Koch Foundation, he cultivated opportunities for creativity to flourish and for cultural heritage to endure.
Frederick R. Koch’s legacy lives on in the halls of Schloss Blühnbach and beyond, where his vision continues to inspire future generations to celebrate art, history, and humanity.
LEADERSHIP TODAY
CRISPIN VAUGHAN
Chairman
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BETTINA FISCHER
Vice Chairman
BILLIE JORDAN
Board Member
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PETER TRINKL
Estate Manager
KRISTEN LINFANTE
Director, Development, Programs & Partnerships
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HISTORY OF SCHLOSS BLÜHNBACH
THE ARCHBISHOPS
1431
First documented mention of a hunting lodge at Blühnbach, serving as a wooden retreat for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg.
1525-1526
The original hunting lodge was destroyed during the German Peasants' War but was subsequently rebuilt.
1603-1608
Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau commissioned the construction of a stone hunting lodge on the site, with master builders Ruep Eder, Andrä Mairer, and Gabriel Prändtl overseeing the project.
Early 17th Century
Under Prince-Archbishop Paris Lodron, the castle experienced a period of grandeur, hosting significant hunting events and notable guests.
18th Century
The castle's prominence declined due to its remote location, leading to its use as a stud farm housing several hundred horses.
Late 18th Century
Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus von Colloredo renovated the castle, adding a second floor and refurbishing the roof to make it habitable again.
1816
Following Salzburg's incorporation into Austria, the castle became state property.
1842
Leased to a noble hunting society, the castle served as a base for big game hunting until 1910.
FRANZ FERDINAND
1908
Archduke Franz Ferdinand acquired the estate, transforming it into a private hunting domain encompassing approximately 14,000 hectares of forest.
1910-1913
Architect Ludwig Simon remodeled and expanded the castle in a Neo-Renaissance style under Franz Ferdinand's direction.
1914
Franz Ferdinand's assassination in Sarajevo occurred shortly after the castle's renovations were completed.
THE KRUPPS
1916
The estate was sold to industrialist Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach, who used it as a summer residence.
1950
Gustav Krupp passed away at Schloss Blühnbach.
1967
In 1967, Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach, sole heir of the Krupp Dynasty renounces his inheritance in favor of the Krupp Foundation and receives Schloss Blühnbach (plus a substantial annual apanage) instead.
After a glamorous life with his wife Princess Henriette of Auersperg, Arndt was laid to rest at the chapel of Blühnbach in May 1986.
THE PRESENT
1988
The castle was acquired by American collector and philanthropist Frederick R. Koch, who meticulously restored the property.
2020
Following Frederich Koch's death, the estate became part of the Frederick R. Koch Foundation of Austria, now The Bluhnbach Foundation.
Today, Schloss Blühnbach stands as a testament to its storied past, reflecting the architectural and cultural influences of its various owners.