The Salzburg Mozartkugel Specialty – Homage to Genius and Craftsmanship
Willkommen im Haus der Salzburger Mozartkugel – einer der berühmtesten Pralinen Österreichs.
Likely as an homage to the musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Salzburg confectioner Rudolf Baumann first promoted his exquisite chocolate bonbons under the name “Salzburger Mozartkugel” – handcrafted and carefully wrapped in the characteristic silver foil. As the namesake of the sweet Salzburg specialty, Rudolf Baumann simply called his creation “Mozartkugel”. Since the early 20th century, the Salzburg Mozartkugel has been available here: at the traditional Confiserie Josef Holzermayr – in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town. Today, the “Genuine Salzburger Mozartkugel” is a fine composition of pistachio-almond marzipan, with a hazelnut nougat centre, coated in dark couverture chocolate. Crafted with great care and selected ingredients, this sweet specialty remains a coveted gift – appreciated by connoisseurs around the globe.
Chronicle & History of Confiserie Josef Holzermayr
The Holzermayr family – a sixth-generation family business. The roots of today’s internationally renowned Confiserie Josef Holzermayr date back to the year 1865. At that time, the success story of a company that has preserved the highest craftsmanship for generations began in the small town of Werfen.
Josef Holzermayr Sr. was working at that time as a Lebzelter, wax maker, and confectioner. With great craftsmanship, he soon took over the traditionalLebzelterhaus in Werfen, where he first produced and sold his handmade sweet specialties. His diligence and passion for the craft soon made Josef Holzermayr Sr. known beyond the region: with his confectionery delicacies, he was represented at church festivals and farmers’ markets throughout the country.
Another significant milestone followed.
Josef Holzermayr Sr. became an Imperial and Royal Purveyor to the Courtand was henceforth chosen to supply Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Archduke Eugen, and their distinguished guests from around the world with his sweet specialties. With nothing more than a horse-drawn covered wagon, yet filled with ambition and artisanal dedication, the committed confectioner regularly made his way to Hohenwerfen Fortress – an early testament to the esteem his products already enjoyed at that time.
The confectionery in Salzburg’s Old Town.
In line with the company philosophy “Chocolate to Enjoy,” Rudolf Holzermayr and his brother Josef Holzermayr jun., a confectioner by profession, founded Confiserie Holzermayr at Mozartplatz 2-3 in Salzburg’s Old Town. The family aimed to make their handcrafted specialties accessible to a wide audience. The Salzburger Mozartkugel, popular with tourists, developed into a bestseller at the famous Mozartplatz, directly next to the venerable monument of the world-renowned composer. The Café-Konditorei Holzermayr in Werfen formed the artisanal foundation for the house’s sweet creations. After the passing of Josef Holzermayr sen. in December 1912, his son Josef Holzermayr jun. followed in his footsteps and, as a confectioner, took over the continuation of the business. Josef Holzermayr jun. learned the confectionery trade from his father. Rudolf Holzermayr, the elder of the two brothers, promoted the expansion of the coffee house and the bakery through investments. At the same time, he operated an import and export business for overseas honey. Gingerbread, chocolates, candied fruits, finest confectionery, bonbons, jams, dessert pastries, and the Salzburger Mozartkugel enjoyed particular popularity.
With great diligence, his wife Lisa Holzermayr and his sister Maria Holzermayr ran the business. The traditional confectionery wholesale business represented another important pillar of the company. From Salzburg, they supplied confectioneries, confectioners, gingerbread bakers, and specialty confectionery shops with exquisite specialties. The focus was on high-quality chocolate, both for artisanal further processing and for resale. Rudolf Holzermayr was also an importer of Swiss chocolate from Lindt & Sprüngli at that time. During the First World War, Holzermayr was known for the distribution of the coveted Kriegsschokolade (war chocolate), which increasingly became military provisions and a symbol of support from home.
The specialty Salzburger Mozartkugel – Rudolf Baumann – Louise Karuth & Co – Josef Holzermayr as the business successor at Alter Markt in Salzburg’s Old Town.
In 1919, Rudolf Holzermayr relocated his business to its present location, Alter Markt 7, then still known as Ludwig Viktorplatz – directly opposite the traditional Café Tomaselli. There, he took over the confectionery from the retired Louise Karuth, including the specialty “Salzburger Mozartkugel,” whose origin traces back to the business of Rudolf Baumann, who had already handed over his trade to his long-standing and proven employees in 1888. Der Zuckerwaren Großhandel von Rudolf Holzermayr war über viele Jahre der Hauptlieferant von Rohstoffen für die Weiterverarbeitung u.a. auch für die Konditorei Karuth & Co.
The confectioner Rudolf Baumann is regarded as the earliest documented manufacturer and marketer of the Salzburg Mozartkugel as a most exquisite chocolate bonbon.The historical context reveals: The praline was presumably a tribute to the Mozart family, who regularly visited Café Tomaselli – the very café with which Baumann had family ties. Today, the Salzburg Mozartkugel presents itself as a fine composition of pistachio marzipan, nougat, and chocolate, traditionally wrapped in silver-blue tinfoil with Mozart’s image. In der Confiserie Josef Holzermayr wird diese Tradition der Salzburger Mozartkugel bis heute gepflegt. Unter der Leitung von Rudolf Holzermayr mit seinem Bruder dem Konditor Josef Holzermayr jun., Ehefrau Lisa und Maria Holzermayr, wurde die Salzburger Mozartkugel dauerhaft ins Sortiment aufgenommen und bis heute am selben Standort vertrieben.
A classic with character.
The genuine Salzburger Mozartkugel is known for a balanced, classic taste experience at the highest level of confectionery art and thus clearly distinguishes itself from comparable products. In its production today, the use of palm oil is consciously avoided, out of conviction and with the claim to use only the finest ingredients. Also, alcohol is not used in the recipe to enable an intercultural and cross-generational enjoyment.
Strong women in difficult times.
Maria Holzermayr, the owner’s sister, is particularly remembered for her dedicated and self-sacrificing management of the business during the difficult years of the First World War and the crisis years from 1927 to 1933. For over 60 years, she dedicated herself to the company’s survival and, after the Second World War, significantly contributed through her good relations with the US armed forces to ensuring that both the supply of the population and the business itself functioned smoothly.
Expansion and succession.
After the death of Rudolf Holzermayr in 1944, his wife Lisa Holzermayr took over Alter Markt 7 and the confectionery wholesale business as a widow’s continuation of the business. In 1967, Felix Holzermayr established a new company with an independent confectionery wholesale business at Kaigasse 10. Son Felix Holzermayr now supplied specialist shops, confectioners, and merchants with the house’s hallmark: the specialty “Salzburger Mozartkugel.”
The sixth generation.
Today, the company is run by the family in its sixth generation. After Elisabeth Rossmann (née Holzermayr), her daughter Gabriele Truschner-Rossmann took over the management and continues the over 160-year-old confectionery tradition with great care with her son Alexander.
