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 Mozartkugeln” – 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 at Alter Markt 7 – 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
Confiserie Josef Holzermayr – 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.
The family’s eldest son, Josef Holzermayr Sr., was active as a wax chandler, gingerbread baker, and confectioner at that time. With great craftsmanship, he soon took over the traditional Lebzelterhaus 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. was appointed Imperial and Royal Court Supplier and was henceforth chosen to supply Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Archduke Eugen, and their high-ranking guests from all over 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 keeping with the company philosophy “Chocolate to enjoy” gründeten Rudolf Holzermayr und sein Bruder Josef Holzermayr jun., Konditor von Beruf, am Mozartplatz 2-3 in der Salzburger Altstadt die Confiserie Holzermayr. Die Familie setzte sich zum Ziel, ihre handwerklich hergestellten Spezialitäten einem breiten Publikum nahezubringen. Die bei Touristen beliebte Salzburger Mozartkugel entwickelte sich am berühmten Mozartplatz, unmittelbar neben dem ehrwürdigen Denkmal des weltberühmten Komponisten, zu einem Verkaufsschlager. Die Café-Konditorei Holzermayr in Werfen bildete die handwerkliche Grundlage für die süßen Kreationen des Hauses. Nach dem Ableben von Josef Holzermayr sen. im Jahr 1912, trat dessen Sohn Josef Holzermayr jun. in seine Fußstapfen und übernahm als Konditor die Weiterführung des Betriebs. Josef Holzermayr jun. erlernte sein Konditor Handwerk bei seinem Vater. Rudolf Holzermayr, der ältere der beiden Brüder, förderte durch Investitionen den Ausbau des Kaffeehauses und der Backstube. Zugleich betrieb er einen Im- und Export von Überseehonig. Besondere Beliebtheit erfreuten sich Lebkuchen, Schokoladen, kandierte Früchte, feinstes Konfekt, Bonbons, Marmeladen, Dessertgebäck sowie die Salzburger Mozartkugel.
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 for artisanal processing and the Salzburger Mozartkugel. At that time, Rudolf Holzermayr was also an importer of the famous Swiss chocolate from Lindt & Sprüngli for Austria.
The genuine Salzburg Mozartkugel – Rudolf Baumann – Louise Karuth & Co – Josef Holzermayr as the business successor at Alter Markt 7 in Salzburg’s Old Town.
In 1919, Rudolf Holzermayr moved his business from Getreidegasse and Mozartplatz to its current location, Alter Markt 7, then still called 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 dates back to the businessof Rudolf Baumann, who had already handed over his trade to his long-standing and proven employees in 1888. Rudolf Holzermayr’s confectionery wholesale business was, for many years, the main supplier of raw materials for further processing, including for Karuth & Co confectionery.
Confectioner Rudolf Baumann is considered the earliest documented manufacturer and marketer of the Salzburger Mozartkugel as exquisite chocolate bonbons. The historical context suggests: The praline was presumably an homage 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. At Confiserie Josef Holzermayr, this Salzburg Mozartkugel tradition is still upheld to this day. Under the leadership of Rudolf Holzermayr—together with his brother, master confectioner Josef Holzermayr Jr., his wife Lisa, and Maria Holzermayr—the Salzburg Mozartkugel was permanently added to the range and has been sold at the same location ever since.
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 exclusively use the best 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, his wife Lisa Holzermayr took over Alter Markt 7 and the confectionery wholesale business as a widow’s enterprise. In 1967, Felix Holzermayr re-established the business with an independent confectionery wholesale trade at Kaigasse 10. Son Felix Holzermayr now supplied specialist shops, confectioneries, and retailers in the city and state of Salzburg, in Pinzgau, and in Salzkammergut – primarily with the house’s flagship product: the specialty “Salzburg 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.
