The architecture

The KunstAkademie is located in an impressive industrial monument from the 19th century with spacious creative lofts and in the midst of a magnificent natural backdrop and the historic town center of Bad Reichenhall. 600 square meters of studios, some with wonderful natural light and with an extraordinary amount of space for your creative development …

The Alte Saline is located in the center of Bad Reichenhall at the foot of the Gruttenstein, right next to the brine springs. Salt was already being extracted from these in prehistoric, Roman and medieval times. The last major turning point for salt production in Bad Reichenhall was the great town fire of 1834, when the salt works, including the administrative buildings, south houses and countless other facilities, were destroyed in one night. Despite the extensive damage, salt production was resumed a few days later in improvised brewing huts. In contrast to the burnt-down salt works, King Ludwig I wanted the new building to conform to a generous geometric plan. Construction of the administration building, known as the Beamtenstock, began in the spring of 1836 under the direction of court architect Friedrich von Gärtner. The foundation stone for the main fountain house was laid in 1838. The plans for the salt works were drawn up by Joseph Daniel Ohlmüller and Friedrich von Schenk, the then director of the city’s salt works department.

The KunstAkademie is housed in the right wing of the main building. All the buildings are made of brick with framing and cornices in Nagelfluh and are grouped geometrically around three courtyards; inside, they stand out with room heights of up to 4.80 m and steel girder constructions. The buildings of the brine reserves and the workshop building are located directly on the mountainside. The workshop building, which now houses the art academy, is also home to the historic former prayer hall of the Reichenhall Protestants, which features an elaborate wooden coffered ceiling and wooden wall panels.