Below is a letter we used on the web site.  This is a very important
project.  I think I mentioned that we are not involved at all in the
restoration, just trying to get the project completed and to have the
Salzburg Stier returned to Hohensalzburg.  A definite date for the
celebration in 2002 is still not official but expected to be in June
if all goes good.  Lots of new discoveries are being made which I will
be reporting on.  Also meeting of May 28/01 in Salzburg to discuss
celebration is on for sure.  Please visit the "Stier" web site at
http://www.geocities.com/salzstier/

Best Regards
Ron Schmuck

 - - -

    "Help make the Salzburg Bull roar again"

Dear friends of the "Salzburg Bull",

In the summer of 2002, after almost seven years of silence, the
world-wide unique mechanical organ from the late Middle Ages, the
"Salzburg Bull", will again be able to roar.

The organ was installed as a form of siren/alarm clock in 1500 under
the instruction of the Archbishop Leonard von Keutschach, who ruled the
independent dukedom of Salzburg from 1495 until 1519.  From then on the
bull roared three times a day for nearly 500 years to remind the
inhabitants of Salzburg of the time of day.

The roar is actually a very strange organ sound, reminiscent of a
bull roaring, hence the local name which has remained until this day:
the "Salzburg Bull."  The mechanical organ is to be found at Europe's
biggest castle complex, the fortress of Hohensalzburg, which has stood
majestically above the town, famous as the birthplace of Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, since the 11th century.

Naturally a not inconsiderable sum must be planned for and invested
each year in order to maintain the historic buildings in a condition,
commensurate with the expectations of the almost 1 million visitors
from all over the world.  In addition to such necessary building
maintenance, in 1995 the Department for Conservation sounded the alarm
concerning the organ mechanism; to continue to play it three times a
day would damage the drum and the pins set into it.  They appealed for
the restoration of the 'Salzburg Bull'.

At the end of the millennium renowned experts were contacted with
regard to the renovation :- a firm of traditional organ builders in
Lower Austria, whose heritage stretches back over generations, and
an expert on barrel organ drums from Utrecht, known for his work
throughout the world, were selected to carry out the work.  Such
specialist knowledge, however, has its price; by completion in the
summer of 2002, the project will have accounted for a sum of 5 million
Austrian shillings (approx. 330,000 US$).

The regional government of Salzburg and the Republic of Austria, the
latter being the legal owner of the fortress of Hohensalzburg, have
part financed the project.  To make up the rest of the sum, the SBSB
(Salzburg Castles and Palaces Enterprises, a department of the regional
government, which is responsible for the historic site) has established
with the help of international enthusiasts, the fundraising project
"Help make the Salzburg Bull roar again".

If you would also like to help rescue a unique cultural asset which has
been recognised by UNESCO since 1997 as part of the world's cultural
heritage, then please read the following pages of this web site.

As a sponsor your name will be engraved on a plaque and thereby
preserved for posterity .In addition you will be invited as a guest
of honour to the "reincarnation of the Bull'  in Salzburg in June 2002.

But even if this time you can't help financially, I am sure that
the history of the 'Salzburg Bull' will be an enrichment for every
knowledgeable reader and castle enthusiast.

With this in mind, my enthusiastic team at the fortress Hohensalzburg
and I leave you with our best wishes from the musical town of Salzburg;
home of the mediaeval bull's roar, the unforgettable music of Mozart
and the well known musical, 'the Sound of Music'

Barbara Walton
Director, Salzburg Castles and Palaces Enterprises
Salzburg Regional Government

  Responsible for the fortress of Hohensalzburg, the Salzburg Residence
  -- for many centuries home  of the prince-archbishops, the fortress
  of Hohenwerfen, and Mauterndorf castle.