The dismantling of American artist Paul Wallach's monumental concrete star sculpture began Monday morning on Salzburg's Krauthügel hill. The 200-ton artwork, which has dominated the landscape protection area directly below the historic Hohensalzburg Fortress for over seven years, is now being relocated to the Pinzgau region.

The "Fallen Star" by New York-born Paul Wallach marked the conclusion of the five-part Krauthügel art project, which was carried out by the Salzburg Foundation in collaboration with the Foundation for Art and Culture Bonn and St. Peter's Archabbey. Heavy machinery including excavators, telescopic loaders, and tractors began the careful dismantling process on Monday, with the sculpture's segments being expertly separated and carefully loaded onto tractor trailers.

The removal became necessary after the nature conservation exemption permits for the installation finally expired. The land belongs to St. Peter's Abbey, and while the star was officially opened in 2018, it was originally scheduled to be removed last year. However, former Archabbot Korbinian Birnbacher explained that they had initially assumed the star would inevitably be destroyed during removal, prompting an extended search for a new location for the horizontal sculpture.

After the challenging search for a replacement site – complicated by the artwork's massive dimensions of 130 by 148 feet and its 200-ton weight – officials have confirmed that the star will relocate to the Brandlhof event center and hotel in Saalfelden in the Pinzgau region. This new location will allow the sculpture to be viewed from the surrounding mountains at greater heights, which aligns with the artist's original vision.

The Brandlhof gained particular prominence this year for hosting football training camps, including that of Al-Nassr featuring star player Cristiano Ronaldo. The venue has also expanded its congress center facilities. Once the meadow on Krauthügel is leveled and restored, nothing will remain to remind visitors of the sculpture's seven-year presence at the site. Those wishing to see the sculpture in its new permanent location will be able to view it from the mountains surrounding the Brandlhof in Saalfelden.