Falco Memorial: Watch from fatal crash surfaces

With the ceremonial opening of the Falco Memorial in Puerto Plata, a new and dignified place of remembrance for the exceptional Austrian musician has been created. Falco died in a car accident near Puerto Plata on February 6, 1998. Fans from all over the world now have a new focal point in remembrance of their idol.

The new Falco Memorial (night lighting). Photo credit: Falco Privatstiftung.

The memorial's design is deliberately based on Falco's grave in Vienna's Central Cemetery: a white marble slab, a brown marble obelisk, and Falco depicted in his signature "Night Flight" style. The Falco Private Foundation held a ceremony on February 19, 2026, to mark this occasion, attended by public representatives from Austria and the Dominican Republic.

Particularly moving was the surprise handover of Falco's wristwatch. Secundino Gonzalez Valdez was a police officer on duty when Falco had his fatal car accident. He had secured the watch at the time and used the solemn occasion to present it to the Falco Private Foundation.

Major Valdez presented the Falco watch to foundation manager Wolfgang Kosmata and received a porcelain Falco face print in return. Photo credit: Falco Privatstiftung.

A performance by singer Carmen, along with videos and greetings from the Falco Band and longtime associates like Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher, made the opening a resounding success. Falco fans from around the world watched the festivities via a YouTube livestream.