At a Glance

Residenzplatz is the most magnificent and spacious Baroque square in Salzburg’s Old Town. For centuries, it has served as a prestigious center of Prince-Archbishopric power and, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, plays a defining role in the city’s historic skyline. Bordering the Salzburg Cathedral to the east, the square is framed by the Old Residenz, the New Residenz, and a row of historic townhouses. The imposing Residenz Fountain in the center of the square is one of the most significant Baroque water monuments outside Italy. The square hosts major traditional events such as the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market), the Rupertikirtag fair, and open-air concerts.

Origins and Urban Planning Vision

The creation of Residenzplatz dates back to the late 16th century and the ambitious Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. He sought to transform medieval Salzburg into a modern Baroque metropolis, modeled after the great squares of Rome.

To construct this expansive area, 55 medieval townhouses and the old cathedral cemetery were demolished. The Italian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi designed the urban layout. The square was intended to serve as a magnificent backdrop for receptions, parades, and the staging of the Prince-Archbishop’s power.

Architectural Surroundings

Residenzplatz is bordered by four distinctive building complexes:

1. The Old Residenz (West): The former palace of the Prince-Archbishops, featuring state rooms and the Residenz Gallery.
2. The New Residenz (East): Now houses the Salzburg Museum. The tower houses the famous Salzburg Carillon (Glockenspiel) from 1702, featuring 35 bronze bells that chime several times a day.
3. Salzburg Cathedral (South): The cathedral’s imposing north façade closes off the square to the south, transitioning seamlessly into Domplatz (Cathedral Square) via the cathedral arches.
4. Historic Townhouses (North): A continuous row of old patrician houses rounds off the architectural ensemble.

The Residenz Fountain

At the center of the square stands the most monumental Baroque fountain in Europe outside of Rome. The Residenz Fountain was constructed from Untersberg marble between 1656 and 1661 under Prince-Archbishop Guidobald von Thun.

Its multi-tiered structure features:

• Lower basin: Four powerful sea horses (hippocamps) emerging from the water.
• Middle section: Four muscular figures of Atlas supporting a basin.
• Top section: Three dolphins supporting a basin, above which the figure of the sea god Triton blows a jet of water upwards.
• Pop-culture note: The fountain gained worldwide fame in the Hollywood classic The Sound of Music (1965), when the main character, Maria, drives past it and dips her hand into the water during the song “I Have Confidence.”

A Dark Chapter in History

On April 30, 1938—shortly after Austria’s annexation by Nazi Germany—the only major book burning on Austrian soil took place at Residenzplatz. Today, a memorial embedded in the paving stones commemorates the works of Jewish, political dissident, and pacifist authors that were destroyed by the National Socialists.

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By Car

Direct access by car is not possible due to the bollard-protected pedestrian zone. Therefore, please plan to drive directly to one of the nearby underground parking garages or Park & ​​Ride facilities.

• Altstadtgarage / Mönchsberggarage (Central & North):
  • Address for navigation systems: Hildmannplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg.
  • Access: This is the most convenient parking garage for visiting the Old Town. From the Toscaninihof pedestrian exit, it is a 3- to 4-minute walk through the Cathedral arches, past Domplatz, to your destination.
  • Parking ticket discount: You can have your parking ticket for the Altstadtgarage validated at many partner businesses, shops, and museums in the Old Town to receive a discounted hourly rate.
• Raiffeisen-Garage Mozartplatz:
  • Address for navigation systems: Imbergstraße 2, 5020 Salzburg (or access via Basteigasse).
  • Access: Located east of the Salzach River, offering a short walk of about 3 minutes via Mozartplatz.

By Public Transport

As several bus and trolleybus lines serve the immediate vicinity of the Old Town, arriving by public transport is the easiest option.

• From Salzburg Central Station (Hauptbahnhof):
  • Via Rathaus / Ferdinand-Hanusch-Platz: Take trolleybus lines 1, 3, 5, or 6 to the Rathaus or Ferdinand-Hanusch-Platz stop. From there, it is a walk of about 4 minutes via Kranzlmarkt-Gasse or Judengasse directly to the square.
  • Via Mozartsteg: Take bus line 10 to the Mozartsteg stop. After a walk of approximately 2 to 3 minutes heading west, you will arrive directly at the square.
• From Salzburg Airport (SZG):
  • Trolleybus line 2 or line 10 will take you directly—without transfers—to Ferdinand-Hanusch-Platz or Rathaus in about 15 to 20 minutes.