At a Glance

Kapitelplatz in Salzburg is one of the most distinctive and historically significant squares in the city’s Baroque Old Town. Adjoining the south side of Salzburg Cathedral, it blends historic architecture with modern urban life, framed by important historical buildings, the impressive *Kapitelschwemme* (Chapter Horse Pond), and the famous “Golden Sphere” artwork.

Historical Background and Architecture

The square takes its name from the Salzburg Cathedral Chapter, whose former residences and administrative buildings still define the area today. The square acquired its current urban layout during the Baroque transformation of the city under Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau and his successors.

• The Cathedral Provostry (Kapitelplatz 1): Renovated to its current form in 1600, this building served as the official seat of the Cathedral Provostry and is notable for its seven-bay façade.
• The Archbishop’s Palace (Kapitelplatz 2): Since the 19th century, this has served as the official residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg. It was created around 1690 by merging two older canons’ residences under the architect Sebastian Stumpfegger.
• The Cardinal Schwarzenberg House: Located at Kapitelplatz 3, this building originally served as the Prince-Archbishop’s grain storehouse (*granarium*) and today houses, among other things, parts of the Cathedral Archive and the archiepiscopal collections.

The Kapitelschwemme

A visual highlight of the square is the historic *Kapitelschwemme* located on its eastern edge. Built in the 17th century, this former horse pond was used to water and cool down horses. The magnificent fountain complex features a monumental sculptural group depicting the sea god Neptune—holding a trident and wearing a crown—enthroned atop a water-spouting sea horse.

Modern Art and a Place to Meet

Today, Kapitelplatz is not merely a thoroughfare for visitors heading to Hohensalzburg Fortress or St. Peter’s Abbey, but a lively meeting place.

• “Sphaera”: Since 2007, this artwork by Stephan Balkenhol—depicting a life-sized figure, poised in serene composure atop a giant golden sphere—has captivated the attention of locals and tourists alike.
• Giant Chess Set: An oversized chessboard is set into the pavement of the square, allowing visitors to play using large chess pieces.

Thanks to its immediate proximity to the Cathedral, its view of the fortress, and its integration into the city’s cultural life (such as during the Salzburg Festival), Kapitelplatz is an essential stop on any walking tour of Salzburg.

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By car

Access & Parking: Salzburg’s old town is a pedestrian zone or a traffic-calmed zone, so you cannot drive directly to Chapter Square or park there.

Parking options: It is best to use the nearby parking garages, such as the Dinkler Garage or the Altstadt Garages (in the mountain below the Mönchsberg, e.g. Garage A or B). From these parking garages you can reach Chapter Square after a short, picturesque walk of a few minutes through the alleys.

By public transport

From Salzburg main station:

• By Bus: Various bus lines (e.g. trolleybus lines 3, 5, 6 or 25) take you from the main train station towards the center. Get off at stops such as Rathaus or Mozartsteg.
• Alternatively, various regional buses run to the old town region.

The last route on foot: After getting off at one of the old town stops, it’s only a few hundred meters on foot across the Salzach (e.g. via the Makartsteg or Staatsbrücke) and through the historic streets directly to Chapter Square. Click to open a sidebar with further information.