Residenzplatz (Residence Square), Salzburg (must see)
As Salzburg's center of government, the historic Residence Square (Residenzplatz) has long been at the heart of the city, set on the site of a former Roman Forum. Originally known as Main Square (Hauptplatz), it was renamed after the Old Residence (Alte Residenz) Palace, the former dwelling of the city's rulers – prince-archbishops – located to the west.
Flanking the square on the sides are several important buildings, such as the Salzburg Cathedral (to the south), and the New Residence (Neue Residenz) to the east, with its bell tower now housing the Salzburg Museum (to the west).
The square's construction began in 1587, as part of the grand project by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to make Salzburg the new "Rome of the North." For that purpose, some of the surrounding medieval homes, as well as the cemetery (above the ancient Roman Forum) had to be leveled.
The square's focal point is the massive central 45-foot-tall Residence Fountain (Residenzbrunnen). Completed between 1656 and 1661 by Tommaso di Garona, it is as Italian as it can be (reportedly the largest and most beautiful Baroque fountain outside of Italy). Made from Untersberg limestone, its design features a Triton statue that propels water upwards – an over-the-top version of Bernini's famous Triton Fountain in Rome.
Notably, in the movie “The Sound Of Music”, the lead character Maria sings "I Have Confidence in Me" while crossing the square by bus on her way to the Trapp villa. She's also seen playfully splashing the fountain's spouting horses.
In the more recent past, Residence Square served as a venue for major rock concerts by the likes of Joe Cocker and Tina Turner. Presently, apart from being a historical site, it is also a vibrant cultural venue hosting various events, including an open-air cinema during summer, a fair in September, and a Christmas market during Advent.
In the 2010s, the square underwent a refurbishment which included the erection of a monument to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazi book burning that took place here in 1938.
Tip:
Grab some lunch from the nearby bakeries or shops and sit on one of the benches near the fountain, enjoying the view.
Flanking the square on the sides are several important buildings, such as the Salzburg Cathedral (to the south), and the New Residence (Neue Residenz) to the east, with its bell tower now housing the Salzburg Museum (to the west).
The square's construction began in 1587, as part of the grand project by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau to make Salzburg the new "Rome of the North." For that purpose, some of the surrounding medieval homes, as well as the cemetery (above the ancient Roman Forum) had to be leveled.
The square's focal point is the massive central 45-foot-tall Residence Fountain (Residenzbrunnen). Completed between 1656 and 1661 by Tommaso di Garona, it is as Italian as it can be (reportedly the largest and most beautiful Baroque fountain outside of Italy). Made from Untersberg limestone, its design features a Triton statue that propels water upwards – an over-the-top version of Bernini's famous Triton Fountain in Rome.
Notably, in the movie “The Sound Of Music”, the lead character Maria sings "I Have Confidence in Me" while crossing the square by bus on her way to the Trapp villa. She's also seen playfully splashing the fountain's spouting horses.
In the more recent past, Residence Square served as a venue for major rock concerts by the likes of Joe Cocker and Tina Turner. Presently, apart from being a historical site, it is also a vibrant cultural venue hosting various events, including an open-air cinema during summer, a fair in September, and a Christmas market during Advent.
In the 2010s, the square underwent a refurbishment which included the erection of a monument to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazi book burning that took place here in 1938.
Tip:
Grab some lunch from the nearby bakeries or shops and sit on one of the benches near the fountain, enjoying the view.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salzburg. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Residenzplatz (Residence Square) on Map
Sight Name: Residenzplatz (Residence Square)
Sight Location: Salzburg, Austria (See walking tours in Salzburg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salzburg, Austria (See walking tours in Salzburg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salzburg, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Salzburg
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salzburg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mozart Walking Tour
Salzburg was Mozart's home throughout most of his short life. For those who wish to immerse themselves in the Mozart world, there are several locations in the city well worth exploring.
Born on Grain Street (Getreidegasse) and baptized in the nearby Cathedral, Mozart played his first big concert, at age 6, at the Residence Palace.
Later, he served as an organist for the Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Born on Grain Street (Getreidegasse) and baptized in the nearby Cathedral, Mozart played his first big concert, at age 6, at the Residence Palace.
Later, he served as an organist for the Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Sound of Music Tour
As the hometown of Mozart, Salzburg is a true mecca for music fans, with no shortage of visitors. In the past few decades, though, Salzburg's Old Town has gained international fame thanks to the Hollywood film "The Sound of Music," shot in 1965. Set on the eve of World War II, the movie follows the lead characters, the Von Trapp family and their nanny played by Julie Andrews, all... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Old Town Gift Shops
Specialty shops make up an integral part of tourist life in Salzburg. The picturesque Old Town of Salzburg boasts a delightful array of gift shops, all within a pleasant walking distance, offering a diverse range of souvenirs and local treasures. Let's take a stroll through some of the notable establishments in this historic area.
We start at Kirchtag, a quaint gift shop known for its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
We start at Kirchtag, a quaint gift shop known for its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Salzburg Introduction Walking Tour
Dubbed the "City of Mozart", the enchanting Austrian city of Salzburg has gone down in history primarily as the hometown of its greatest son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birthplace on a busy shopping street called Grain Lane (Getreidegasse) is now a museum. Also popular is the Mozart Residence, a place where the 18th-century composer spent much of his early life.
Apart from Mozart,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Apart from Mozart,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Walking Tour
The historic center of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, is home to numerous landmarks, including religious sites. Collectively, these historical sanctuaries, from small churches to the impressive Baroque-style Salzburg Cathedral, bear witness to the city's fascinating past and contribute a great deal of charm to its alluring present.
The local Saint Peter's Abbey is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
The local Saint Peter's Abbey is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles