Alter Markt

The “Alter Markt,” or Old Market in Salzburg’s medieval city center, was established in the 13th century as an urban commercial hub and marketplace. Between 1873 through 1927, the area was named as Ludwig Victor area after Archduke Ludwig Viktor, Emperor Franz Joseph I’s younger brother who relocated to Klessheim Palace in 1861.

The central market was previously connected to the dairy market, herb market, turnip/cabbage market, and stove fitters’ market. The area is surrounded by a collection of beautiful town houses, many of which date back to the Middle Ages.

The Old Marketplace not only functioned as a weekly market but also as a joyful location for the Whitsun dance, the sword dance by the Dürrnberg miners, St. John’s fire during the midsummer festival, and the yearly barefoot bakers’ dance. Until 1889, the Old Marketplace also hosted the yearly Lent market. After 1813, it moved to University Square and Residence Square, and it was utilized for an autumn fair, also known as St. Rupert’s fair, until 1856. In 1857, the weekly market was relocated to present-day University Square.

The market fountain may be found in the heart of the Old Marketplace. It was constructed in 1488 to replace the previous beautiful fountain. Its octagonal basin was constructed between 1685 and 1687 and is encircled by two marble stairs. Wolf Guppenberger created its corner columns with acanthus and rosettes, as well as an exquisite scrollwork grill sitting over the water basin, in 1583. The coat of arms of Salzburg may be found on the fountain column and wrought iron grill. Josef Anton Pfaffinger carved the statue of St. Florian von Lorch at the top of the fountain column in 1734.

The Old Marketplace now has an amazing row of town homes, the heart of which typically goes back to the Middle Ages but is layered by early modern design.
The tiniest residence in Salzburg’s old city center is a rare find.It is positioned close to the famed Tomaselli cafe and has a width of barely 1.42 meters. Between 1830 and 1860, the little home was erected to seal a narrow alley.

Since the end of the 16th century, the historic archiepiscopal pharmacy has been housed on Alter Markt. Across from the Old Residence is the historic coffeehouse, Café Tomaselli, and the Café-Konditorei Fürst, whose founder developed the Mozart-Kugel chocolates.