Alter Markt - old market

The oldest market in Salzburg

Dairy shops, herb shops, vegetable shops, and stove shops are attached to the central market. The square is surrounded by a row of stately townhouses built in the Middle Ages.

The Old Market is not only a weekly market, but also serves as the festive setting for the Whitsun dance, the sword dance of the Dürrnberg miners, where the fire is lit during the St. John midsummer and the annual dance of the barefoot bakers. The Old Market was also the site of the annual Lent fair until 1889. The Old Market was extended to University Square and Residence Square after 1813 and was used as an autumn market, also known as the Market. St. Rupert until 1856. The market was moved to present-day University Square in 1857.

Fountain of St. Florian

The fountain in the market is located in the center of the Old Market. It was built in 1488 to replace the previous decorative fountain. Its octagonal basin was built between 1685 and 1687 and is surrounded by two marble steps. Its corner columns are decorated with leaves and roses, as well as a spiral grille with an intricate coiled pattern in steel resting over a water basin, crafted by Wolf Guppenberger in 1583. The statue of Saint Florian von Lorch atop the fountain column sculpted by Josef Anton Pfaffinger in 1734.

Buildings and their history

Today, the old market boasts an impressive row of townhouses dating back to the Middle Ages, albeit covered in modern architecture on the outside.

The smallest house in the historic city center of Salzburg is a rare curiosity. With a width of only 1.42 meters, it is located next to the famous cafe Tomaselli. The cottage was built to close a narrow alleyway between 1830 and 1860.

Ancient apothecary centers have been present in the old market since the late 16th century. Traditional cafes, Café Tomaselli and Café-Konditorei Fürst, the founder of Mozart-Kugel chocolates are also located opposite. with the Old Residential Area.