Altstadt

Altstadt is the historic old town of Salzburg, Austria, and the city’s cultural and architectural core. The district is internationally recognised for its concentration of medieval and Baroque buildings and for its association with composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The old town contains narrow lanes and principal squares such as Residenzplatz, major landmarks including the Salzburg Cathedral and the fortress Hohensalzburg above the river, as well as shopping streets like Getreidegasse. Museums, historic houses and concert venues are concentrated within walking distance, and much of the centre is pedestrianised.

Salzburg’s Altstadt developed from a medieval market town into a Baroque seat of the prince-archbishops during the 17th and 18th centuries, when many churches, palaces and public buildings were constructed or remodelled. The area’s appearance today reflects those layers of medieval street patterns and Baroque civic architecture.

The Altstadt sits on the northern bank of the Salzach River in central Salzburg, with the Festungsberg and Mönchsberg hills forming natural boundaries. It is the compact historic heart of the city and is easily reached from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and other central transport nodes.

• UNESCO World Heritage: The historic centre of Salzburg was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 for its Baroque architecture and well-preserved medieval layout.
• Best viewpoints: Best panoramic views of the old town are from the Festungsberg and Mönchsberg hills above the Salzach River.

What to See #

• Getreidegasse: A narrow historic shopping street known for wrought-iron shop signs, traditional façades and the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at No. 9.
• Residenzplatz: A broad Baroque square flanked by the Archbishop's Residence and other civic buildings, used for markets and public events since the medieval period.
• Salzburg Cathedral: A large Baroque cathedral whose current form dates mainly to the 17th and 18th centuries and which dominates the cathedral square.
• Hohensalzburg Fortress: A medieval hilltop fortress above the old town, with origins in the 11th century and extensive later Baroque and modern restorations; it overlooks the Altstadt and Salzach River.