Getreidegasse – The street you must visit in Salzburg
These days, most people visit Getreidegasse for its wide variety of shops, which sell jewelry, traditional clothing, the latest fashion, antiques, leather goods, perfumes, delicacies, and just about anything you could imagine. But the history and architecture of Getreidegasse are equally worth exploring.
Naturally, you will discover this street if you book our classic Secret Salzburg tour or our behind the scenes tour. But in this article, we’ll give you some history and useful tips that will hopefully enrich your visit.
Where Does the Name Getreidegasse Come From?
You might assume that Getreidegasse was once used for storing and selling grain, or perhaps milling flour, but that’s not the case at all. The name actually evolved over time from its original name, “Trabgasse.” Over the centuries, “Trab” became “trav,” then “traid,” and finally “Getreide.”
The History of Getreidegasse
First mentioned in official records in 1150, the street was originally known as Trabgasse. It was an important route through Salzburg towards Bavaria, even during Roman times, with many travelers and traders passing through. Over the centuries, the street was developed as much as the city walls, the Salzach River, and private land allowed. An interesting fact that illustrates Getreidegasse’s status: the street was regularly cleaned in earlier centuries. Every Saturday evening and before holidays, water from the Alm Canal was used to flood the street, washing away dirt into the Salzach River.
Thanks to its central location, Getreidegasse has always been a hub of trade and wealth. It housed merchants, pharmacies, workshops, breweries, and inns. The tall, narrow buildings were owned by council members, officials, judges, and mint masters. One of the most famous houses is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Born here in 1756, Mozart lived in this house on Hagenauer Square for the first 17 years of his life. Today, the building is home to the Mozart Museum, which is well worth a visit.
You can explore the life and legacy of Mozart by booking our “In the footsteps of Mozart” private guided tour.
The Passages of Getreidegasse
Many buildings along Getreidegasse have passages on the ground floor that are open to the public, giving the street its distinctive charm. These interconnected buildings give Salzburg a unique architectural flair. The passages link Getreidegasse to Griesgasse and Universitätsplatz. Some passages have become shopping arcades, providing access to courtyards and hidden shops. The Schatz House Passage, leading from Getreidegasse 3 to Universitätsplatz, is the most frequented. In a dark niche within this passage is an impressive relief of the Madonna and Child. A plaque also commemorates the stay of German socialist leader August Bebel. The courtyards, many adorned with arcades, are a must-see when visiting the city.
The Buildings and Their Many Decorations
Although the buildings on Getreidegasse are quite narrow due to the compact construction, they are still spacious. The buildings extend deep into the plots behind the street, providing plenty of room. Originally, the land behind the buildings was used as gardens. Later, these gardens were replaced by workshops, storage buildings, stables, and servant quarters. As these rear buildings were connected to the main structures, typical courtyards were formed. In recent years, local businesses have used these back areas to expand their retail spaces.
Many buildings feature inscriptions with the names of former owners, painted eyes of God, wrought-iron guild signs, and other historical remnants like coats of arms, inscriptions, columns, archways, and reliefs. It’s worth keeping an eye out for the many details that contribute to Getreidegasse’s unique charm.
