Salzburger Altstadt

The Salzburg Old Town on the right bank of the Salzach River is a district with Medieval and Baroque structures from several centuries. The narrow cobblestone streets, tall church spires, and multistory merchant houses form together a dense fabric of history that spreads across rolling terrain.

The district developed from the seat of a prince-archbishop into a place of European importance in the 1600s under Prince-Archbishop Paris Lodron. Its present appearance emerged through rebuilding and expansion according to plans by Italian architects who brought Baroque style to Salzburg.

The district contains numerous churches and monasteries that shaped people's lives over many centuries. The narrow lanes and richly decorated places of worship show how important faith was to the development of this area.

There are many pedestrian zones for exploring the area, and you can walk easily between different sections. Most stairs and narrow lanes can be difficult for people with mobility issues, so it helps to plan ahead which areas you want to visit.

A small chapel beneath a statue shows how religious devotion was woven into the daily street spaces. These details and the many hidden religious symbols are found throughout the district once you start noticing them.