Quick Info:
- Where is Getreidegasse located? In the Salzburg Old Town
- What is there to see? Baroque buildings (e.g., Mozart’s Birthplace) and shops
- How long is it? Approximately 500 meters
- How much time should I plan? ½ hour. You can walk through it quite quickly unless you go shopping.
In General
Getreidegasse forms the bustling center of the Old Town of Salzburg and exerts a great attraction on numerous visitors, thanks to its unique charm and the historical Mozart’s Birthplace. In addition to well-known fashion chains, Getreidegasse fascinates with its traditional inns and unique shops that carry a long history within them. It is located in the pedestrian zone and stretches from Rathausplatz to Bürgerspitalstraße.
The Architecture Along Getreidegasse
The buildings along the street are characterized by their distinctive house entrances and the shrinking windows from the first floor upward. Often, the old buildings are adorned with years, the names of former residents, or the Eye of God. A special attraction is Mozart’s Birthplace at No. 9, where the prodigious child of Salzburg was born in 1756.
The Durchhäuser (Passageways)
The Durchhäuser, some of which are adorned with artworks and arcades, have left a lasting impact on the cityscape of Salzburg. Today, they serve as shopping passages and galleries. The most famous passageway is the Schatz-Haus, which leads from Getreidegasse 3 to Universitätsplatz.
The Street as a strolling and shopping paradise
It entices with its wide range of international fashion chains, traditional shops, and a diverse gastronomic scene. In addition to jewelry, traditional attire, trendy accessories, antiques, leather and paper goods, and perfumeries, shoppers in Getreidegasse can also purchase gourmet foods and groceries. A special highlight is the delicate and playful guild signs high above the heads of visitors, which are still handcrafted by the Wieber traditional blacksmith in Getreidegasse.
Shops: Swarovski, Douglas, Wagner, Tods, McDonald’s, Susanne Spatt Trachten, Trachten Wenger, Trachten Stassny, Benetton, H&M, Mango, Spar, and many more.
The Origin of the Name
Originally, Getreidegasse was called “Trabe-Gasse” or “Trab-Gasse.” This name derived from the word “traben,” which meant both “to run” and the trotting of horses. Over time, the name evolved from “Tragasse” through “Traidgasse” to “Getreidegasse,” as it is known today. These various name variations illustrate that the name “Getreidegasse” originally had nothing to do with grain.