Brief information:
- What is the Residenzplatz & Residenzbrunnen? a magnificent square in the centre of the old town of the city Salzburg.
- Where is it located? Residenzpl. 7, 5020 Salzburg
- What is there to see? In the middle of the Residenzplatz stands the artistically designed Residenzbrunnen fountain, dating from the 17th century
General
The Residenzplatz, a particularly magnificent square in the heart of the old town of Salzburg. It is bordered by striking buildings, including the New residence with its carillon, the cathedral, the Old Residence and a closed row of town houses.
The story
During the reign of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, five squares were created, of which the Residence Square with its opulent baroque fountain is the largest and possibly the most beautiful of them. Fifty-five medieval buildings had to be demolished to create it. It was designed according to the mannerist designs of the Italian Vincenzo Scamozzi.
The Residenzplatz today
The Residenzplatz is often used as a venue for large sporting or music events. In September, the Rupertikirtag takes place here, while the Christmas market opens its doors during Advent.
Every year, shortly before the last week of July, a torch dance with various traditional groups from the region is performed on the square to mark the opening of the Salzburg Festival.
The Residenzplatz also has a special meaning for fans of the Hollywood film "The Sound of Music": In a famous scene, Mary and the children drive past the Residenz fountain singing as they take a carriage ride through the city.
The Residence Fountain
The Residence Fountain made of Untersberg marble was created between 1656 and 1661 on behalf of Archbishop Guidobald von Thun. It is theThe largest baroque fountain in Central Europe and was probably designed by Tommaso di Garona, with Antonio Dario serving as chief engineer.
The fountain consists of a lower basin with baroque decorations, surrounded by the coats of arms of Archbishop Guidobald von Thun. In the middle of the fountain there is a rock surrounded by four water-spouting sea horses (hippocampi) and four Atlases carrying a shallow water bowl in which three dolphins support another basin.
The top of the fountain depicts Triton blowing water into the air from a shell. This fountain was inspired by the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Rome and is known for its unique elements such as the hippocampi and atlases. It was originally intended to draw water from the Fürstenbrunner spring on the Untersberg, but later the Hellbrunner Sternweiher spring was used as the water source.
Nowadays, the fountain is connected to the Salzburg water supply network and receives its water mainly from the deep well near St. Leonhard.
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