Residenzplatz is a large, stately square in the heart of the historic center of Salzburg

Salzburg

-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...

, Salzburgerland in Austria

Austria

Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Salzburg.

Location

The Residenzplatz is located in the historic center ('Altstadt') of Salzburg, close to the Salzburg Cathedral (Dom), the 'Mozartplatz', and the Hohensalzburg Castle.

The square is bordered by the 'Alte Residenz

Alte Residenz

The Alte Residenz was the city palace of the Archbishops of Salzburg in the Old Town of Salzburg.-Location:It lies in the historic center of Salzburg between Domplatz, Residenzplatz and Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse.-History:...

' to the west, the 'Neue Residenz' to the east, the Salzburg Cathedral (Dom) to the south and historic private houses ('Bürgerhäuser') to the north.

History

The Residenzplatz was built by the Archbishop of Salzburg Wolf Dietrich Raitenau

Wolf Dietrich Raitenau

Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau was Prince-Bishop of Salzburg from 1587 to 1612.-Biography:Raitenau was born at Hofen Castle in Lochau near Bregenz in Further Austria, the son of the Habsburg colonel Hans Werner von Raitenau and Helene von Hohenems, a niece of Pope Pius IV, sister of Markus Sitticus...

 in 1587, who also ordered the construction of the monastery

Monastery

Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...

 of the Salzburg Cathedral (Dom). As a result, a number of private hoses were demolished. A cemetery

Cemetery

A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...

 last used in the late 16th century was recently discovered underneath the Residenzplatz.

Fountain

Residenzbrunnen: In the middle of the square sits a grand baroque fountain, or 'Residenzbrunnen'. The fountain was executed by Tomasso di Garona between 1656 to 1661. It is made of marble, and it is considered the largest baroque fountain of Middle Europe.

Periodical events

• Open air cinema: Every summer in July and August the square is transformed into an open air cinema at the Residenzplatz. Typically, taped performances of the Salzburger Festspiele are shown.

See also

• Salzburg
  Salzburg
  -Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
  
  
• Salzburg (state)
  Salzburg (state)
  Salzburg is a state or Land of Austria with an area of 7,156 km2, located adjacent to the German border. It is also known as Salzburgerland, to distinguish it from its capital city, also named Salzburg...