Getreidegasse

At one end: a sheer climb up, to a mountain of green and grey. At the other: a road that is swallowed by a building, before leaping across the Salzach River. And in between, a crowded corridor of ancient shops, busy boutiques and antique stores–all squeezed tightly beneath a narrow sliver of Salzburg's sky. Welcome to Getreidegasse, the merchant street that has had a thousand years of trade and barter echoing around its narrow alleys and iconic squares.

Now Getreidegasse (or Grain Lane) is one of THE tourist attractions of Salzburg. A place to come to admire the fabulous architecture, to marvel at the luxury goods displayed in the shop windows, and to watch the well-heeled set about their shopping. Jewellery, designer clothes, fine perfumes and stylish leather goods can all be had—if your bank balance is healthy enough. But it is the richly wrought adornments, hanging above each the shop, which attract the most attention.

The gilded-iron street signs of Getreidegasse are probably its pride and joy—ornately patterned symbols representing the shops they adorn, their bright colours out to grab your attention. You could call them the medieval equivalent of flashing neon signs, ever more exuberant as you walk down the street.

Getreidegasse started as a collection of merchant houses in medieval times. Merchants were keen to exploit the potential of this road, on an important route to Bavaria. Their narrow houses gradually filled up the gardens behind, forming the alleys and characterful arcaded courtyards you can explore today.

But it's not just about clever signs and high-class shopping here—this historic heart of the city is also known as the home of Mozart. Born at number 9 Getreidegasse, his house is preserved as a museum to the musical genius of Wolfgang Amadeus.

Many of the houses along the street date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and it has been home to charity bath-houses—and even the house of a concubine of one of its Prince Archbishop. Rich in history, as well as rich in retail, a stroll down Getreidegasse is a walk through Salzburg's fascinating heritage.