Although Hagenau Square is probably one of the most famous squares in Salzburg, it usually receives no more than a sidelong glance. The endless stream of visitors come to see Mozart's Birthplace, which is officially located at Getreidegasse 9 but actually found on Hagenau Square. It was even known as the "Hagenauer House" for many years.
The buildings and their history
Hagenau Square marks the end of Getreidegasse and opens towards Salzburg through the Griestor. The "Obere Tränktor" was originally located in the city wall facing the Salzach, affording access to the Salzach ships and watering place for the animals. The building stock of the former "Wirtshaus zum Löchl" at Hagenau Square 2 dates back to the 16th century. The hinges for the former doors of the city gate are still preserved to this day. The small shops later established in this area often incorporated the Löchlbogen name, e.g. the Kaslöchl.
The building on the corner of Getreidegasse 8 / Hagenau Square was first documented in 1334, however its original building stock is certainly much older. The building is a dominant corner house, enlarged 1465 to 1480 to its present size when the city wall was moved towards the Salzach. The former building design resembling a fortress is still evident today. It is one of the most impressive burghers' houses from the late Middle Ages. The oriel reaching up to the third floor on Hagenau Square is particularly striking. Wolf Aichamber, the "Griespader" (the bath keeper at the Griesbad in the adjacent Griesgasse) lived here in 1681. The restaurant and hotel "zur Goldenen Krone" was located in the building from 1816 to 1917.
The Neptune Fountain stood on the square - where Salzburg's fish market was held - from 1599 to 1641. The fountain was relocated to the meat market known as "Fleischbänke auf dem Gries," today's Ferdinand Hanusch Square, in 1641.
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