Waagplatz
Waagplatz in the Salzburg historic district is located at the end of Judengasse and transitions seamlessly into Mozartplatz. As of the 15th century, this square functioned as a hay and bread market.
The name “Waagplatz” dates back to the time when the official scales of the city (“Waage”) stood in the middle of the square and were used to weigh out grain. If you go even farther back in history, you do come across accounts of public executions here as well. And it was not until the beginning of the 17th century that the public pillory was moved to the Griesgasse.
The Schafferhaus at Nos. 1a and 2 Waagplatz, with its two courtyard wings and a rear building, mainly dates back to the 16th century. The three-story arcades are particularly noteworthy. The facade we see today was built in 1860. It was also in this house that, on 3 February 1887, Salzburg poet Georg Trakl was born, the fifth of seven children. Today’s Traklhaus is home to a museum and memorial site dedicated to the famous poet.
The house at No.3 Waagplatz is thought to be the oldest courthouse in Salzburg, dating back to before 1328. The house was also used to store the city scales and continued to be owned by the city until 1815.
