Home to Salzburg’s first goldsmiths
Its name refers to the first goldsmiths that set up their businesses along the alley. Even today, it’s the perfect place to buy lovely – old and new – jewellery. There are also shops selling antiques, traditional costumes and hats, silk flowers, books, antique watches, pewter, furs, old coins, paintings, fine wines and oils, exclusive leather goods, artist’s tools, glasses and ceramics.
Houses along Salzburg’s Goldgasse
Take the Reitsamerhaus at Goldgasse 5. It was referred to as the ‘house on Sporergassen’ in 1424. It was here that French merchant Jean Fontaine received a licence to distribute coffee in 1700. Later, this café moved to the Old Market, where it’s now known as Café Tomaselli. The Hofgeigenmacherhaus, or Fragnerhaus, at Goldgasse 6 features a facade on the first floor with a miraculous figure from Altötting complete with an angel head from a Baroque panel dating back to the 17th century. The Hofbinderhaus at Goldgasse 9 features an eye-catching image depicting the crowning of Mary in a beautiful frame.
Some of the houses deserve a closer look
The Glockengießerhaus at number 12 was home to a number of bell founders from respected Salzburg families in the 17th and 18th centuries. The image on the front of the Glasererhaus at Goldgasse 16 shows the Holy Trinity with Saint Florian and Saint Sebastian.
The eaves of the Brucknerhaus at Goldgasse 11 feature a message that translate as ‘Come in and out with happiness, as happy people live here’.