Getreidegasse Salzburg | © Tourismus Salzburg

Old-established businesses in Salzburg

Past and present go hand in hand in the beautiful Mozart town. Living tradition is evident on every corner – for example in the many old-established businesses that have carefully carried their centuries-old history through to the present. Join us on an exciting journey through Salzburg's history.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow: tradition over centuries

The rays of the midday sun dance across the artistically forged guild signs of the shops as we stroll through the Getreidegasse. The signs above the town houses indicate the goods on offer in each shop. They date from a time when there were no house numbers and not everyone could read. Hence, the town's most famous street cannot hide its medieval heart – and it has no need to – just as its many old-established businesses, strung together here like pearls on a necklace.

From the early modern sweet-wine shop to the deli

One of them is Salzburg's oldest delicatessen shop, R.F. Azwanger. In 2015, Sisters Andrea Glück-Kopp and Valerie Egelkraut-Kopp took over the business, which has been family-run since 1919. The history of R.F. Azwanger is, of course, much older. It goes back to the year 1656, when the first mention was made of a factor's shop and sweet wine trade. In 1779, the wealthy merchant Raimund Felix Azwanger seized the opportunity and bought the house at Getreidegasse 15, thus laying the foundation for today's company, whose well-stocked range – around 6,000 products from wine to delicacies – is known far beyond the borders of the country. In 2021, R.F. Azwanger celebrates its 365th anniversary.

The Historic: Old Prince-Archbishop's Court Pharmacy

Just a few steps away, at Alter Markt 6, is an even older Salzburg institution: the Alte Fürst-Erzbischöfliche Hofapotheke [Old Prince-Archbishop's Court Pharmacy]. Founded in 1591, it is the oldest pharmacy still in existence in Salzburg – exactly 430 years in 2021. The guild sign on the façade shows the staff of Asclepius, and the shutters are artistically painted with medicines. History also comes alive inside: the rococo furnishings of the pharmacy, which are still preserved to this day, the prescription table with a wrought-iron grille as a scale holder or the various wooden and pewter vessels on the shelves bear witness to the long history. Incidentally, the Hofapotheke has been family-run for generations: the granddaughter of Leo Biskup, who bought the Hofapotheke in 1923, still manages the historic pharmacy together with her two daughters.

More than just smoke and mirrors: the tobacconist in the Ritzerbogen

We pass the small but mighty tobacconist in the Ritzerbogen near the Grünmarkt on our walk. The tiny shop, which was run by the legendary Johanna Maria Sedelmaier [most prominent Austrian lyric poet of the 19th century] (1811 - 1853), has been in existence since 1811, and thus for 210 years in 2021. On five square metres and in two humidors, friends of cigarettes, pipes and cigars will find everything their hearts desire – including rare cigar from Cuba or Nicaragua.

Old Austrian coffee-house culture since 1866: Café Sacher

The "Sacher" on the right bank of the Salzach river is a real institution. Founded in 1866 as the "Hotel d'Autriche", it experienced a chequered history until 1988, when the owner of the Hotel Sacher in Vienna fell in love with the building and bought it. Since 2000 it has officially borne the name Hotel Sacher Salzburg. One thing has never changed in all these years: the Sacher with its red upholstery and white polished lacquer is a magical attraction for artists, coffee drinkers and guests from all over the world. In 2021, the Sacher celebrates 155 years of existence – but the 'grande dame' certainly doesn't look it.

When the Augustinian monks brewed beer

Salzburg has a long tradition of beer brewing. As early as 1621, Augustinian monks began brewing golden barley brew at the foot of the Mönchsberg. In 2021 - exactly 400 years later - the Bräustübl is the largest beer restaurant in Austria. More than 5,000 m2 of space is available inside the building, and a further 1,400 seats are available in the legendary beer garden, where we enjoy a mug of the hand-brewed beer under old chestnut trees. We pick up the corresponding culinary delicacies – from cheese to Steckerlfisch [grilled fish on a stick] – at one of the stands in the deli aisle.

Rich in tradition, rich in history

Salzburg is so rich in old-established businesses that it is impossible to list them all here. After all, businesses such as the Erlach butcher's shop in Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021, the legendary Salzburger Würstelkönigin [lit. sausage queen] at the Marko-Feingold-Steg, running for 70 years, or the Salzburger Heimatwerk at Residenzplatz 9, in existence since 1946, are true old-established Salzburg businesses with a history. There are many more in the Mozart town, and many more will follow. That's the beauty of our town, steeped in tradition – the stories never run out.