For centuries, the prince-archbishops of Salzburg lived in the Old Residence, which served not merely as a luxurious place of residence, but also represented a symbol of power and political status. Far from all visitors who came here for an audience with the sovereigns were admitted to the princes' magnificent apartments.
Nowadays, the palace, which is located in the heart of the Old Town, is one of Salzburg's most impressive sights. By visiting the Old Residence, you will be able to see the exquisite rooms, the Carabinieri Hall covering 600 square meters, where lavish receptions for guests and dinners for 400 people once took place. The ceiling everywhere is adorned with valuable frescoes by Johann Rottmayr, and the floor is made of Adnet marble.
The most richly decorated room is the audience hall, where, in addition to works by Rottmayr, there are Brussels tapestries and a pendulum astronomical clock made by Jakob Bentele. Venetian mirrors, ceiling frescoes, crystal chandeliers made of smoky Bohemian glass, Baroque stucco with gilding, numerous paintings and other exclusive interior items leave no visitor indifferent.
Construction of the Old Residence began in 1232, when Archbishop Konrad I decided to settle here. In the 16th-17th centuries, the castle was rebuilt, some elements were added, and the building acquired its final appearance during the reign of Archbishop Wolf von Raitenau at the beginning of the 17th century.
