Kajetanerplatz and Saint Maximilian Church

Why is it significant?

Step onto the cobblestones of Kajetanerplatz and feel the gentle, almost Italian piazza atmosphere of this historic southern square.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step onto the cobblestones of Kajetanerplatz and feel the gentle, almost Italian piazza atmosphere of this historic southern square. Dominating the eastern flank rises the monumental baroque facade of the Kajetanerkirche, dedicated to Saint Maximilian and completed between 1685 and 1697 by Giovanni Gaspare Zuccalli. The church and its adjacent cloister were built for the Theatine religious order, popularly known in Austria as the Kajetaner friars.

Enter the luminous nave and look up into the magnificent crossing dome adorned with swirling stucco and frescoes by Francesco Brenno. In the south transept chapel rests a faithful historic replica of the famous Scala Santa, or Holy Staircase, in Rome. Devout pilgrims for centuries have climbed its twenty-eight marble steps on their knees in solemn prayer, seeking absolution and spiritual comfort.

In medieval times, the outer Schanzl-Tor gatehouse stood at this square, guarding the southern approaches from Hallein. Following the secularization of the monasteries in the early nineteenth century, the city transferred the complex to the Brothers of Saint John of God to establish a public hospital that continues to provide compassionate healthcare today. The intricately crafted facade details and historic masonry continue to captivate historians and travelers alike. A thoughtful walk through these historic alleys reveals how masterfully Salzburg preserved its rich architectural heritage across centuries.

On Fridays, Kajetanerplatz fills with cheerful crowds for the traditional weekly farmers' organic market, offering fresh alpine cheeses, artisan sourdough bread, and mountain honey. The warm pastel facades of the encircling burgher townhouses create a wonderfully intimate urban salon. It stands as the serene southern portal where alpine Austrian tradition meets Italianate grace. Generations of Salzburg citizens have shaped this extraordinary site and passed its inspiring stories down to posterity. Throughout the neighboring streets, one can immediately sense the vibrant harmony between baroque tradition and cosmopolitan culture.

Walk northwest into the narrow, winding Pfeifergasse to discover the historic courtyard of the Chiemseehof.