Description of the attraction
The main square in the city of Linz on the southern bank of the Danube is considered the largest square in all of Austria. The size of the area is 13,200 square meters.
The main square has changed its name many times. Initially, a market was located on the square, as evidenced by documents from 1338, and the square itself was called Heybuhel. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was renamed the Main Square, and already in 1873 the square was named in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I. In the 20th century, the name was changed again - now the main place of the city was named Adolf Hitler Square: during the Second World War from one of the balconies overlooking the square, Hitler announced the annexation of Austria to Germany. Finally, in 1945, the squares returned to their former name - the Main Square.
Various seasonal fairs were held in the central square of the city, and this led to the fact that land prices around the square rose rapidly. Therefore, the buildings that surrounded the square were erected with narrow facades.
It was here on May 26, 1521, at the celebration of the marriage of Archduke Ferdinand and Anna of Hungary, significant for the Habsburg monarchy, that the famous Lozsteiner tournament took place.
Since 1716, there was a pillar of shame on the square, where demonstration executions were carried out. In 1723, a column of the Holy Trinity was erected in the middle of the square in honor of the city's victory over the plague epidemic. In addition, there is a pharmacy in the square, which was expanded in 1872. It is curious that one of its owners was Beethoven's younger brother, Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven.
Today, there are several important historical buildings in Linz on the main square and in the immediate vicinity. Due to the many fires, the city has changed several times, the facades have been restored, so some houses look younger than they really are. The Mayor of Linz currently resides in the Old Town Hall. The building was built in 1509, its octagonal tower has been preserved almost in its original form. Another interesting building is Feichtinger with its famous chimes.
