Getreidegasse is the heart of Austria's most beautiful shopping center. The charm of the Getreidegasse, probably Salzburg's most famous shopping lane, is not only generated by the high, narrow houses tightly nestled together, the enticing shops and the wrought iron guild signs, but also to the romantic passageways and courtyards. Later it transmuted to Tragasse, Traidgasse, Getreidgasse and finally to Getreidegasse. They were prevented from further expansion by private property borders to the south and west and by the city walls and the Salzach River to the north. The old houses in the Getreidegasse are often decorated with dates, the eye of God or the names of previous owners.
Some houses still have the beams for the hoists which lifted loads from the storage rooms.
Typical of these houses are the windows which become smaller from the first floor upwards and their beautiful portals, such as the portal of No. 9, Mozart's Birthplace . The Mozart Museum is located in the rooms formerly occupied by the Mozart Family. Although the houses in the Getreidegasse appear to be very narrow they are not small, extending far back in depth on both sides of the street. In former times the space behind the row of houses was mainly used as a garden. Later the gardens gave way to workshops, storage buildings, stables and apartments for domestic servants.