The Stadtplatz runs along the river Steyr between the castle and the parish church. Its houses were rebuilt and re-fronted over the centuries, many of them after the town fire of 1727, which is why Gothic gables, Renaissance arcades and Baroque façades stand side by side.
The Bummerlhaus
Steyr’s best-known house stands at Stadtplatz 32. It is first documented in 1450, its core probably goes back to the 13th century, and its late-Gothic façade is dated 1497, commissioned by Hans Prandtstetter. Since 1964 it has belonged to a bank, and the ground floor is a banking hall.
The town hall
The town hall was built between 1765 and 1778 to plans by Johann Gotthard Hayberger, who was himself mayor and city judge. It is counted among Austria’s most important Rococo buildings. In Advent, brass musicians play from its balcony. The city administration and the tourist office are at the same address, Stadtplatz 27.
Sternhaus, Schuberthaus and Leopoldibrunnen
- Sternhaus (Stadtplatz 12): rebuilt with a late-Baroque façade after the fire of 1727; a golden star held by two eagles hangs over the door, and angel figures represent the five senses.
- Schuberthaus (Stadtplatz 16): Franz Schubert stayed here during his visits of 1819, 1823 and 1825. More about Schubert in Steyr.
- Leopoldibrunnen: the Baroque fountain topped by Saint Leopold, around which the Advent village is set up.
- Marienkirche (Stadtplatz 41): the former Dominican church. See the churches.
Sources: Wikipedia (Bummerlhaus) · Upper Austria Tourism (town hall) · Upper Austria Tourism (Sternhaus) · Wikipedia (Steyr)