Curious to know what lies south of Salzburg? Salzburg Süd awaits. This district’s name means “Salzburg South.” It hints at the area’s relatively recent development.
Salzburg Süd stretches from Inner Nonntal to Anif’s border. It is a narrow district divided into Josefiau, Herrnau, and Alpensiedlung. Around 11000 people call Salzburg Süd home.
Interestingly, just a century ago, this area was often flooded. It was mostly uninhabited forests. After the Salzach River was regulated in 1890, building began. Some Josefiau buildings date to the 1930s. Salzburg Süd mainly developed after World War II.
The Pfarrkiche Herrnau is Salzburg Süd’s spiritual center. It holds references to Eastern European refugees who settled here after the war. The area is now a middle-class neighborhood. Many dormitories serve students from Salzburg University. The university’s refounding in the 1960s spurred Salzburg Süd’s growth.
Alpenstraße is Salzburg Süd’s main road. It is lined with commercial and public buildings. Herrnau and Alpensiedlung feature shopping malls. You can find sports facilities and event venues here too. Alpenstraße contrasts with the tranquil Hellbrunner Allee nearby. Yet, Hellbrunner Allee enhances Salzburg Süd’s appeal as a place to live.
Salzburg Süd comprises three interconnected areas. These are Josefiau, Herrnau, and Alpensiedlung. Josefiau started growing around Josefiaustraße and Aspergasse after 1925. Herrnau and Alpensiedlung developed after 1950. “Salzburg Süd” is a modern name without historical roots.
All three areas arose from the Salzach’s floodplain. The Salzach River regulation around 1890 made settlement possible. The oldest part of Salzburg Süd is Josefiau. It grew near Aspergasse and Josefiaugasse between 1925 and 1935.
Alpensiedlung emerged after World War II from a former Wehrmacht camp. It is now one of Salzburg’s largest commercial areas. Herrnau’s settlement started near Schloss Herrnau between 1955 and 1960.
Alpenstraße is Salzburg Süd’s dominant traffic artery. With Ignaz-Harrer-Straße, it is Salzburg’s busiest road outside the autobahn. Alpenstraße becomes Hellbrunner Straße north of Nonntal. The ÖBB stop Salzburg Süd on the Giselabahn connects to Graz.
Since 1981, the Salzburg Süd landscape protection area covers around 12 km². It extends into Morzg, Anif, Grödig, Elsbethen, and Puch. Within Salzburg Süd, the protected area lies west of Herrnau. Several protected landscapes and natural monuments exist. However, none are within Salzburg Süd itself. Outside the protected area are the oaks on Faistauergasse. Also, there are protected parts of Hellbrunner Straße, Josefiau, and Hans-Sperl-Straße. Salzburg Süd blends urban life with natural spaces.