Riemerplatz

Affectionately referred to by the people of St. Pölten as "Ohrwaschlplatz" - is more than just a traffic junction in the old town: it tells history. And literally with an open ear.

A square with history

The origins of Riemerplatz date back to the early 13th century. Originally laid out as a market outside the city walls at the time, the square quickly developed into an important center. Initially the site of the wool market, it was used as a timber market from the 14th century onwards. However, the square was not given its current name until the 19th century - in reference to the Riemer trade (the manufacture of leather straps), which was once strongly represented here.

Historically interesting: this is where the borders of the four old districts of the city - Lederer-, Holz-, Markt- and Klosterviertel - meet and the city's major transport routes also cross at Riemerplatz: the former "Poststraße ins Reich" from Vienna to Linz and the trade route from Krems to the mountains.

Until 1930, Riemerplatz was the city's central traffic junction. The narrowest point of this thoroughfare was characteristically called the "sharp corner".

The open ear - art with a twinkle in the eye

A marble sculpture by sculptor Hein Mader has adorned the center of the square since 1988. Officially an art object in public space, the sculpture is popularly referred to as "the mayor's open ear" - a tongue-in-cheek homage to civic politics, but perhaps also an expression of typical Austrian humor.

Almost 180 years earlier, another eye-catcher stood in the same place: in 1810, a temporary triumphal arch was erected here to celebrate the passage of Archduchess Marie Louise on her way to her wedding to Napoleon Bonaparte. The special feature: The arch housed a hidden "Harmoniemusik" - a surprise baroque concert in the middle of the square.

Historic houses around the square

Riemerplatz is surrounded by important town houses with roots dating back to the Middle Ages:

• Riemerplatz 1: Originated from four individual houses, extensively rebuilt in the 17th century. The building was baroqueized around 1725 - presumably according to plans by Joseph Munggenast. It housed inns, served as a hostel for aristocratic guests and was the residence of Mayor Wilhelm Voelkl, during whose term of office important companies such as Voith, Glanzstoff and the ÖBB headquarters were established. A relief by Gertrude Hann (1930) commemorates Voelkl - it is located in Linzer Straße.
• Riemerplatz 2: This house was also extensively altered in the 17th century. During a later restoration, two portal jambs from the 16th century were uncovered.
• Riemerplatz 3: Possibly baroqueized by Mathias Munggenast, the building houses an integrated late Gothic house chapel, parts of which are now preserved in a doctor's surgery.
• Riemerplatz 4: Built on late Romanesque foundations. In 1954, a biforium window from the late Romanesque period was discovered here - now on display in the city museum. The façade dates from the High Baroque period and impresses with an ornately forged balcony.

Art in public space

In 2005, another work of art was installed between the houses at Riemerplatz 1 and 2: an iron sculpture in the shape of a spider's web, created by the St. Pölten artist Walter Berger as part of the Lower Austrian Art in Public Space project.

Today: a place with atmosphere

Today, Riemerplatz is a popular promenade in the old town - a place where past and present meet. Cafés, stores and events enliven the square. And if you listen very carefully, you might hear a faint whisper - from the open ear that still hears everything that is said in St. Pölten.