St. Veit’s Main Square
St. Veit’s Main Square is narrow and rectangular (about 200 by 30 metres); it is encircled by stately houses, most of them three storeys high and with three to six structural axes. The square is a perfect example of medieval town planning with a largely intact ensemble of old buildings.
The well-balanced spatial design of the square is accentuated by three monuments: the plague column in the middle and two fountains, one in the centre of the eastern and one in the western half of the square. High gable roofs sloped towards the square (originally a series of butterfly roofs) dominate the image of the Main Square. Most of the facades of the houses, which nearly all date back to the Middle Ages, were renewed or changed in the 17th and 18th century or after the great fire of 1829.
The Main Square plays an important role in today’s town life. The medieval square is still the central meeting place for young and old. Year-in, year-out it serves as a venue for various events – from carnival processions, the blessing of willow branches on Palm Sunday and food blessing at Easter to sports events, concerts, festivals and the Christmas market
