Austria has launched its Christmas market season as Salzburg opened its long running market on Residenzplatz on Thursday. The event draws about one and a half million visitors each year and fills the old town squares with craft stalls, food stands and daily choirs.
Security is tighter this season. Police patrols have increased, a private team works around the clock and 33 cameras cover the site. The measures follow a trial that began on Wednesday against a young man accused of planning an attack on several Salzburg landmarks.
The market runs until 1 January and offers a full programme, from children’s choirs to nativity displays, folk dances and the setting in the UNESCO listed old town add to the atmosphere.
