The Makartsteg is a bridge over the Salzach River in Salzburg′s city centre. It was named after the 19th century Historicist painter Hans Makart, who was born and raised in Salzburg. Makart became famous as a painter of the Viennese Historicism, providing artwork for many of the pompous buildings of the Ringstraße. The Makartsteg is open for pedestrians and cyclists only.The current bridge is Salzburg′s most modern bridge in the city centre and already the third Makartsteg. The first one was built in 1905 in Art Nouveau (Jugendstil). It was demolished in 1967, when the second Makartsteg was built. This second one became famous as the "swinging bridge" - if you stood still at the centre, you could feel it move. Rather strongly.We as locals that grew up in the area remember well how this caused great delight among us when we were children. The swing effect had not been intended by the architects in charge; and with some 20,000 pedestrians crossing the Makartsteg on an average day, the second bridge was soon in bad shape.
