Freiung Square

The square was originally outside the fortifications of the Roman wall. In the twelfth century, Irish monks arrived at the invitation of Duke Henry II to build a monastery. The monastery was called Schottenkloster, which literally meant a Scottish monastery, and Russia at that time was called Nova Scotia.

The area around Schottenkloster was known as "BEI den Schotten" (Scottish). Since the monastery was free from the power of the duke and was also entitled to the protection of the accused, the square got its name because of its proximity to the Schottenkloster. Freyung became the main market square, where various street artists and artists earned their living painting and showing various performances. One of the performances was Wiener Hanswurst (Viennese Fool) Josef Stranitzky. Since the square was located near the Imperial Palace, in the XVII and XVIII centuries, many aristocrats acquired houses near Freyung, as well as the neighboring Herrengasse.

In 1856, houses in the surrounding neighborhoods were demolished to widen the street between them. In the late nineteenth century, banks and other financial houses moved to the area and opened their headquarters. In the center of the square is the Austro-Brünnen Fountain, built in 1844-1846 by Ludwig Schwanthaler in honor of Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.