What it is
Villach grew up at an ancient crossing of the Drau, and the Hauptplatz follows the old road from the bridge into the town. Many of its houses have medieval cores behind later facades, and the Paracelsushof recalls the physician Paracelsus, who spent his youth in Villach, where his father worked as a doctor. A Trinity column stands in the middle of the square.
The square is the centre of the town's big events, above all the Villacher Kirchtag in early August, one of the largest folk festivals in Austria, and the Villach carnival.
Getting there by bus
Freihausplatz, Lederergasse and Gerbergasse, just off the square, are served by most city bus lines, including 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 and M2. Villach Hauptbahnhof, the main station, is across the Drau, about ten minutes' walk away.
The Drau promenade and the boat landing stage for river cruises are at the bottom of the square.
