Jewish presence in the land of Salzburg dates back to the 11th-12th century, but there is no proff of Jews living in the town of Salzburg 1282. The Judengasse, where most Jews lived till 1404, and the synagogue is mentioned for the first time in 1377.
A Jew named Isaak worked for the financial administration of the Archbishop. In 1404 more than 70 Jews lived in Salzburg. Special personal privileges were allowed for Gestlein and Zachreis (1346), granting them protection, freedom of settlement and travel, and redemption of taxes. In 1349, in the wake of the plague there were anti-Jewish persecutions in Salzburg. The German city of Regensburg tried to help refugees from Salzburg.
In 1404 all the local Jews were accused of desecration of the host and arrested. After forced confessions, they were burnt to death. The two main accused committed suicide; 25 children under 11 years old, two pregnant women and an adult man, willing to convert, were spared. Resettlement occurred from 1409; but the Jews they were expelled again in 1498.