The residents of Salzburg have long been known by the nickname “Bull Washers”. This name dates back to an old legend:
Many centuries ago, the city was besieged by an enemy army. Since the attackers could not capture Salzburg, they sought to starve the residents into surrender.
Eventually, only a single bull remained in the city—a powerful, brown-spotted animal. In their desperation, the city commander and the people of Salzburg devised a ruse:
Early in the morning, they drove the bull onto the fortress wall and presented it to the besiegers to feign strength.
The following night, they painted the animal white and showed it again the next morning. On the third day, they led the same bull—now painted black—over the wall once more.
The besiegers then believed that Salzburg had large reserves of livestock and food, and that their efforts were in vain. One dark night, they secretly withdrew.
Great jubilation then broke out in the city. The citizens led the bull to the Salzach River and washed him until his original brown-spotted color reappeared.
Since that time, the people of Salzburg have been called “Bull Washers”.