Travel Guide to Innsbruck, Austria

Surrounded by picturesque mountains, Innsbruck became one of the most attractive cities in Austria. Every year the city and its mountain resorts are visited by more than 2 million people. It's so popular due to a wonderful combination of cultural, natural and sport sights. The best place for living is on the junction of the Inn River and the Sill River; the Romans knew it and founded Veldidena, on the place, where later Innsbruck was built.

Time passed and from an important medieval center of trade it turned into the capital city of the Tyrol. In Innsbruck you may a find a lot of marvelous building in the baroque style, most of which are located in the ancient part of the city. But Innsbruck is interesting not only for its center. Your attention deserves Alpine Zoo and the historical place, where in 1809 Andreas Hofer with the help of the peasants defeated the French and Bavarian occupants. Innsbruck is the best starting point for getting to know the Tyrol.

Duke Frederick Street. Duke Frederick Street is the main street in the ancient part of the city, some typical old alleyways side with it. There you can feel the atmosphere of baroque, but it's not the only architectural style there. Building number 15 in this street is the well-known symbol of Innsbruck – 'The Golden Roof'. This 16-meter bay window, covered with gilt brazen tile, which was attached to the Palace in 1500. It was done this way, so that the Kaiser could observe the life at the square. On one of the front there are the portrays of the curious Kaiser and his two wives.

Not far from there, near the Old City Hall (the 15th century) taker place the City Tower, which is 56 m tall. It was built in the 15th century and later was restores according the tastes of the 16th century. If you like style mixing you should visit Helblinghaus, which is situated from the other side of the street. Primordially it was built in the gothic style, but in the 18th century it was decorated in rococo.

Domplatz. At Domplatz takes place St. Jacob's Cathedral of the 18th century. In the 50s of the previous century the cathedral was restored, because of numerous damages after the war. Only after the restoration on the roof of the cathedral appeared the equestrian statue of St Jacob. The fabulous interior of the cathedral was created by bothers Asam, Cosmas Damian and Egid Kwirin, who were in charge of the fresco and sculpture.

The Hofburg. The Hofburg is a princely residence of the 15th century. Three centuries later Maria Theresia spent a pretty sum of money on great reconstruction of the Hofburg. This way the baroque wing was added, the outlook of the front, a rococo interior appeared and the fabulous garden was also created then, by the way, it is still opened for visitors. In the street, named in favor of Maria Therezia, takes place the old Landhouse in late baroque style. There the government of the Tyrol used to have their meetings.

The Ferdinandeum Museum. In the Ferdinandeum Museum the Tyrol collection of the National Museum is kept. The section 'Art' contains not only the masterpieces by such world-famous people as Rembrandt and Breughel, but also the works by modern Austrian artists, for example, Klimt and Kokoschka. 'The Patriotic Hall' is devoted to the times of Andreas Hofer. Another collection that deserves your attention is located in the Hofkirche, which is situated in front of the Hofburg. It was built by the order of Ferdinand I, so as to turn it into the tomb of Kaiser Maximilian I. Actually, the tomb is placed in the Hofkirche, but it's empty. The relics of Maximilian I are kept in the Hoistadt in Vienna. But nevertheless there are a lot of other things that are worth looking at: they are the portraits of different famous people of the 18th century and the pictures in memory of Andreas Hofer (1767-1810) and the war for independence he waged. But the most famous sight in the Hofkirche is the Silver Chapel, built by Ferdinand II, which served as the place, where his wives were buried. The burial place of the duke is also there. Its name the cathedral got due to the image of Maria on the altar.

The Ambras Castle. On the outskirts of the city you may find the Ambras Castle, which used to be the residence of the Tyrol government. In the 16th century on this place were built two united castles: one – upwards and the other – downwards. They were connected by the hall, created in late Renaissance style. For those, who are fond of art, it would be very interesting to visit the gallery with the portraits of the Habsburgs, among which there are some works by Rubens.

Bergisel. One of the most popular out of town places is Bergisel Mountain. In 1809 the peasant army of Andreas Hofer defeated French and Bavarian invaders. At those times the Tyrol was under the rule of the Bavarian, who were the allies of Napoleon. The statue of this national hero and the museum reminds us about that war for independence. Being in Bergisel area, you should visit the Alpine Zoo (one can get there by the funicular), where you can look at more than 150 species of animals.

Read more about Innsbruck:
Restaurants and cuisine in Innsbruck
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Innsbruck
Nightlife and attractions in Innsbruck
Preparing for Innsbruck: Advices
Innsbruck photogallery