INNSBRUCK TRAVEL
GENERAL INFORMATION-Innsbruck is the capital city of the federal state of Tyrol (Tirol) in western Austria. It is an internationally renowned winter sports centre and hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics (it is with St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York are the only places where they have twice hosted the Winter Olympic) as well as the 1984 and 1988 Winter Para Olympics. It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships. Innsbruck hosted the first Winter Youth Olympics in 2012. The "largest ski resort in the Alps". It is located both close to Munich and northern Italy. Several ski resorts are situated inside the city territory or within short distance. The word bruck comes from the same root as the modern German word "Brücke" meaning "bridge" which leads to "the bridge over the Inn".
HISTORY-In the 4th century the Romans established the army station Veldidena at Innsbruck. Innsbruck became the capital of all Tyrol in 1429 and in the 15th century the city became a centre of European politics and culture as Emperor Maximilian I also resided in Innsbruck in the 1490s. In 1564 Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria received the rulership over Tirol and other Further Austrian possessions administrated from Innsbruck up to the 18th century. The Habsburgian dynasty ruled in Innsbruck with an independent court. During the Napoleonic wars Tyrol was ceded to Bavaria, ally of France. After the Vienna Congress Austrian rule was restored. Until 1918, the town was part of the Austrian monarchy. It became wealthy by the salt trade.
GEOGRAPHY-It is located in the Inn Valley at the junction with the Wipptal (Sill River), which provides access to the Brenner Pass. Located in the broad valley between high mountains, the Nordkette (Hafelekar, 2,334 metres) in the north, Patscherkofel (2,246 m) and Serles (2,718 m) in the south.
AREA-104.91Km2
POPULATION-1, 21,329
ELEVATION-1883 feet.
TIME ZONE-UTC +1 Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-Due to altitude and position in Central Europe far from the coast, Innsbruck has a
Continental Climate .Winter is cold and snowy. Summer days are hot and summer nights are cool and temperatures often drop quickly after sunset, sometimes falling below 10°C in early morning.The temperature is as follows-
POPULATION-1, 21,329
ELEVATION-1883 feet.
TIME ZONE-UTC +1 Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-Due to altitude and position in Central Europe far from the coast, Innsbruck has a
Continental Climate .Winter is cold and snowy. Summer days are hot and summer nights are cool and temperatures often drop quickly after sunset, sometimes falling below 10°C in early morning.The temperature is as follows-
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Max 4 6 11 15 20 23 25 24 21 16 8 4
Min -4 -3 1 4 8 11 13 13 10 5 0.5 -3
Max 4 6 11 15 20 23 25 24 21 16 8 4
Min -4 -3 1 4 8 11 13 13 10 5 0.5 -3
AIRPORT- Innsbruck Airport (IATA: INN), also Kranebitten Airport, is the largest airport in Tyrol in western Austria. It is located approximately 2.5 miles from the centre of Innsbruck. It handles regional flights around the Alps, as well as seasonal international flights to other destinations. During the winter, activity increases significantly, due to the high number of skiers travelling to the region. It is the main base of Welcome Air and Tyrolean Airways. Innsbruck Airport is well known for having a difficult approach due to surrounding terrain, prohibiting certain aircraft types from operating at the airport. The approach and descent is a very complicated process—the Alps create vicious winds and currents, which the pilot has to deal with throughout the process. Because there are mountains all around, the plane usually circles the airport, enters a pattern, to decrease both speed and altitude. Currently regular scheduled flights are available from Austrian Airlines from Vienna, Lufthansa from Frankfurt. Seasonal flights are available from several destinations in the UK, the Netherlands as well as from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Kiew and Moskow. There are also charter flights to several German cities - especially in winter. Munich Airport, 2.5 hours away, is another alternative. There are vans that will meet you at the Munich Airport and take you directly to your lodging in or around Innsbruck for the price of a comparable train ticket. The bus line F will take you to the city centre (every 15 minutes / on Sunday it departs every 30 minutes). Cost €1, 90 .Other nearby Airports include Munich (107mi), Salzburg (114mi).
INNSBRUCK SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-ALTSTADT (OLD TOWN) –The old town of Innsbruck is the most charming part of the city. The buildings are in Baroque and Renaissance style. Narrow arcades and lanes radiate from the main square and these are lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, including the famous Swarovski crystal shop. The Old Town's centrepiece is the Goldenes Dachl, a glittering Gothic oriel built for Emperor Maximilian I with copper tiles. Nearby, is Hapsburg Majesty in the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Hofkirche where Dürer's King Arthur statue solemnly guards the emperor's empty tomb. Universitätstrasse serves world flavours from Italian to Indian. Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse is one the most beautiful roads of the Altstadt (old town) of Innsbruck.
002-GOLDENES DACHL (GOLDEN ROOF) – The Golden Roof is a landmark in Innsbruck. The building that bears the Goldenes Dachl was constructed by Archduke Friedrich IV in the early fifteenth century as the residence of the Tyrolean sovereigns. Built in 1500, the roof is decorated with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Emperor Maximilian I .The building was the residence of Tirolean Emperors. It is a three story balcony constructed for Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) to serve as a royal box where he could sit in a state and enjoy tournament in the square below. The Goldenes Dachl was built in honour of Maximilian's third marriage, to Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan around 1500AD, also in order to defeat the rumours regarding the imperial financial difficulties. It is on Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse. It is 16m wide and 3.7m high balcony roof .Below the fringe of the roof there are reliefs of Emperor Maximilian I with his wife Maria Binaca Sforza and Maria Burgund. Since January 2003, the Goldenes Dachl has housed the International Alpine Convention's Office. A museum, the Maximilianum, is also contained in the building as well as the Innsbruck City Archives.
003-KAISERLICHE HOFBURG (IMPERIAL PALACE) – The Imperial Palace at Innsbruck and the Capital of the Alps, once was the seat of the Tyrolean sovereigns until the end of their rule at the end of WWI. It is located at the east entrance of the historic district. It was built by Archduke Sigmund the Rich around 1460, then it was rebuilt in 1754-1773 on orders of Empress Maria Theresa .The Palace has domed towers and has four wings of two-story high and painted with white and gold and filled with portraits of the Habsburgs .The Imperial Apartments consists of 25 state apartments dating from 18th and 19th century. In the visit see Giant Hall with length of 30 m, featuring portrait of Maria Theresa and husband, Guard Hall and the Heraldic Tower. The huge Gothic Cellar below the Palace is included in tours and it can even be rented by the public for special events. The renovations have also made the Hofburg a more comfortable environment for tourists who wish to experience the splendours of the past with the conveniences of the modern day. The exterior is magnificently lighted at night making the Hofburg shine like a jewel against the backdrop of Innsbruck’s majestic mountain scenery.
004- HOFKIRCHE (IMPERIAL COURT CHURCH) - The Hofkirche (Court Church) is a Gothic church located in the Old Town. The church was built in 1553 by Emperor Ferdinand I (1503–1564) as a memorial to his grandfather Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519), whose cenotaph within boasts a remarkable collection of German Renaissance sculpture. The church also contains the tomb of Andreas Hofer, Tyrol's national hero. Emperor Maximilian's ornate black marble cenotaph occupies the centre of the nave. Its construction took more than 80 years. The decoration by 24 bronze relief of trophies includes vases, suits of armour, weapons, shields, musical instruments, etc, and above that two rows of white marble reliefs. The cenotaph is surrounded by 28 large bronze statues (200–250 cm) of ancestors, relatives and heroes. The Hofkirche is located at Universitätsstraße 2, adjacent to the Imperial Palace (Kaiserliche Hofburg), in the Old Town. The church consisting of three naves with a setback three-sided choir, round and pointed arch windows and a steep broken hip roof .A side chapel, called the Silver Chapel (Silberne Kapell) and was consecrated in 1578. It contains a silver altar to Mary incorporating three elephant tusks and three hundred kilos of ebony, and the tombs of Archduke Ferdinand II and his wife Philippine Welser—both by Alexander Colyn.
005-HELBILIGHAUS (HELBLING HOUSE) - The building was named after Sebastian Helbling, the owner of the building from 1800 to 1827. It is located opposite to the Golden Roof .The Helbling House was first built in the 15th century but evolved greatly with new architectural designs. The Baroque facades and Gothic style of the 15th and 16th century shaped the building, originally townhouses but the Rococo decorations of bows, windows, masks, sculptures and shells, added in the 1700's, helped bring it all together.
006-GOLDEN EAGLE-Nearby the Helbinghaus in Old Town is the Goldener Adler(Golden Eagle) ,one of the oldest inns in the city .This building has been visited by Emperors and musicians in the past.
007-OTTOBURG- At the western end of the Herzog-Friedrich Strasse, on the banks of Inn, is the Ottoburg, a residential tower of 1494 with four oriel windows . For centuries the Ottoburg has been housing an excellent restaurant and wine bar. Worth visiting are the different rooms. Sculptor Christian Plattner's two statues in front of the Ottoburg depict a father and son in commemoration of the wars against the French army under Napoleon in 1809.
008-TRIUMPHAL ARCH - The Triumphpforte, also commonly known as Triumphal Arch, is one of Austria's treasured gems. Built in 1765, though Innsbruck has that old town charm, the Triumphpforte is grand. The Triumphpforte was originally commissioned to commemorate the matrimony of her son, the Duke of Tuscany by Empress Maria Theresa. The Duke of Tuscany, who would eventually be known as Emperor Leopold II, was to wed Princess Maria Ludovica from Spain. One side of the arch expresses happiness through a series of detailed marble reliefs and the joy of marriage, while the other side grieves over the death of Emperor Franz Stephan, husband of Empress Maria Theresa, who died during the wedding celebrations.
009-ST. ANNA'S COLUMN - This column was erected on St. Ann’s Day in July 1703 to commemorate the historic liberation of the region from Bavarian troops during the Spanish War of the Succession. The column was built in a convenient, highly trafficked area of town on Maria-Theresien Street .Its towering presence boasts a red marble column with a Corinthian style. While the statue’s name is derived from the day the column was dedicated, a statue of St. Mary stands on top of the column. Angelic cherubs surround the central area of the column and the base of the statue is surrounded by statues of Saints George, Ann, Kassian and Vigilus.
010- CITY TOWER-The tower is an important historical landmark in the Old Town district, which once served as part of the old city hall. Located on the main square, the structure was a medieval symbol that embodied the city’s wealth. It was a visible testament that Innsbruck was willing to defend the rights and interests of its citizens as well. The town hall and its tower were the seat of local political activities for centuries, which provided a voice for its citizens. Standing more than 150-feet tall, the six-story base contains quarters for the watchmen as well as prisoners who were housed in the building. A series of 148 steps lead to a viewing deck, which provides sweeping views of the city and the resplendent Nordkette mountain range.Sundials embellish the façade of the base just below the viewing platform and wrought-iron gargoyles channel water away from the building. Capped with an onion-shaped dome, the spire houses the watchtower’s lantern. Completed in 1450, the Innsbruck City Tower once served as an observation point for sentries who announced the hours of the day. The guards also maintained civic order at night and monitored the city for fires, hostile intruders and other dangerous situations. Innsbruck assigned the first sentries to the tower in 1529 and discontinued the watch program 438 years later in 1967.
011 - CATHEDRAL ST. JAMES - The Cathedral of St. James, which is located near the Hofburg Palace in the Old City. The church is one of the most significant religious sites in Austria. This church was rebuilt in 1717-1724 at the remnants of the earlier church. It is roofed with three domes and has a baroque interior. It is a fine example of Baroque architecture that embodies the prestige of the Hapsburg dynasty. The exterior façade consists of Quaternary breccia’s, which was deposited by retreating glaciers and it was quarried from the slopes of the mountains across the River Inn. One tower contains a large clock that is more than 300 years old. Since 1982, the second tower has housed a 48-bell carillon, which is the largest in Austria.
012-AMBRAS CASTLE-Ambras Castle is a Renaissance castle and palace located in the hills above Innsbruck, Austria. Considered one of the most popular tourist attractions of the city, Ambras Castle was built in the sixteenth century on the spot of an earlier tenth-century castle, which became the seat of power for the Counts of Andechs. The cultural and historical importance of the castle is closely connected with Archduke Ferdinand II and served as his residence from 1563 to 1595 .The lower castle was planned and constructed by the Archduke as a museum for his various collections .The Lower Castle contains two rooms of armour from the late fifteenth century, including several suits made for Archduke Ferdinand himself. The Lower Castle's first floor contains a valuable art collection. Above the Lower Castle is the Spanish Hall, which contains an intricate wood-inlay ceiling and walls adorned with 27 full-length portraits of the rulers of Tyrol. The Upper Castle contains an extensive portrait gallery featuring paintings of numerous members of the House of Habsburg .The modern Ambras Castle was built by Archduke Ferdinand II (1529–1595), the second son of Emperor Ferdinand I. When he was made provincial sovereign of Tyrol in 1565, for his untitled wife Philippine Welser (1527–1580), whom he had married in secret. Ferdinand II prepared his residence in the Upper Castle, beneath which he constructed one of the most artistically important halls of the late Renaissance—known as the Spanish Hall since the nineteenth century. In 1589, he added an additional building west of the Lower Castle for the purpose of housing his collection of weaponry. Ambras Castle was used as the official residence of Philippine as well as a place for Ferdinand II to house his collection of weapons, suits of armour, portraits, natural objects, as well as rarities and precious objects. In 1855, Archduke Karl Ludwig, then governor of Tyrol, had the palace remodelled to use as a summer residence. In 1919, following the dissolution of the Austria-Hungary Empire, Ambras Castle became the property of the Republic of Austria. In 1950, the Kunsthistorisches Museum took over the administration of the castle and its collections. The Upper Castle, the oldest part of Ambras Castle, contains the "Habsburg Portrait Gallery". About 300 portraits from the 15th to the 19th century are displayed .Because of the various dynastic relations, the collection also shows members of other European dynasties.
013-TROYLEAN FOLK ART MUSEUM -The Tyrolean State Museum (Ferdinandeum) was founded in 1823 by the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum Society. This museum was established in 1929.The focus is on the arts and crafts, masks and traditional dresses. It is located in the Historic district and next to the church .The Tyrolean State Museum comprises seven collections. In addition, the Museum in the Armoury (historic and technical collection of the cultural history of Tyrol) and the natural history collection also belong to the Ferdinandeum.
014 - FERDINANDEUM INNSBRUCK-It was founded in 1823 and named after Franz Ferdinand .This museum comprises seven collections. It is at Museums Strasse Road.
015-MARIA-THERESIEN –STRASE (MAIN STREET)-The Old Town was enclosed by a circular wall and only be entered via the St. Jorgen gateway .On this road are-St. Anne’s Column, Chapel of St. George and Triumphal Arch and Kaufhaus Tyrol and Rathauspassagen shopping precincts. The north end is fully pedestrianized while the south end has wide pavements. It is a perfect place for stroll with café’s and outdoor restaurants and splendid buildings. It stretches from the Triumphal Arch to the Old Town.
016-HERZOG-FRIEDRICH-STRASE-Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse is one the most beautiful roads of the Altstadt (old town) of Innsbruck. Herzog-Friedrich Strasse as it is in the same axis as the avenue Maria-Theresien Strasse as it crosses the whole historical centre and it is flanked with beautiful buildings. The Old Town’s “Main Street”, it expands to a square in front of the Golden Roof. Especially, this street used to reach the heart of the historic district 'of Innsbruck. It was built in the thirteenth century. The framework is particularly conducive to daydreaming, it feels like a fairy tale. Moreover, from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, created the arches to enlarge homes without reducing the size of the street. However, here is a list of gems. First, at No. 10, is the Helbling home which subtly Gothic and Rococo. Then, at No. 21, stands the old town of Innsbruck, dating from the fourteenth century. It is easily visible to the tower that overlooks part of the district. It is also possible to have access to a beautiful view of the city. Finally, at No. 31, the inn Weisses Kreuz delight music lovers. It was here that Mozart stayed in 1769.
017- HOFGARTEN (IMPERIAL COURT PARK)-The Hofgarten (Court Garden) is a protected park located on the edge of the Old Town. The park covers an area of 25 acres and borders on the Imperial Hofburg, the Kongresshaus and the Tyrolean State Theatre. It was built by Empress Maria Theresa from a waterlogged meadow into a garden. During its 600-year history, it was turned into a Renaissance garden, a French formal garden and, since 1858, an English landscape garden. Hofgarten was originally solely for the pleasure of Austrian royalty and their guests. Guests to the garden will be impressed by the stunning landscapes set against the mountains visible on the horizon. The elegantly landscaped flowerbeds and rolling green lawns are intertwined with pathways that invite a leisurely stroll. Benches surround the peaceful ponds that are inhabited by ducks, and several species of Alpine birds live in the old trees. The Hofgarten is a recreation area within the Old Town with an interesting and varied stock of mature trees, a set of ponds, a modern children's play park, a palm house and a popular garden restaurant .The Tyrolean Art Pavilion in the middle of the park dates back to 1733. Today, the pavilion supports numerous events—mainly concerts. Chess tournaments are played on the outsize chess boards next to the pavilion. There is a lawn for sunbathing in the Hofgarten with a children's play park. The palm house contains a comprehensive collection of about 1,700 species of plant, which may be viewed mostly on working days. A monument to Archduke Eugene was erected by the front entrance to the garden in 1957.
018- ALTE INNBRÜCKE-The Inn River meanders through three northern European countries on its way to the Black Sea. The river crossing has been an important part of a trade route through the Brenner Pass for centuries. Known as Alte Innbrücke (which means Inn’s Bridge), the wooden bridge was constructed in the late 11th century. The modern structure that spans the river today is known as the Old Bridge (Alte Innbrücke) because it occupies the same location as the historic bridges that preceded it. A crucifix with Christ on the cross is prominently positioned on the bridge near the keeper’s home, which continues a tradition from the Middle Ages.
019-INN RIVER-Numerous small towns have developed along the banks of the river, including towns that are the birthplaces of Pope Benedict XVI and Adolf Hitler. The most heavily populated town that it runs through is Innsbruck, Austria.This river is a tributary for the Danube. Travelers visiting the city during the warmer months of the year will love spending time on the Inn River. Innsbruck literally means “bridge over the Inn River,” and this illustrates the importance of the city’s location on the river. The river provided the city’s early residents with a convenient method of transportation, and it also provided access to the Black Sea via the Danube River for trade and commerce.
020- NORDKETTE CABLE CAR (NORDKETTE)-The Nordkette cable car offers one of the best ways to view the majestic Nordkette Mountain range in Innsbruck. Within just a twenty-minute ride from the Old Town, you can make the fascinating journey from the commercial centre of Innsbruck to the top of this rugged mountain range. Perhaps nowhere else in the world is there such a fine line between a rustic mountain area and a sophisticated urban area .After reaching the top of the 1,000-feet Hungerburg station, you will be able to look down and take in a breath-taking view of the town of Innsbruck. Beyond the sheer beauty of the view, perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this summit is the fact that it is cloud-free most of the year. Board the cable car Seegrube, and you can travel an additional 6,250 feet within just a few minutes. From that point, you can take in fabulous views of Middle Inn Valley, Zillertal Valley Alps, the Stubai and the Wipptal Valley. In fact, from this vantage point, you can actually see into Italy. If you wish to travel even higher to the 7,401-feet Hafelekar. From here, you can enjoy the opportunity to experience a highly populated valley contrasted by the wilderness Karwendel Alpine Park.
021 -BERGISELSCHANZE- (BERGISEL SKI JUMP)-It is a point of breath-taking views of Innsbruck as well as the fascination of a ski jumping venue. The Bergisel is a hill (746 m) that lies to the south of Innsbruck, Austria, in the area of Wilten, where the Sill River meets the Inn Valley. The main tower accommodates a restaurant, viewing terrace and the ski jump starting ramp. Athletic visitors can climb the 455 steps to the main tower, but it can be reached more comfortably in just a few minutes by funicular then a visitor lift which takes you up the tower to the café and restaurant and the panoramic viewing platform, which offers a 360 degree view of the Tirol’s mountain scenery. The Bergisel can be reached by the Stubaitalbahn from Innsbruck, exiting at Station Sonnenburgerhof, or by the Tram 1, at Station Bergisel.
022-OLYMPIA SKIWORLD-With its Olympia Ski World the Innsbruck skiing region is ranked among the top winter sports resorts in the Alps. Perfectly situated right in the heart of the Alps, all skiing regions of the OLYMPIA SKIWORLD INNSBRUCK are within easy reach and offers to visitors an extremely wide variety of sporting activities, geared to the demands of modern winter sports enthusiasts .The OLYMPIA SKIWORLD INNSBRUCK are paradise on earth for skiers, snowboarders, carvers, deep-snow enthusiasts and cross-country skiers, offering everything winter sports lovers could possibly long for ,with gentle slopes for beginners, steeper ones for advanced skiers, formidable challenges for experts, cool runs for snowboarding enthusiasts and free riders. The name of this ski carousel is based on the fact that in 1964 and 1976, the Olympic Winter Games were staged in skiing areas in the surroundings of Innsbruck. Today the Olympia Ski World Innsbruck provides a great variety in slopes, a total of 300 km, as well as 90 lift facilities. The Olympia Ski World is all in one, providing a glacier skiing area, the highest-located winter sports resort of Austria, family-friendly skiing areas and Olympic ski runs. All single skiing areas are accessible with one ski-pass. Night-time skiing on illuminated slopes is offered in the Patscherkofel, Kühtai and Rangger Köpfl skiing areas. Moreover there is a free shuttle service from Innsbruck to the different skiing areas. Nine skiing areas make up this ski carousel- the Glungezer skiing area at Tulfes, the Stubai Glacier skiing area, the Schlick 2000 skiing area in the Stubaital valley, the Kühtai skiing area in Kühtai, is the highest-located winter sports resort of Austria, the Axamer Lizum skiing area, the family-friendly Oberperfuss - Rangger Köpfl skiing area, the small Muttereralm skiing area, the Olympic skiing area Patscherkofel and finally the skiing area at the Nordkette, which can directly be reached from Innsbruck.
023-SWAROVSKI CRYSTALL WORLD-WATTENS-Wattens is 13km in the east of Innsbruck. Daniel Swarovski from 24.10.1862 – 23.01.1956, was a glass cutter. In 1895 he founded the company. The company produces crystals-glass sculptures, miniature, jewellery, couture, home décor and chandeliers .The entrance of the museum features the shape of a huge spouting head of an alpine giant with a beautiful waterfall. Inside the giant there is a crystal themed indoor park, where crystal world is made. There is a wall of crystal with around 12 tons of fine cut stones at the entrance. Inside, the modern art gallery features larger than life creations crafted with Austrian crystals. In 1995 the Swarovski Crystal World was established. The “Swarovski Crystal World” has fourteen “Chambers of Wonders” created by world renowned artists and designers .They are- Fairytale Winter Landscape, Ice Street, Crystal Dome, Planet of Crystals, Crystal scope .The entrance is Euro11.00.