Innsbruck is not only the capital of the state of Tyrol, but also a popular winter sports center in the Alps. There is a lot to see in the city of 311,000 inhabitants – as long as the weather lasts. During our visit a thick cloud cover hangs over the city.
Golden Roof
This late Gothic building in the middle of the old town (Herzog-Friedrich-Straße) is considered the city’s landmark. The roof of the bay window was covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper shingles.
House front on the Inn
These houses are probably photographed more often than the Golden Roof. You are right on the Inn next to the Inn Bridge. The concrete bridge connects the magnificent old town of Innsbruck with the oldest district of Mariahilf – St. Nikolaus.
Cathedral of St.Jakob
Innsbruck Cathedral, built in 1180, is the cathedral or bishopric of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Innsbruck. From the outside, but especially from the inside, it is an imposing building.
The streets and alleys
Innsbruck has a lot of interesting streets and alleys. The best way to explore them is on foot. The Maria-Theresien-Straße, the busiest street in the city, is very well known. The Triumphal Gate forms the southern end.
Triumphal Gate
This triumphal arch was built in 1765. The occasion was the wedding of Archduke Leopold to the Spanish Princess Maria Ludovica on August 5, 1765. The groom’s father died only 2 weeks after the wedding, which is why mourning motifs were incorporated into the north side on the occasion of his death. The south side shows motifs in the sense of the wedding of the young couple.
If you look through the arch, you can see the Bergisel Skisprunkschanze in the background, which we did not visit.
Innsbruck court garden
This listed park invites you to stroll on hot days. It has existed for about 600 years and is around ten hectares in size. Right next to it is the Tyrolean State Theater, the Music House, the Hofburg and the Congress House.
Schwarzmander Church
This church is also called the Hofkirche or the Franciscan Church. In the 16th century it was built as a site for the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, but the latter was buried in the castle of Wiener Neustadt.
Views
You have a very nice view of Innsbruck from the Hungerburg or Nordkette valley station (bus line J, goes from the market square / it is 10 minutes by car from the old town)
When I drive to the point, it has just stopped raining. Accordingly, the view is not quite as spectacular as the mountains are still covered with clouds. It also rains all of the next day, so other viewpoints have no point.
Nordkettenbahn
It’s a shame because we like to be taken to the “Top of Innsbruck” point by cable car. But that’s not worth the € 38 for ascent and descent without a guaranteed view.