Innsbruck

Innsbruck is not only the capital of the federal state of Tyrol, but also a popular winter sports centre in the Alps. There is plenty to see in the city of 311,000 inhabitants - provided the weather holds out. During our visit, a thick blanket of clouds hung over the city.

Golden Roof
This late Gothic building in the centre of the old town (Herzog-Friedrich-Straße) is considered a landmark of the city. The roof of the oriel was covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper shingles.

House front on the Inn
These houses are probably photographed even more often than the Golden Roof. They are located directly 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. 

St Jacob's Cathedral
Built in 1180, Innsbruck Cathedral is the Cathedral respectively the Episcopal see the Roman Catholic Diocese of Innsbruck. From the outside, but especially from the inside, it is an imposing building. 

The streets and alleyways
Innsbruck has many streets and alleyways worth seeing. The best way to explore them is on foot. The Maria-Theresien-Straße, the most frequented street in the city, is very well known. The Triumphpforte 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 5 August 1765. The groom's father died just two weeks after the wedding, which is why mourning motifs were incorporated into the north side to mark his death. The south side shows motifs in the spirit of the young couple's wedding.

If you look through the arch, you can see the Bergisel ski jump in the background, but we didn't visit it. 

Innsbruck Court Garden
This listed park invites you to take a stroll on hot days. It has existed for around 600 years and is around ten hectares in size. The Tiroler Landestheater, the Musikhaus, the Hofburg and the Kongresshaus are located right next to it.

Schwarzmander Church
This church is also known as the Court Church or Franciscan Church. It was built in the 16th century to house the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, but he had himself buried in the castle of Wiener Neustadt. 

Prospects
You have a very beautiful view of Innsbruck from the Hungerburg lookout or Nordkette valley station (bus line J, departs from the market square/ by car it is 10 minutes up from the old town)

When I drive to the point, it has just stopped raining. As a result, the view is not quite as spectacular, as the mountains are still shrouded in clouds. It also rains the whole next day, so there is no point in going to other viewpoints. 

Nordkettenbahn
It's a shame, as we really enjoy taking the cable car to the "Top of Innsbruck". But that's not worth the €38 for the ascent and descent without a guaranteed view.