Landmarks of Innsbruck, Austria
According to Mcat-Test-Centers, the Austrian city of Innsbruck is located in the province of Tyrol. Its location on the river Inn has ensured a lot of trade over the centuries. After all, the Inn not only flows through Austria, but also through Germany and Switzerland. From the center of Innsbruck you can admire several mountains that give the cityscape its own character. Innsbruck is surrounded by the Karwendel mountain range and the Alps. Tourism has now become an important source of income. Many tourists are drawn to Innsbruck for the city’s beautiful and colorful architecture. Especially in the Altstadt, the old center of Innsbruck, you will find a lot of baroque architecture such as the palaces or those of Helblinghaus on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. Athletes have also found their way to Innsbruck. The mountainous area is ideal for cycling and walking tours during the summer months. And during the winter months, especially winter sports enthusiasts can stay there. If you would like to take it a little easier, that’s no problem. Innsbruck is more than that. For example, you can also enjoy fantastic shopping in the Maria Theresienstrasse, visit a museum, take a trip with the cable car or enjoy one of the many terraces that the university city of Innsbruck has to offer. You may be lucky enough to find a festival taking place during your stay. The annual Christmas market and the music festival Innsbruck Festival of Early Music have been a great success for years.
With the Innsbruck Card you can visit many museums and attractions in Innsbruck for free. The purchase price of this special discount card for tourists will pay off fairly quickly, especially if you want to see and do a lot in Innsbruck. During the validity of your card you can also use public transport in the city for free.
Top 10 things to do in Innsbruck
#1. The Golden Roof
On Herzog-Friedrich-Straße in Innsbruck, crowds often form in front of the ‘Golden Roof’. This legacy from the fifteenth century was an initiative of Emperor Maximilian I. From this place, the emperor had an excellent view of the sometimes exciting and entertaining tournaments that were held here. The roof covered with gilded copper has itself become a symbol of the city of Innsbruck. The Museum Goldenes Dachl is now located in the former imperial residence. This museum gives you an enlightening look at the late medieval world as it looked here in Innsbruck. Of course, a visit to the balcony with the golden roof is part of this.
#2. Castle Ambras
The beautiful palace ‘Schloss Ambras’ towers high above the city of Innsbruck. The oldest parts of Schloss Ambras date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. But the most beautiful was the palace during the sixteenth century. At the time, Schloss Ambras was built as a residence for Ferdinand II of Tyrol. The current appearance was mainly achieved in the nineteenth century. Around 1855 the palace was converted to serve as a summer residence for Archduke Karl Ludwig. Just under a century later, the palace belongs to the Republic of Austria and you can enjoy a variety of art. As an Art History Museum, Schloss Ambras has an excellent collection. You can also regularly enjoy suitable concerts there.
#3. Tyrolean Folk Art Museum
Around 1929, the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum was opened in Innsbruck. The museum presents all kinds of objects that highlight different facets of crafts. This way you get a special view into the life of all layers of the population. The historical folk art therefore represents an important part of the culture. This also includes traditional clothing, furniture, art and tools. The Tyrolean Folk Art Museum is housed in a former monastery from the sixteenth century.
#4. Hofkerk
The green domed roof on the bell tower of the Hofkirche can be seen from different directions. The Hofkerk was built in the sixteenth century. Stonemasons, architects and sculptors were called in for the realization of the church. The Roman Catholic Hofkirche is also called the ‘Schwarzmander Kirche’. This is a reference to the black statues that are set up in the church. The idea for these statues came from Emperor Maximilian I and was later adopted by his grandson Ferdinand I. The statues depict role models, ancestors and influential people who together form a funeral procession. In the Hofkirche you can see the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, Archduke Ferdinand II and Philippine Welser. The Hofkirche can only be visited against payment.
#5. Bergisel Bergisel
is a few minutes’ drive from the center of Innsbruck. The almost seven hundred and fifty meters high Bergisel mountain is best known among ski jumpers. Since the 1964 Olympics, the mountain has been loved and feared in the ski world. During the ‘Vierschanzentournee’, grand prizes are awarded to winners with the most points obtained during the four parts. Today’s modern Bergiselschanze is a creation of architect Zaha Hadid. A restaurant is located in the tower of the ski jump, where you can enjoy a very nice view while enjoying a snack and/or drink.
#6. Triumphpforte
In the old center of Innsbruck, the Triumphpforte from the eighteenth century is a clear reference to the past. The triumphal arch was built as a wedding gift for Archduke Leopold and his wife Princess Maria Ludovica from Spain. Leopold’s father, Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine, died during the wedding festivities. It was then decided that this should be immortalized in the design of the triumphal arch. On one side you will find references to marriage and on the other side references to the death of the emperor.
#7. Tiroler Landesmuseum
In this provincial museum you can admire a wide range of collections. In the Tiroler Landesmuseum, you can take a walk through time, as it were, from prehistory to Roman times, passing through to the Middle Ages and finally ending in the contemporary period. A nice balance has been found between art, nature, technology and culture. Among the collections are photos, paintings, music collections, furniture and all kinds of other objects.
#8. Patscherkofel
The most famous ski area near Innsbruck is Patscherkofel. The Patscherkofel is a mountain in the Alps, which was of great importance during the Olympic Games in 1964, 1978 and 2012. The different disciplines in this ski area make Patscherkofel a ski resort where the whole family can have fun. In addition, the Austrian atmosphere can be felt everywhere and you can even taste it in the average kitchen. The catering industry in this ski area therefore often prefers Austrian specialties such as schnitzel, cheese dumplings, apple strudel and goulash soup. Hikers can also enjoy themselves in Patscherkofel.
#9. Hofgarten
A lovely park is located on the edge of the old center of Innsbruck. Hofgarten was once a landscaped garden in the sixteenth century. But in the meantime, the private garden of the Habsburgs has become a real city park with pavilions, old trees, lawns, playgrounds, restaurants and a place where various events are regularly organized. Called ‘Hoga’ by the inhabitants, it is a park that scores high from a cultural point of view.
#10. Badesee Rossau
The recreation area Badesee Rossau is located on the southeastern side of the Austrian city of Innsbruck. Especially during the summer months Badesee Rossau is a busy part of the city. The lake has an area of almost three hectares. Around ‘Stretch’ as it is called by the inhabitants, you will find spacious sunbathing areas and catering establishments. Besides practicing water sports, you can also play miniature golf, volleyball, basketball, chess and table tennis. In the meantime, the little ones will have a great time in the large playground.
