The sights of Innsbruck

Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, has a lot of interesting sights.

The most popular sight of Innsbruck is the "Goldene Dachl"

In the following lines we would like to present to you a close-up of some sights.

The "Goldene Dachl"

Late Gothic bay window with 2.657 gilded copper tiles. Built to serve as a court box during Emperor Maximilian I reign (1494-96). Frescoes and coats of arms and dancers in relief decorate the bay and the interior of the seat.

The "Hofburg"

Built under Archduke Siegmund the Rich in 1460 and rebuilt at the order of Empress Maria Theresia (1754-73). Sumptuous giant hall with portraits of the royal family.

"Riesenrundgemälde"

Oil painting on 1000m² of canvas depicting the Battle on the Bergisel in 1809.

The "Annasäule"

A column erected between 1704 and 1706 by the provincial legislature in commemoration of the Tyroleans' successful resistance to a Bavarian invasion (1703) during the War of Spanish Succession.

The "Alpenzoo"

It is the only zoo in Europe located at such a high altitude. 150 species of animals from the Alps are shown there. Purchase your ticket at the lower station of the Hungerburg Funicular Railway and you can ride to and from the zoo on the funicular free of charge.

"Christkindl" Market:

This is the name for Santa Claus' market in Innsbruck. You can find all kinds of knick-knack there to decorate your house and Christmas tree with. Or try a glass of the original "Glühwein" (hot spiced wine) and the great "Kiachl" (a sort of doughnut) - you must taste it on your next holiday in Tyrol!

Swarovski Crystal Worlds: In the small town of Wattens, situated a few miles outside Innsbruck, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds opened theire doors to the public in October 1995. Through the huge waterspouting head of the botanic giant the visitor enters the mostly subterranean, unquiue magic world of Crystals (idea and artistic supervision by Andre Heller). One can hardly describe it - you have to experience it yourself: - a view of the surreal landscape of a glittering galaxy, the inside of a gigantic crystal dome with changing patterns of light and sound, bizarre scenarios.

And finally we want to tell you something about the

"Europabrücke"

Europe's highest bridge is 777m long and transverses the 657-meter-wide Wipp Valley 190 m above the Sill River. It is supported by hollow pylons whose walls are 55 cm thick at their base and almost 35 cm thick at their heads.

These are only some of many sights in the area of Innsbruck. For more information call one of the local travel agencies in Innsbruck.

see also short information about: events in Tyrol, Fiss, Imst, Ischgl, Ladis, Leutasch, Neustift, Ötztal, Pitztal, St. Anton. To get an overview look at the Map of Tyrol.

written by Manfred Berger and Valentin Dané

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