Top 20 Innsbruck Attractions, Austria

Innsbruck is surrounded on all sides by majestic mountain ranges. First of all, the city is known as a first-class ski resort and host to three Winter Olympics. With the beginning of the season, numerous skiers and snowboarders come here to experience the excellent slopes.

However, Innsbruck has much more to offer tourists than just skiing on the snowy slopes. This picturesque Tyrolean city is lined with baroque mansions from the Habsburg period and is filled with the special spirit of the Austrian province, where the way of life may not change for centuries.

The Hofburg Palace and the Helblinghaus, the Arc de Triomphe on Maria Theresa Street and the Cathedral of St. James - all this is the legacy of the brilliant imperial era, carefully preserved by descendants. The fabulous Swarovski Crystal Museum is able to amaze the most sophisticated imagination, and the magnificent views of the Alpine valleys will remain in your memory for a long time.

What to see and where to go in Innsbruck?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Ambras Castle

The history of the castle began in the 12th century. In those days, it was a harsh medieval fortress. Under Archduke Ferdinand II in the 16th century, Ambras was rebuilt by Italian architects in accordance with the canons of the Renaissance. After the construction was completed, the ruler placed his collection of works of art in the castle, many exhibits of which today adorn the best museums in Austria. Part of the collection remained on the territory of Ambras and is now available for inspection.

Hofburg Imperial Palace

The palace complex, which belonged to members of the Habsburg dynasty. Until the XIV century, even under the Tyrolean counts, medieval defensive structures were located on its territory. The construction of the palace was completed under Maximilian I at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. After the abolition of the monarchy, the complex went to the state. Nowadays, official events are periodically held in the Hofburg. Part of the chambers of the palace is given over to the museum.

Maria Theresa street

The alley is named after Archduchess Maria Theresa of the Harsburg dynasty. It is one of the central streets of Innsbruck, where it is almost always noisy and crowded. At the beginning of the alley there is a triumphal arch of Franz I Stephen of Lorraine. One of the local iconic monuments is the Column of St. Anne of 1706, which is dedicated to the liberation of Tyrol from the Bavarian army. The obelisk is crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary and surrounded by figures of four saints.

Triumphal Arch

The monument is installed at the entrance on Maria Theresa Street. It was created in 1765 in honor of the marriage of Archduke Leopold and Princess Marie Louise. However, the husband of Maria Theresa, Franz I, died before the wedding, so the arch commemorates not only a happy marriage, but also acts as a memorial monument in honor of the emperor. The arch is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting representatives of the Habsburg dynasty, as well as state emblems.

"Golden Roof"

House-residence of the Tyrolean kings, built in the XV century. It received such a poetic name thanks to the golden tiles that cover the roof of a large external balcony on the front facade. The tiles have survived to the present day, for more than five centuries the coating has undergone only minor reconstructions. Today, there is a museum on the territory of the residence, where personal belongings of emperors, court costumes, furniture and household utensils are exhibited.

Helblinghaus

Luxurious mansion with a rococo facade located in the center of Innsbruck. The building was erected in the XV century under Frederick IV, it acquired its modern look only in 1730. The Gothic facade of the house was rebuilt by order of its owner J. Fischer. The architect A. Gigl decorated the walls with rich stucco and remade the roof, retaining only the arches of the first floor from the original appearance. The Helblinghaus is still a residential building.

city ​​tower

The construction was erected in the middle of the 15th century for purely practical purposes - monitoring the approaches to the city, determining the location of a fire that broke out, etc. Moreover, members of the Innsbruck government worked in the rooms inside the tower. The reconstruction of the building was carried out in the 70s. XX century. At the top there is an observation deck, where a staircase of 150 steps leads.

Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

After viewing the museum exposition, the visitor will have a complete picture of the ethnographic heritage of the historical region of Tyrol. The collection exhibits interior items, clothing, handicrafts, dishes, furniture and other exhibits that recreate the atmosphere of past centuries. The museum was founded in 1888 on the initiative of the trade association of the city of Innsbruck. In 1926, the exposition moved to the territory of the former Franciscan monastery.

Museum Ferdinandeum

The exposition is housed in a building located near the Hofburg Palace. The museum is named after Ferdinand II, the Austrian archduke revered in Innsbruck. This ruler was a philanthropist and collector. He collected valuable works of art in his palace of Ambras, later transferred to various museums. The Ferdinandeum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts from the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.

Grassmayr Bell Museum

The museum exposition consists of bells collected by the Grassmayr family. Representatives of this family have been making bells for 400 years. During this time, the masters have developed a unique ebb technology that allows you to make specimens that emit melodious sounds. An integral part of the museum is the foundry, where they restore old and create new bells.

Panorama Tyrol Museum

The museum building is located on the top of the Bergisel hill, where in 1809 the invincible Napoleonic army faced a handful of brave Tyrolean peasants led by the brave A. Hofer. Despite the numerical superiority, the Tyroleans still managed to defeat the enemy. This heroic feat is dedicated to the exposition "Panorama of Tyrol". A monument to A. Gofer was erected near the museum building.

Crystal worlds «Swarovski»

Not far from Innsbruck in the city of Wattens is the Swarovski Crystal Museum, opened in 1995 for the 100th anniversary of the brand. There used to be a factory here. The exposition of the museum is a magnificent installation of crystals, which was created by famous designers. The collection is united by the concept of a fabulous underground kingdom of a giant, filled with wonders and treasures. The entrance to the museum is made in the form of a giant's head with eyes made of green stones.

Cathedral of Saint James

Innsbruck's main Catholic church, built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style. The first Romanesque church on the site of the cathedral has existed since the 12th century. The interior of the cathedral can certainly be called one of the most beautiful in Austria. It is decorated with frescoes, stucco and sculptures. During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged due to bombing, but was soon restored.

Basilica and Monastery of Wilten

The first mention of the monastery dates back to the 9th century, but the creation of a full-fledged abbey took place later - in the first half of the 12th century. The basilica was built towards the end of the 17th century, when the monastery reached its peak. The temple is executed in the elegant style of "Austrian" baroque. The monastery complex is located about 2.5 km from the center of Innsbruck at the foot of the Bergisel mountain.

Hofkirche church

The temple is located in the historical center of Innsbruck in close proximity to the Hofburg Palace. It was built in memory of Emperor Maximilian I. The building was erected in accordance with the canons of the Renaissance style. The interior space is dominated by baroque features. A commemorative ketonaf (not containing the remains of the sarcophagus) of Maximilian I, made of black marble, is stored in the basilica.

Hofgarten park

In the 15th century, on the site of a modern park, there was a court garden, from where vegetables and herbs were delivered to the imperial table. Centuries later, a magnificent landscape park in the English style was laid out here with flower beds, lawns and pavilions for relaxation. The park has a group of trees planted by Archduchess Maria Theresa herself. The Hofgarten is located next to the Royal Palace.

Alpine zoo

Alpine zoo, home to 150 species (more than 3 thousand individuals) of representatives of the alpine fauna, many of which are on the verge of extinction. Goats, cows and sheep also live here. The menagerie was founded by zoologist H. Psenner in the 1960s. in order to preserve the species diversity of the animal world of the Alps. Under the auspices of the zoo, educational and research programs operate.

Springboard "Bergisel"

"Bergisel" is used for the 3rd stage of the Ski Jumping World Cup. The very first competitions were held in 1925. The Olympic flame was lit here three times. A large-scale reconstruction of the ski jump was carried out in the period 2001-2002. under the direction of the famous architect Zaha Hahid. The ski jump complex has an observation deck and a panoramic restaurant, which can be reached by funicular or by foot of stairs.

Funicular "Hungerburgbahn"

The Hungerburgbahn connects the center of Innsbruck with the Hungerburg district. He is another creation of the talented Zaha Hahid. The funicular makes four stops along the way. The last station is located at an altitude of 860 meters, from where the Nordpark ski area begins. The modern funicular was built to replace the old mechanism, which functioned properly from 1906 to 2005.

Cable car Nordkettenbahn

The road leads to the top of Mount Hafelekar, whose height is 2334 meters above sea level. During the cab ride, passengers enjoy breathtaking views of Innsbruck, the Oberes-Intal valley and the 3,800-metre Grossglockner peak. The cable car consists of the Hungerburge, Seegrube and Hafelekar stations located at different levels. It will be interesting to ride along it not only for skiers, but also for ordinary tourists.