What to do in Innsbruck. Trip to Innsbruck. Tips for independent travelers. Nordkettenbahn cable car

The capital of Tyrol, the cozy, charming and colorful postcard city of Innsbruck is neatly nestled in a natural valley between the ridges of the Nordkette mountain range. Innsbruck is one of the most visited by tourists alpine mountains odov. The reason for its well-deserved popularity is its proximity to ski resorts (the best in Europe, don’t forget!), the abundance of attractions for all tastes - from the amazing Bell Museum to the pompous Hofburg Palace - and Austrian service in hotels, restaurants and everywhere else - a standard of service that has become almost synonymous with quality. In between “running” through the sights of Innsbruck, we recommend stopping by for a cup of hot chocolate in intimate coffee shops with the obligatory fluffy blankets on the street chairs. And when they are all explored, do not neglect the opportunity to travel through the fabulous Tyrol.

The first thing tourists try to see in Innsbruck is the elaborately decorated balcony called the Golden Roof.

Architectural landmarks are the first thing you notice in a new place. History has been very favorable to Innsbruck: for centuries this city was the family nest of the Habsburg dynasty, who, like any self-respecting (and respected by the people) monarchs, sought to ennoble their patrimony and decorate Innsbruck to the envy of neighboring lands. The first thing tourists try to see in Innsbruck is the elaborately decorated balcony called the Golden Roof. There are over two and a half thousand gold-plated copper plates (the city fathers were Austrian wise), thanks to which the balcony literally blazes in the bright Alpine sun. Acquaintance with Innsbruck continues on Maria Theresa Street - the main pedestrian and shopping artery of the city. The number of boutiques here is equal to the number of restaurants and coffee shops, and all this is “diluted” by attractions - the Arc de Triomphe, the Column of St. Anne and ancient mansions in the Baroque style.

You should definitely see the city tower of Innsbruck, from which decrees were announced and the exact time was announced for four hundred years - a good example of European foundations! Let's not forget about the modern evidence of Innsbruck's popularity - the Bergisel ski jump, over which the Olympic flame was lit twice.

The raison d'être of Ambras Castle is a collection, it seems, of everything that could be collected in those days, which belonged to Archduke Ferdinand. Among the masterpieces are amazingly preserved examples of complete uniforms of mounted knights, art objects from all over the world and curiosities from the Gallery of Wonders.

Well, you can see how simple Tyrolean people lived in the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. Carved sleighs, feeders and cow bells, casual and festive clothing, as well as entire rooms of Tyrolean houses from different eras form the core of his collection. With the help of a 3D panorama you can walk around the surroundings of the museum.

Innsbruck also fascinates with its nature. You can see the magnificent view of the mountain ranges in the 3D all-round panorama below.

For most visitors to Austria, Innsbruck is a sort of transit point. Tourists come here to spend a day or two in the city, and then go to one of the nearby ski resorts, for which the Austrian Tyrol is famous throughout the world.

And, frankly speaking, in relation to the city, whose name comes from the phrase “bridge over the Inn River”, this is completely unfair, because it is no less interesting than Salzburg, beloved by tourists. Today’s article is a story about the main attractions of the historical city center, as well as interesting places that cannot be missed.

1. ARCH OF TRIUMPHAL INSBRUCK

The center of Innsbruck can be described with a common phrase: “small but expensive.” Although you can easily walk around it in a couple of hours, you can talk about each local building for hours. Let's start with an interesting fact. The historical (current pedestrian) area of ​​Innsbruck is the result of a large-scale renovation organized by Empress Maria Theresa in 1764 on the occasion of the marriage of her son Leopold to the Spanish princess Maria Louise.

Evidence of this is the triumphal arch that is visible on the approach to the pedestrian zone. It is made of stones left after the dismantling of the fortress walls that surrounded the city in ancient times. The first wedding arch was made simply from papier-mâché and decorated with flowers. However, builders on the occasion of the royal wedding completely changed Innsbruck: they built beautiful road, along which the princess’s cortege followed, and got rid of the sewage canals that ran right next to the city walls: it was inappropriate for the bride to drive to the wedding site along roads flooded with who knows what.

Triumphal Arch of Innsbruck

By the way, the story of why they decided to have the wedding in Innsbruck is also very interesting. As you know, Empress Maria Theresa during her reign was guided by the principle common to the Habsburgs: “Let others fight, and you, beautiful Austria, get married.” Therefore, she gave all her children, except for her beloved daughter Princess Maria Christina, known by the nickname Mimi, in arranged marriages. Sometimes, as in the case of her youngest daughter Marie Antoinette, the calculation was not justified: do they still remember the sad fate of the French queen? But Maria Theresa's other children were luckier.

Maria Theresa of Austria and France I Stephen with children, ceremonial portrait in the Hofburg Palace (Innsbruck)

However, the empress was also not sure of the successful marriage of her son Leopold. The fact is that the Spanish princess Maria Luisa was very ugly. So much so that her relatives tearfully asked the empress to hold the wedding somewhere away from Vienna, so that the bride would not fall into despair at the sight of the court beauties.

No sooner said than done. Innsbruck was chosen as the venue for the celebrations. By the way, the marriage turned out to be successful. According to chroniclers, when Prince Leopold saw his betrothed, he told his mother: “It’s not so bad! I expected the worst!” Well, 16 children born in marriage are also good proof that the princess was not disgusted with her husband. Unfortunately, the wedding was overshadowed by a tragic event. During the celebrations, the groom's father, Maria Theresa's husband Franz I Stephen, suddenly died.

In memory of this, the Empress ordered the construction of a permanent one made of stone in place of the temporary triumphal arch made of papier-mâché. One side of it is decorated with symbols of happiness and love - on the occasion of the marriage of Leopold II, and the second - with images of sadness and death, in memory of the late Franz I Stephen.

2. HOUSE WITH A GOLDEN ROOF

Today, the fortress walls of Innsbruck can only be identified by a knowledgeable person who searches for them with precision. “Here she is,” a man of about forty, dressed in a typical Tyrolean costume, pats the thick wall of the souvenir shop in a businesslike manner.

Nowadays, apartments and shops have been opened within the walls, originally built to protect and defend the city. Yes, they made them so thick that today you can sit comfortably inside: Swedes or Hong Kong residents sometimes huddle in much more cramped conditions.

In the main attraction of the center - the House with the Golden Roof, which was the residence of the beloved ruler of Innsbruck, Kaiser Maximilian I, there is a city registry office. Although at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries Maximilian I bore the title of Holy Roman Emperor, his palace looks modest by modern standards.

The house with the golden roof is the main city attraction

Just a house with a balcony decorated with frescoes and coats of arms. The only thing that distinguishes it from many similar ones is the roof, covered with gold tiles. But this is also a deception! In fact, it is gold plated. Maximilian ordered it to be painted gold as part of a program to create the image of a successful politician, so that merchants arriving in the city would think that the ruler of Innsbruck was fabulously rich.

However, there is a myth circulating around the city that one of the tiles is actually made of noble metal. There are even reckless drivers who want to test their luck. They periodically steal a couple of tiles from the roof, and once during the restoration of the palace, some spiteful critics actually stole all of them at once. True, then they planted the loss on the local radio with a note: “We need to keep a better eye on our sights.”

The frescoes on the balcony of the house depict the Kaiser himself, his children and two wives: his beloved wife Maria of Bungur, who gave Maximilian two heirs, and at the age of 25 died after falling from a horse while falconry, and his second wife Bianca Maria Sforza. Maximilian went down the aisle with her for purely selfish reasons, because Milanese relatives gave a dowry of 400,000 ducats for the bride.

Well, how I got married. Maximilian did not appear at the celebrations, which were organized by Leonardo da Vinci himself, but sent his representative, and after the wedding the couple practically did not communicate: it is known that Bianca never mastered the Tyrolean dialect. She died at the age of 38; some believe the blow was caused by gluttony, to which Bianca Maria was prone. This is the story. And today, Innsbruck newlyweds are photographed against the background of a portrait of Kaiser Maximilian and their spouses. It’s romantic, if you don’t go into details about the personal life of Maximilian the First.

3. HOUSES OF THE Dwarf and the Giant

Turning away from the House with the Golden Roof, you will inevitably see two curious buildings: one with pathologically low, and the other with pathologically high ceilings.

It is believed that servants from the retinue of Archduke Ferdinand II, the ruler of Western Austria and the Tyrol, who lived in the 16th century, lived here: the dwarf Zwerg Tomele, 65 centimeters tall, and the giant Bartolomeo Bon: his height was 2 meters 23 centimeters. They competed with each other for the Archduke's love, which sometimes even led to assault.

4. HOFKIRCH CHURCH

I strongly advise everyone to look here, because the Hofkirche Church, erected by Ferdinand I as a sign of respect for the memory of his grandfather, that same Kaiser Maximilian I, is a completely unparalleled place.

Bronze statues of the black retinue taller than a man

During his lifetime, Maximilian planned to build a mausoleum for himself. According to the author's plan, His Majesty's body was to rest in a sarcophagus, which would be surrounded by giant figures cast in bronze of the monarch's close and distant relatives.

The clothing of the statues fully corresponds to certain eras

But it didn’t work out. According to legend, in his declining years the emperor had a conflict with the innkeepers: they refused to give him food and drink, because he owed them too much money. The Kaiser, of course, was offended, decided not to return to Innsbruck and died in the city of Wels.

His body was completely buried in three different places. The main tomb is located in Neustadt, some of the remains, according to tradition, are in Vienna, and Maximilian bequeathed to bury his heart in Bruges next to the grave of his beloved wife Mary of Burgundy.

Bronze statue of Mary of Burgundy in the Hofkirche church

The hem of the dress and shoe of the statue of Mary of Burgundy

What is in the church in Innsbruck? In its center stands a completely empty sarcophagus, surrounded by a “black retinue”: 28 statues cast in bronze. All of them, with the exception of the mythical King Arthur, are real personalities, members of the family of Maximilian I, and the emperor simply could not help but include the legendary king of the Britons in his own genealogy.

Details of the "black retinue" of the retinue of Kaiser Maximilian I


Here are the two wives of Maximilian, here is Philip the Handsome and the Spanish princess Juanna the Mad. The statues are amazing, especially the female ones. The craftsmen accurately conveyed the ladies’ hairstyles, the lacing of shoes, and the embroidery on clothes. Yes, what’s there, even the belts around the waist are tied in the real way, as if they were made of fabric.

Kaiser Maximilian's "Black Retinue" in the Hofkirche

Embroidery on bronze dresses of female statues

Belts of female statues in the Hofkirche church

The technology for making such bronze statues is lost today. It is assumed that at first the craftsmen made a prototype from wax, then cast the figures in parts, and assembled them on the spot. That is why there are no exact copies of the “black retinue” statues, there is only one, very similar, it stands in the same Innsbruck in the Hard Rock Cafe.

By the way, if after visiting the Hofkirche you still have energy, take a look at the folk art museum on the second floor of the building. There you can see old wedding carriages, folk costumes and all kinds of Tyrolean utensils. The place is very interesting.

5. HOFBURG PALACE

The main palace of Innsbruck was rebuilt by Maria Theresa on the occasion of the already mentioned marriage of her son Leopold to the Spanish princess Maria Louise. Unfortunately, most of the historical interiors have not been preserved, and some rooms of the palace are even rented out today, so little is available to tourists.

The most interesting thing is the main hall with huge portraits of Empress Maria Theresa herself, her husband Franz I Stephen and their 14 children who lived to adulthood. The images of elephants on the wall of one of the Hofburg chambers also look funny. The artist did not know what these animals looked like, and drew them according to the description. The result was something that looked like a hybrid of mice and platypuses.

6. MOUNT NORDKETTE

After walking around below, go upstairs. Use the Nordkettenbahnen funicular to climb Mount Nordkette, at the foot of which Innsbruck was built. In winter, its slopes are used as ski slopes, and in summer tourists come here to walk along the Goethe Trail, which, like a ribbon, wraps around the top of the mountain.

What does this have to do with the German writer and thinker? Yes, it’s just that “Faust” mentions a certain mythical place where the sky meets the earth, so the residents of Innsbruck decided: let it be a path at the top of Nordkette. Cafes are also open here, and on the night of July 21-22, celebrations are held on the mountain in honor of John the Baptist - an analogue of our Ivana Kupala. Locals lights in the form of crosses are lit on the slopes, and the sight, it should be noted, is mystical.

7. MUNGING CAFE

In the finale, about another extremely interesting place in the center of Innsbruck - the Munding cafe. It opened in 1803 and became the first establishment in the city where women were allowed to go unaccompanied by men.

Of course, now the very idea that a lady could not appear in a public place without a representative of the stronger sex seems wild to us, but at the beginning of the 19th century these were generally accepted rules decency.

The cafe is still run by the Munding family. But Innsbruck residents love to come here not because the establishment has become a stronghold of emerging feminism in Europe. The local lemon and berry cakes are simply incredibly good. And the coffee here is excellent - the owners roast the beans themselves and make the blends.

Chocolate bars in the shape of house tiles with a golden roof

By the way, if you stop by Munding, be sure to buy a local sweet souvenir - chocolate bars in gold foil that look like the tiles of Kaiser Maximilian’s house. They are not sold anywhere else.

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Yulia Malkova- Yulia Malkova - founder of the website project. Former editor-in-chief of the elle.ru Internet project and editor-in-chief of the cosmo.ru website. I talk about travel for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my readers. If you are a representative of hotels or a tourism office, but we do not know each other, you can contact me by email: [email protected]

Ask me which city you should visit first, and I will answer: “Of course, Innsbruck!” "Why not ?" - you ask. I'll explain now.

Innsbruck, best known for its ski resorts, is so rich in cultural and natural attractions that it seems as if it has absorbed the whole of Austria. This city looks like a brilliant showcase of an expensive Austrian boutique or an elegant lady of mature age who has not only not lost her grace over the years, but has even become prettier. Her past has ups and downs. In her present there is the tranquil nature of the Alpine mountains and memories of a stormy youth lived.

Former Habsburg residence, center of the federal state of Tyrol, skiing venue Olympic Games- all this is Innsbruck. In this city you can not only enjoy winter sports, but also taste Austrian delicacies, admire the splendor of ancient architecture and improve your health. All in all, Innsbruck can offer you everything you expect from Austria and even more.

Short video about Innsbruck

How to get there

Innsbruck is surrounded on all sides by mountains with a height of about 2000 m. On the north side, the city is supported by the Karwendel massif, on the southwest by the Stubai Alps, and on the southeast by the Tuch Alps. However transport connection It is very well developed here compared to other cities. You can get to the capital of Tyrol not only by plane, but also by car, train or bus.

By plane

From Moscow to Innsbruck you can get direct flights from S7 and Austrian Airlines. At early booking two-way tickets can be bought for approximately 10–11 thousand rubles. If you book late, you will only buy a one-way ticket for this amount. The journey will take about three and a half hours.

If you did not have time to grab a ticket from the two companies mentioned above, you will have to fly with a transfer. The most convenient option is, perhaps, to fly to Vienna, and from there to Innsbruck. With some luck you can do it in about five hours.

Another option is a charter! Crowds of lovers fly to Innsbruck in winter ski holiday, And travel companies organize special flights for them.

Whichever method you choose, start looking for tickets early. You can compare flight prices and choose something suitable for yourself, for example.

From Innsbruck Airport (Kranebbieten) every 15 minutes regular bus F, which will take you to central station cities. The ticket costs 1.80 EUR. If you don't accept public transport, take a taxi. In this case, you will pay about 15 EUR for the trip.

By train

To get to Innsbruck by railway, take the Moscow-Nice train No. 17/18, which departs from Belorussky railway station, located in the north of the capital. The train departs on Thursdays at 10:18 am and arrives at the city's main station. Exact time travel time - 37 hours. Tickets can be purchased on the Russian Railways website.

By bus

There is no direct bus service between Russia and Innsbruck. But if you are traveling to the capital of Tyrol from Europe, the international carrier Flixbus will come to your aid, running between Innsburg and some other European cities. Here is their list.

So, you can get to Innsbruck, for example, from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the main ski resort in Germany, which is only 34 kilometers away (a ticket will cost 5-7 EUR one way). Or from Munich, where they fly from Moscow regular flights S7. In this case, the trip will be more expensive - from 8 to 15 EUR one way, depending on the time of day.

By car

Innsbruck is located approximately 2500 kilometers from Moscow. So the journey by car will be long and expensive. You will have to cross Belarus with its bad roads, Poland, and then Germany or the Czech Republic. I advise you to opt for German roads. They are famous for their excellent quality and lack of speed restrictions.

Google maps They say the journey will take 25 hours. In reality, it will take you at least 3 times longer to get to Innsbruck. To the pure travel time, it is necessary to add not only overnight stays, but also rest stops, waiting time at border crossings and possible traffic jams.

I entered Innsbruck from Mittenwald - a small resort town in the Bavarian Alps. By the way, if you go to Innsbruck from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you will take the same road. At mountain pass 177 I got into real trouble. Coming down from steep mountain, I practically did not release the brake pedal, which almost rendered my car unusable. At the end of the journey, smoke began to pour out from under the car.

I had to stop by the nearest car service center and give the car to Turkish auto repairmen for a couple of hours. By the way, they took my position and examined the poor thing completely free of charge in the name of Turkish-Russian friendship. I hope you are more experienced drivers and know that when going down a mountain with a manual, you need to engage a low gear and brake with the engine. If you have an automatic, set the gear limit.

In conclusion, I would like to note that mountain roads Austria and Germany need to be very careful. The same pass 177 is a busy road that is crossed by hundreds of cars every day. Driving here is extremely difficult. In winter it is better to use wheel chains.

Clue:

Innsbruck - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Most tourists travel to Innsbruck in winter to enjoy skiing down the snow-capped mountains. But, in my opinion, Innsbruck retains its solemnity and grandeur at any time of the year.

Innsbruck in summer

Innsbruck in summer is an elegant, vibrant city, whose cleaned streets sparkle in the sun. Emerald alpine meadows, blue skies and bright sun. But keep in mind that the thermometer is unlikely to rise above + 20 °C. After all, you are in the mountains!

Innsbruck in autumn

Arriving in Innsbruck in the fall, you will not meet crowds of tourists and can calmly enjoy ancient architecture and nature. For residents of Innsbruck, autumn is a kind of “shift change”. Everyone is preparing for the winter season and expecting new guests. average temperature: +10 °C

Innsbruck in spring

In the first half of spring, life is still in full swing in Innsbruck, because ski slopes continue to work. And only after their closure in the second half of April the city finally receives a long-awaited respite after the influx of tourists. The average temperature in the city is also +10 °C.

Innsbruck in winter

In winter people go to Innsbruck to ski. This is the “hottest” season in the city. All museums, cafes, restaurants are open, and the main street is not empty either day or night.

The weather here in winter is quite changeable, as elsewhere in the mountains. It may rain or snow. IN good weather Snow-capped peaks are visible from anywhere in the city, and on bad days the clouds roll right into the streets. Average temperature: −2 °C

Innsbruck weather by month

Clue:

Innsbruck weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Administratively, the city of Innsbruck is divided into nine districts. There are no outright disadvantaged people among them. So tourists can safely walk everywhere.

The main attractions are located in the Old Town (Altstadt). These are the Golden Roof, the Arc de Triomphe, Maria Theresa Street, and the Court Garden. The Golden Eagle is also located here ( Goldener Adler) - most old restaurant and the hotel of the city, where Mozart, Goethe and Paganini also stayed (a sign on the house will notify you of this). At the same time, the price of a single room here starts from 91 EUR, which, in my opinion, is not much for such a place. A luxury double room (35 m²) costs 190–250 EUR per night.

Another famous hotel city ​​- five star Grand Hotel Europa, which you will find directly opposite railway station. It's respectable old hotel, whose baroque interiors amaze with their splendor. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. A suite here costs from 220 EUR per day. It is at this hotel that most celebrities arriving in the city stay.

The Golden Eagle and the Grand Hotel Europa are far from the only hotels in Altstadt. A quick glance at the map below will be enough for you to understand that almost all the hotels in the city fit into its center. Here you will even find a couple of inexpensive hostels - for example Marmota Hostel. You can book the room you like on, and compare prices and choose the most profitable option -.

Those who love home furnishings can take a closer look at rental housing: look for an apartment in the city or a house in the mountains. The average cost of a small apartment with an area of ​​30 meters is 50–70 EUR per day. A house for a group of six people (Ferienhütte or Ferienhaus in German) will cost approximately 1000 EUR for a week's stay. You can find a successful and affordable offer, for example.

The map below roughly shows the Altstadt area, as well as the main station.

What are the prices for holidays?

Prices in Innsbruck are high. Two-hour sightseeing tour around the city with a Russian guide will cost you 100–120 EUR. A room in an average hotel costs about 80–100 euros per night. Taxi - 1.70–1.90 EUR/km. A trip by bus or tram - 2.30 (2.70 for the driver). Lunch in a cafe - 15–20 euros.

Therefore, I advise you to purchase a card immediately upon arrival Insbruck Card. This can be done at the Tourist Infromation office. She'll let you ride for free public transport, climb the highest ski lift in the city, visit the Swarovski Museum, the Sound Museum, the Hofkirche Church and many others interesting places. The card can be purchased for one, two or three days. The cost is 33, 41 and 47 EUR, respectively. You can read more about this.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

I think you already guess that Innsbruck has something to surprise you with. To fully enjoy the rich architecture of the city and the nature of its surroundings, you will need at least a week. My advice to you: when traveling to Innsbruck, plan your trip carefully. Think about how many days you are willing to devote to museums, and how many to walks or active recreation Outdoors. Then you won't have to regret that you missed something important.

Top 5

Golden Roof (Golden Dach)

We are talking about the most important attraction of the city, which appears on all postcards and covers of guidebooks. Only in fact this is not a roof at all, but a balcony canopy decorated with gilded plates. There are more than 2,500 of them. This beauty appeared here in the 16th century under Emperor Maximilian I and cost so much money that the city even went into debt. But it was not proper for the Holy Roman Emperor, who was Maximilian, to look at his subjects from the most ordinary balcony.

Today, the building with the Golden Roof houses the Maximilian Museum, revealing the secrets of his reign. For just 4.80 EUR you can explore the museum and go up to the balcony. There are also audio guides. Open all year round.

Finding the Golden Roof is very easy - it is located in the very center of the city, in the already familiar Altstadt district. The walk from the main station will take 5–10 minutes.

Ambras Castle

It is both a castle and a museum. It was built back in the 16th century by Duke Ferdinand II, who was fond of collecting weapons and art objects. All this is still stored under the painted vaults of the castle and is of great historical value. By the way, Innsbruck was once the center of gunsmithing in Europe!

In addition, you can see a collection of portraits of the Habsburgs, ancient scientific instruments, musical instruments and knight's armor.

The castle is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed in November. The portrait gallery and collection of Gothic sculptures are open from April to October. From December to March the entrance ticket costs 7 EUR, and from April to October - 10 EUR. For children and teenagers under 19 years of age, admission is free.

There are various ways to get to the castle. If you have already purchased a ticket for the sightseeing tourist bus Sightseer, then the smartest thing to do would be to take any of its stops. In this case, the journey to the castle will take no more than half an hour.

If your starting point is the main station (Hauptbahnhof), take the Postbus 4134 tourist bus to the Landessportcenter and get off at the Schloss Ambras stop. The journey will take 9 minutes. The schedule can be found. The ticket, which costs 9.70 EUR, includes entry to the museum and a return trip to the main station.

You can also get to the castle by:

  • tram number 3 (direction Amras, stop Philippine-Welser-Straße);
  • bus line C (direction Luigenstraße, stop Luigenstraße);
  • tram number 6 (direction Igls, stop Tummelplatz).

If you are driving, the good news is that parking at the castle is free.

Arc de Triomphe (Triumphforte)

This arch has one interesting feature: the images on one side express joy, and on the other - sadness. The thing is that the construction of the arch was timed to coincide with the wedding of Leopold II, the son of Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria. However, during the wedding celebrations, her husband died, and the design of the arch was slightly changed.

The arch is located near the historical center of the city and can be easily reached on foot from the main station.

Imperial Palace Hofburg (Hofburg Insbruck)

The Hofburg has a very rich history. Erected in the 15th century, it was later rebuilt by Emperor Maximilian (the same one who ordered the “Golden Roof”). As a result, the palace became one of the most magnificent European residences of its time in the late Gothic style. The appearance of the palace remained unchanged until Maria Theresa came to power in the 18th century. She turned the Hofburg into a magnificent Baroque monument.

The palace is open all year round from 9:00 to 17:00. Sundays are family day. A child and two adults will be allowed in for free and will even be given an audio guide. At 14:00 on Sundays there is a tour of the palace (3 EUR for adults, 2 EUR for children). On other days the entrance ticket costs 9 EUR.

The Hofburg is located near the Golden Roof, right in the historical center.

City Tower (Stadtturm)

It stands in the very center of Innsbruck, directly opposite the Golden Roof. The tower itself is not that remarkable, but it offers a breathtaking view of the multi-colored roofs of the city and the tops of the Alpine mountains.

The tower is open to the public from June to September from 10:00 to 20:00, from October to May from 10:00 to 17:00. Entry costs 3.50 EUR.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

You can take a separate tour of the churches, temples and cathedrals of Innsbruck. There are an unusually large number of magnificent structures here. Below I will tell you about the most impressive ones.

Hofkirche

A very unusual church. Its facade is unlikely to attract your attention, but once you go inside, you will be surrounded by 28 black two-meter sculptures. Ladies in luxurious dresses, knights in armor. All of them are relatives of the Emperor Maximilian the First, already known to you, who loved luxury and grandeur. According to Maximilian's plan, Hofhirke was to become his final resting place. To ensure that the rest would not be too boring, the emperor ordered statues of his relatives to be cast and placed directly in the church. Ironically, the emperor's wishes were never respected: he was buried in Vienna. Catholic officials considered it too offensive to bury the emperor on the same level as the altar. However, the sarcophagus was left in place. You can admire it every day from 9:00 to 17:00 (on Sundays and holidays - from 12:30).

Cathedral of St. James (Innsbruck-St. Jakob Dom)

The two copper domes adorning the towers of this cathedral can be seen from everywhere. The Cathedral of St. James is one of the largest and most luxurious Baroque cathedrals in Europe. It was badly damaged during World War II, but the Austrians restored the building in the 90s, and today the cathedral is open to everyone. Opening hours: Mon. - Thu., Sat., Sun. – from 08:00 to 18:30, Fri. – from 8:45 to 18:30.

Hospital Church (Spitalskirche)

This church is another example of exuberant baroque architecture that is unlikely to leave you indifferent. Made in white and pink tones, it resembles a young bride who has been dressed up for the most special moment in her life. And this church was named “hospital” in honor of the hospital that used to be in its place.

If after visiting these places you still have the strength and ability to be amazed, also take a look at the Wilten Basilica ( Stift Wilten), Jesuit Church ( Jesuitenkirche), Church of Christ ( Christuskirche) with its unusual built-in bell tower, the Church of Adoration ( Klosterkirche) or Church of the Heart of Christ ( Herz-Jesu-Kirche).

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I already told you about the museum at Ambras Castle. Here are some more interesting exhibition spaces.

Swarovski Museum (Swarovski Kristallwelten)

This is not so much a museum as a huge interactive space. It does not fit in the center of Innsbruck, so it is located in the surrounding area, in the town of Wattens. You can get here by a special shuttle bus that runs five times a day. You can board it at the main station or at the Congress/Hofburg stop. A round trip ticket costs 9.50 EUR. One way ticket only - 5 EUR. Children under 15 years old can travel for free. The bus schedule can be found.

When you enter the museum, you find yourself in a strange psychedelic world, where everything sparkles and shimmers in the muted light of skillfully placed spotlights. Visitors wander among all this madness as if under a spell. Here you can find yourself right inside a huge crystal 5 meters high, see a huge crystal chandelier simply falling like a waterfall from a high ceiling, walk along a corridor of huge crystals changing the light... What’s not there! Come and see for yourself.

The exposition ends with a giant store. Next to the museum there is a park with green lawns and strange sculptures that will help you gradually return to the real world.

The museum is open every day from 8:30 to 19:30. Admission ticket costs 19 EUR.

Bell Museum Grassmayr Glokenmuseum

This museum, as well as the workshop attached to it, belongs to the famous Grassmeier family in Austria, who have been casting bells for many hundreds of years (since 1599). Here you can not only look at various specimens up close, but also see the process of their creation. The spectacle is truly impressive. Masters in suits and protective masks pour hot copper into special molds, and tourists watch it all from a safe distance.

The museum is open from Mon. on Fri. from 9:00 to 17:00 (from May to September also open on Saturdays). The entrance ticket costs 8 EUR. It is possible to organize excursions in English. Unfortunately, there are no excursions in Russian.

Gallery Augustin

Among the many monuments of Baroque and late Gothic in Innsbruck, there is a modest museum of Austrian modern art. Samples of art from both the current and last centuries are exhibited here. It’s worth visiting this place if you want to dilute your impressions of ancient churches with something closer to reality.

Museum opening hours: Mon – 14:00 –18:00, Tue-Fri –10:30 –18:00, Sat – 11:00–15:00.

In addition, you can visit the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum ( Tiroler Landesmuseum), the Olympic Games Museum (dedicated to the two Olympics of 1964 and 1976), the Ferdinadeum Museum ( Ferdinandeum) or the Sound Museum ( Audioversum).

Parks

There are not many parks in Innsbruck. Why would a small town located right in the middle of spectacular mountain landscapes, abundance of urban green areas? However, there are still some interesting places for city residents to relax here.

"Hofgarten"

This is the most famous park in Innsbruck. Six centuries ago, in its place there was a court garden where vegetables were grown for the imperial table. Today it is a beautiful park in the English style, where neatly trimmed bushes and perfectly round flower beds combine with the natural landscape. Pay attention to the local trees - they are about 300 years old, and they were planted during the time of Maria Theresa!

Another park in Innsbruck is the park "Rapoldi"(Rapoldipark). It is not nearly as famous as the Hofgarten, and you are unlikely to find mention of it in tourist guides. But here you can also have a great rest after a long day filled with visiting museums.

Tourist streets

Maria Theresa Street

The most important tourist street in the city. There are many souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. And the street itself is incredibly picturesque and consists of low houses, different from each other in color and architecture. The main building on Maria Theresa Street is the column of St. Anne, on which, however, stands a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Duke Friedrich Street

The same street where the Golden Roof is located. Of course, here you can also find a lot of cafes and souvenir shops. And on Herzog Friedrich Street there is a very famous house - Helblinghaus(Helblinghaus). Honestly, it looks more like a huge jewelry box or a wedding cake. But actually, this is another important monument of Baroque architecture.

Also note the funny house with red and white shutters, whose outline resembles a medieval fortress ( Ottoburg). This is an architectural monument of the 14th century.

What to see in 1 day

If you only come to Innsbruck for a short time, you probably won’t have enough time to visit all its attractions. But don’t be discouraged: you can also accomplish a lot in one day. Actually, this is how most tourists explore Innsbruck - running. After all, for them, the capital of Tyrol is, first of all, a transit point on the way to the ski resorts. Here's a short route you can take for a quick tour of the city.

Let's start from the main station. From there, head towards the Old Town. First, you will need to go to MuseumStrasse, where the impressive building of the Ferdinarium is located - one of the most interesting ethnographic museums Tyrol. After exploring the building (and maybe the museum), continue moving in the same direction. Very soon you will see the Jesuit Church in front of you. Step inside and admire the baroque interiors and organ. If at this stage you are already tired of the blinding luxury, take a look at the Hofgarten, which is very close. Then head back to the historic center to see the Golden Roof, St. James's Cathedral, and stroll along Maria Theresa Street. From here you can go to the Inn River to do a few beautiful photos. Then continue along Maria Theresa Street. In about ten to fifteen minutes you will reach the Arc de Triomphe.

This route will take you about an hour if you do not make long stops. From the Arc de Triomphe you can return to the train station (it's very close) or continue exploring local beauties. If you choose the latter, then move further towards the Wilten Basilica (it is also an example of Baroque). The Bergisel ski jump and the Bell Museum are also nearby.

This will take you about 40 more minutes. From Wilten Basilica you can return back to the station by bus no. 4140 or no. 4134.

What to see in the area

Once you drive a little away from Innsbruck, you will find yourself at the very foot of the two-thousanders. Even if you don't ride alpine skiing, be sure to visit a couple of Tyrolean mountain towns (for example. Mayrhofen or Ellmau).
Here are a few more interesting places in the vicinity of Innsbruck, which I selected to suit my taste.

Stams Monastery

Just 40 km. from Innsbruck is the Stams Monastery. It was intended as a burial place for Tyrolean princes, but now these baroque interiors are inhabited by very hospitable monks who make wine and grow fruit. Here you can not only get acquainted with their life, but even stay overnight for a very small amount. True, this privilege is available only to men.

Terfens and the Upside Down House (Haus steht Kopf)

The town of Terfens is very tiny. Only 2000 people live here. However, many tourists come here from Innsbruck to take unusual photographs. The thing is that the famous Upside Down House is located here. This is an ordinary house, where everything is the other way around. It is built with the roof down, and the furniture here is nailed to the ceiling.

The entrance ticket costs 7.50 EUR. The house is open all year round from Monday to Sunday. May, June, September, October - from 10:00 to 17:30. July and August - from 9:00 to 19:00. From November to April - from 10.00 to 16.00.

City of Mittenwald

It is located in the same 40 km. from the Tyrolean capital, in the same direction as the resort of Seefeld. Getting here is not difficult at all: the border between Austria and Germany is open. At first glance, this is an ordinary German mountain town. But there is one interesting feature here - ancient frescoes on the walls of the houses. The city center is incredibly picturesque. It will only take you half an hour to get around it. You can use the remaining time by taking a lift to one of the snow-capped peaks of the Karwendel massif.


Leutasch Canyon

It is located exactly on the border of Austria and Germany, 40 km. from Isbruck. This is an incredibly beautiful place where a mountain river flows through high cliffs. Along the entire route high altitude There are special paths for tourists, so no special equipment is needed. I even walked there with a baby stroller, although according to the rules this is not allowed.

Entrance here is free. The fee is charged only for a small area (2 EUR - adults, 1 EUR - children). Convenient parking is provided, although you will have to pay for it separately (about 5 EUR). The canyon is open only in the warm season, because when the paths freeze, walking there becomes dangerous.

Food. What to try

In Tyrol they eat meat. Fruits and vegetables on mountain slopes don't grow. The local cuisine will appeal to those who love hearty, fatty food. The most traditional Tyrolean dishes are schnitzel, goulash soup, roast beef with onions... In general, vegetarians will have a hard time in Innsbruck. People with weak stomachs will also not find it sweet. If you see “vegetable soup” (Gemusesuppe) on the menu, don’t rush to rejoice. Most likely, you will be served a rich meat broth in which the simplest vegetables will float. However, after a long tiring day in the mountains, such a dish may not be out of place.

One of the most famous Innsbruck restaurants, which can delight you with true Tyrolean cuisine not without modern touches, is Ottoburg. It is located in the same historical building on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 1 and is good in everything: cuisine, location and atmosphere. The prices here, however, are not the most affordable: 20 – 30 EUR for a main course. But where in Austria is it cheap, after all?

Budget

If you have a positive attitude towards sausages, smoked meats and lard (the local version of lard), then be sure to check out this place Speckeria, which is located in the very center of Innsbruck on Hofgasse 3. It is not only a butcher shop, but also a snack bar. Here you can take a large plate of meat products for a reasonable amount and eat it right on the spot.

Afterwards you can go for dessert at Strudel-Cafe Kroell. It is located just a couple of meters from Speckeria. Here you can eat first-class Austrian strudel. It will cost, on average, less than in a restaurant (approximately 3–3.50 EUR).

The hungriest tourists can go to Tiroler Weinstube at Gumppstrasse 38 to order a huge portion of unhealthy and fatty Tyrolean meat food for little money.

Mid-level

A small and stylish restaurant is suitable for the average wallet die Wilderin at Seilergasse 5. Here you can try Austrian and European cuisine with a modern twist.

A little more conservative place - Gasthof Weisses Rossl on Kiebachgasse 8. This is the most traditional Tyrolean restaurant with very reasonable prices.

Expensive

In a hotel Adlers There is an excellent gourmet restaurant that is worth a visit not only for the food. It is located on the twelfth floor glass skyscraper and can surprise visitors with a stunning panorama of the city and mountains.

Another popular and very trendy panoramic restaurant in Innsbruck is Lichtblick. It is located a little lower than Adlers(on the seventh floor of a high-rise building), but the Austrians themselves seem to love it more.

Here are a few more expensive ones good places with traditional cuisine: Das Schindler at Brunecker Strasse 1, Alfred Millers Schoeneck at Weiherburggasse 6 and Europa Stueberl at Suedtiroler Platz 2.

Holidays

The most popular holiday in Innsbruck is, of course, Christmas.

At the city's Christmas market you will find everything you expect to see: gingerbread, mulled wine, sausages, New Year's paraphernalia and souvenirs. But there is also a peculiarity here. These are krampus - terrible monsters with horns and distorted muzzles that grab passers-by by the clothes and generally behave extremely unceremoniously.

If you don’t know about their appearance in advance, you can be seriously scared! Take care of your children and yourself if you have weak nerves. The Austrians themselves, of course, are accustomed to the appearance of such mummers (who, by the way, are the companions of St. Nicholas) and consider it an honor if Krampus touches them.

Safety. What to watch out for

Innsbruck is safe for tourists both day and night. There are few pickpockets and other scammers here. The main danger for visitors to Innsbruck is associated with skiing. But if you follow safety precautions, nothing threatens you here either. If you are not confident in your skiing, choose easy trails. If you are a beginner, be sure to hire an instructor.

Things to do

Hafelekarspitze

Transport rental

You can rent a car for trips in Innsbruck through well-known websites Europcar,Sixt, and it’s more convenient to compare prices. Renting is also possible at the airport. The cheapest car will cost you about 50 EUR per day.

In the center of Innsbruck all possible conditions have been created for motorists. There's really a lot of parking here for something like this. small town. their interactive map.

Driving in Innsbruck is safe - the drivers are disciplined, the roads are excellent. Try to drive carefully and park in designated areas. The fine for illegal parking will be about 40 EUR.

Traffic in Innsbruck is on the right. Pointers are not always duplicated on English language, but the Austrian road signage system is not very different from the Russian one.

Innsbruck: holidays with children

Innsbruck is well suited for holidays with children, not only because of the opportunity to have fun on ice skates and have fun in the snow. There is a lot around the city that your kids will love. You've probably already taken note Ötzi village and "upside down house". In addition, be sure to go to Alpine Zoo- the highest mountain zoo in the world, where the flora and fauna of the region are presented. In addition to close contact with animals (the enclosures are designed so that visitors can see everyone and touch everyone), you will have an excellent panoramic view to the city.

From November to March the zoo is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and from April to October from 9:00 to 18:00. An adult ticket costs 10 EUR, and a child ticket costs 5 EUR.

Ski holiday

Innsbruck is, without exaggeration, a paradise for ski lovers. 285 km await you. descents and 100 km. cross-country ski trails. To get to ski slope from Innsbruck, you don’t even have to leave somewhere. All you have to do is take the funicular you already know Nordkettebahn. The first stop will be the station Seegrube, which is located at an altitude of 2500 meters. By the way, there is a special children's area, Kids Arena. And the zoo, by the way, is located here.

Ski passes

Lifts are an expensive pleasure. A day of skiing in Austrian resorts will cost you approximately 25 EUR (excluding ski rental, of course). But there is a way to save money. Firstly, in some places the same Innsbruck card will give you a small discount. Secondly, the region has developed a whole system of passes that include several ski areas at once. You can even buy

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- You can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

The other day I had a free day. I decided to refresh my Italian everyday life and go to a small Austrian mountain town, also the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, which, by the way, is almost 800 years old. Even taking this into account, the city itself should have been interesting. Before the trip, I looked through the list of interesting things to do in the city. The Olympic jump, the Golden Roof, the funicular station by Zaha Hadid and a long list of attractions.

Panorama of Innsbruck

Despite comments that Innsbruck is quite sad in winter, the weather turned out to be incredibly sunny on this autumn day. In principle, you could walk around in a T-shirt and shorts for half a day.

central square

The sightseeing, of course, began from the main square, which is located in the center of the Gothic old town. Large, beautiful, with tables lined with all kinds of cafes. The square mainly houses shops and shopping centers, inscribed in beautiful Gothic buildings.

central square

In fact, the whole of Innsbruck consists of interesting architectural forms and monuments. I really liked how the houses looked with the walls painted with a theme. This gives them a special charm. I definitely wanted to see the funicular stations designed by the British architect of Iraqi origin Zaha Hadid. They really make an impression, especially when integrated into the city’s architecture. It was as if some futuristic alien spaceships had landed among the buildings of the inhabitants of the earth. Beautiful! In the evening they look even more interesting when illuminated.

Funicular station by Zaha Hadid

Next on the plan was the Golden Roof - the most famous symbol of Innsbruck. It consists of 2,657 gilded copper tiles and was built by order of Kaiser Maximilian I in 1500. The building, whose bay window is covered by the Golden Roof, is located literally a hundred meters from the central square. I can't say that she made a strong impression. The Kaiser did not see the golden domes of churches.

Golden Roof

I heard there is a Swarovski museum not far from Innsbruck, but visiting Swarovski was not part of the task for this day. But I really wanted to get to the Olympic ski jump and observation deck. In principle, in any new city I like to walk a lot, explore the streets and nooks and crannies. So I spent the whole day happily walking around Innsbruck, looking into all sorts of art courtyards with sculptures that I occasionally came across here and there.

Sculptures in Innsbruck

By the way, there are quite a lot of young people in the city. Looks like a good university base here. I walked along one of the buildings with glass walls, through which one could see the multi-story library and the students studying there.

University building

Life in Innsbruck is in full swing

Quite quickly, on foot, I managed to reach the observation deck, where I was able to take a picture of the entire panorama of the city and admire the monument to Andreas Hofer, who fought for independence against the Bavarians and Napoleon.

Panorama of Innsbruck

Further from the site, it’s literally a kilometer to the Olympic ski jump Bergisel (German: Bergiselschanze), which was reconstructed in 2001 and also designed by Zaha Hadid. The jump is very famous for the Four Hills Tournament, the third stage of which takes place in early January on the Bergisel jump.

Springboard Bergisel by Zaha Hadid

In fact, the city is very small, but cozy. An interesting symbiosis of mountain nature and urban culture, which is just a stone's throw away. It is almost impossible to get lost in it. It is very convenient to navigate along the tops of the mountains around. It looks like a good place to spend a week here in winter, skiing and drinking mulled wine.

Mountain peaks around Innsbruck

I completely forgot to write about the first thing I saw on the station platform upon arrival in Innsbruck. This is the Orient Express train. This was the first time I was able to see him up close. Everything inside is antique. Indeed, everything is like in the books about Hercule Poirot. For some reason I associate the Orient Express mainly with detective stories and "

Today we present you an article on the topic: “Innsbruck attractions in one day” with full description where to go and what to see. We also offer interesting comments from travelers.

  • Innsbruck is surrounded on all sides by majestic mountain ranges. First of all, the city is known as a first-class ski resort and the site of three Winter Olympics. As the season begins, numerous skiers and snowboarders flock here to experience the superb slopes.

    However, Innsbruck has much more to offer tourists than just skiing on the snowy slopes. This picturesque Tyrolean city is built up 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 Triumphal Arch on Maria Theresa Street and the Cathedral of St. James are all heritage of the brilliant imperial era, carefully preserved by descendants. Fairytale Museum Swarovski crystals can amaze the most sophisticated imagination, and the magnificent views of the Alpine valleys will remain in the memory for a long time.

    What to see and where to go in Innsbruck?

    The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

    The history of the castle began in the 12th century. He was tough back then 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 completion of construction, the ruler placed his collection of works of art in the castle, many of the exhibits of which are decorated today best museums Austria. Part of the collection remains on the territory of Ambras and is today accessible for inspection.

    A palace complex that belonged to members of the Habsburg dynasty. Until the 14th century, even under the Tyrolean counts, medieval defensive structures were located on its territory. 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 became part of the state. Nowadays, official events are periodically organized in the Hofburg. Part of the palace chambers is given over to the museum.

    The alley is named after Archduchess Maria Theresa of the Garsburg 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 Francis I Stephen of Lorraine. One of the local iconic monuments is the St. Anne's Column from 1706, which commemorates the liberation of Tyrol from the Bavarian army. The obelisk is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary and surrounded by figures of four saints.

    The monument is installed at the entrance on Maria Theresa Street. It was created in 1765 to celebrate the marriage of Archduke Leopold and Princess Marie Louise. However, before the wedding, Maria Theresa's husband Franz I died, so the arch perpetuates not only the 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.

    The residence of the Tyrolean kings, built in the 15th century. It received such a poetic name thanks to the golden-colored tiles that cover the roof of the large external balcony on the front facade. The tiles have survived to this day; over more than five centuries, the covering has undergone only minor reconstructions. Today, on the territory of the residence there is a museum where personal belongings of emperors, court costumes, furniture and household items are exhibited.

    Luxurious mansion with a Rococo façade located in the center of Innsbruck. The building was erected in the 15th century under Frederick IV, modern look it acquired it only in 1730. The Gothic facade of the house was rebuilt by order of its owner J. Fischer. Architect A. Gigl decorated the walls with rich stucco and remodeled the roof, preserving only the arches of the first floor from the original appearance. Helblinghaus is still a residential building.

    The structure 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, etc. Moreover, members of the Innsbruck government worked in rooms inside the tower. The reconstruction of the building was carried out in the 70s. XX century. At the top is located Observation deck, where a staircase of 150 steps leads.

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

    The exhibition 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 Ambras palace, which were later donated to various museums. The Ferdinandeum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts from the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.

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

    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 their numerical superiority, the Tyroleans still managed to defeat the enemy. The exhibition “Panoramas of Tyrol” is dedicated to this heroic feat. A monument to A. Gopher was erected near the museum building.

     

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