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INNSBRUCK ALSTADT


The Italian border was well behind and we were in Austria's Tyrol, close to the Inn valley. On our way to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol....this time by road. The Autobahns were a treat and as we closed in to our destination, we were greeted by the tall mountains and lush green valleys all around.  
Relaxing by the river Inn, Innsbruck is cozily nested within the Nordkette of the Karwendal Alps to the north and Serles and Patscherkofel peaks to the south. The Nordkette is an active tourist destination with it's own cable car systems and ski resorts. But due to time constraints, we had to satisfy ourselves with only a view from a distance. By the time we reached Innsbruck Old Town (Alstadt) it was well past noon. With just one day reserved for Innsbruck, out intent was to grab as much of Innsbruck as possible. The encouraging fact was that almost all the important landmarks were minutes away from each other in the Alstadt. 

The Alstadt has been both... a driver and a witness... of  the center of Tyrol history for more than 800 years. The architecture is suave and delivers a pleasant feeling to the eyes...with notable renaissance and baroque influence. Most of  the monuments that ornate the Alstadt are embedded with the stories and influence of the Holy Roman emperors, particularly Maximilian I.



The most notable among them is the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). This monument was built in 1496 to commemorate the marriage of Maximilian I with Bianca Maria Sforza. From here, the emperor and his family watched the celebrations of the town square. The 2657 gilded copper tiles on this structure still look fresh. Just adjacent to the Golden Roof, sits the royal Hofburg, the old Court Palace. Though originally constructed during the 15th century, the Hofburg owes its present look to Empress Maria Tharessa. Just behind the Golden Roof is the Innbruck Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of St. James. And closeby is the Hofkirche (the Court Church). The Hofkirche is particularly significant as it houses the tomb of Maximilian. 



The Maria Theresien Strasse, which is a short walk straight from the Golden Roof, offers some really gorgeous views of the mountains around. Also visible are the green domes of the two churches and the palace. The Rathaus (Town Hall)  is located here and in front of the town hall sits the beautiful Annasaule (St. Anne's Column). This column was erected in 1706 to commemorate the withdrawal of the Bavarian troops from Tyrol and features St. George, the patrol saint of Tyrol along with St. Anne on the base and a statue of Virgin Mary on the top. 

There are a few other places to visit if time permits, possibly the cable car ride to the Nordkette or a walk by the river Inn. Not to forget that Innsbruck has hosted two winter Olympics. For the sports lovers, the Bergisel's Olympic legacy might be interesting. Also, for the crystal lovers, the Swarovski Kristallwelten is a short drive away. But more important than anything, for the ski enthusiasts,  Innsbruck is an important skiing destination and offers some of the most beautiful ski resorts of Europe, in the Nordkette.

Let me close this post with a mention of a hotel by the name Goldener Adler which is right beside the Golden Roof. More than 600 years of history behind it, this hotel is a part of the Best Western Plus group today. There is a board in this hotel depicting the names of it's guests over the period of last seven centuries. The list starts with the name of Emperor Maximilian I and reads as if the who's who of Europe, over seven centuries had a mission to visit this hotel. Such was the liking for this hotel, that Mozart and his son Wolfgang had reserved a room for themselves here. Goethe loved to visit this hotel, and the room where he stayed later became a meeting point for Tyrolean artists. Tyrol war hero Andreas Hofer who won over the Napoleonic troops during early 19th century delivered his speeches to the freedom fighters here. Later, this hotel was a favorite of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. The list of the famous guests of this hotel is really long - emperors, kings, archdukes, artists, musicians and modern day politicians. If you decide to stay in Innsbruck overnight, do try out this place. It might be an experience in itself.


This post is for alphabet ‘I’ of the #BlogchatterA2Z 2020 challenge:

 I for Innsbruck

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