Sights of Innsbruck – TOP-20 places, photo, description, map, what to see in Innsbruck
One of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Austria, the administrative center of the Tyrolean federal state of Innsbruck is interesting for its cultural, sports and tourist traditions. This amazing city, filled with architectural and historical monuments, annually hosts festivals of early music, 2 times it was the arena of the Winter Olympics and other international sports competitions.
Ambras Castle
Luxurious castle complex, built in the 16th century. – the merit of one of the most enlightened rulers of the Habsburg dynasty, Duke Ferdinand II, who patronizes the development of science and art in the country. The palaces, whose decoration is admired, were built to house priceless antiques, paintings, sculptures and other arts. Now the Upper Castle is a magnificent gallery of portraits of members of the Habsburg family, painted by the most eminent painters of that era, Van Dyck, Titian, Velazquez and others.
The lower castle is a receptacle for objects of various types of art, unusual curiosities, tools, devices (Chamber of Arts and Curiosities); knightly armor, weapons (Armory). A walk through the adjacent park is a delight from French and English design, from colorful flower beds, an artificial lake inhabited by waterfowl and peacocks living on the banks. Those who come to Ambras Castle in summer can listen to baroque music concerts.
Opening hours: every day, from 10.00 to 17.00. Ticket price: adult – 10 €, children under 19 years old – b / n.
Basilica and Monastery of Wilten
At the foot of the Bergisel hill (outskirts of Innsbruck) there are legendary objects – the monastery and the church of Wilten, built in the 13th century. Tradition says that this monastery was built by the dragon-slayer German giant Haymon as a token of his guilt for the murder of Tyrsus, the Tyrolean giant. The current monastery has not retained the original appearance of the external design, subjected to changes in the Baroque style in the 17-18th century. After the destruction of the 2nd World War, the monastery acquired its final form at the end of the 20th century, revealing its bright beauty to the world.
There are ancient monuments, authentic ruins of Romanesque and Gothic buildings, the Abbey Museum, a stunning silver and gold statue of the giant Haymon. The grandiose building of the eponymous basilica, rebuilt several times, also pleases the eye with a luxurious facade and dazzlingly beautiful interior decoration. Floors and benches made of marble, elegant lace stucco, highly artistic paintings of walls and ceilings, a magnificent altar with a statue of St. Mary – everything makes you freeze with admiration!
Opening hours: every day, 07.00 – 19.00, except for masses, where tourists are not allowed. Entrance b / n, donations are allowed.
Hofburg Imperial Palace
A monumental building with round towers on the sides, impressive in its grandeur – a symbol of the mighty greatness of the Roman Empire, the residence of its rulers was erected in 1460. The dazzling white facades of the palace, decorated in the Baroque and Rococo styles, emerald green domes amaze with their external splendor. The 4 wings of the palace contain 25 apartments, decorated with the same luxury and splendor. The Hofburg underwent one reconstruction in the 18th century. by decree of the enlightened Empress Maria Theresa, when Gothic elements were replaced by baroque and rococo decor.
The latest renovation (1990) made the Imperial Palace a convenient tourist attraction. There is something to see here: a huge collection of classical portraits and paintings, unique furniture, tapestries, carpets, stunning mirrors, wall frescoes, artistic carvings and chasing – testify to the enormous wealth of the Habsburg dynasty. The portraits of Maria Theresa and her 16 descendants are impressive.
Opening hours: every day, 09.00-17.30 (from September to June); 09.00-18.00 (July-August). Entrance price: adults – 28.80 €, children – 17 €. Innsbruck Card holders – no.
Maria Theresa street
Pedestrian street, analogue of the Moscow Arbat, st. Maria Theresa is a favorite place for shopping and walking, relaxing in cozy cafes with a cup of Austrian branded coffee. Like a bright mosaic of a colored kaleidoscope, historical buildings lined up on both sides of the street – charming architectural monuments that captivate the eye with the beauty of design. Exotic dwarf trees bloom in huge tubs as a floristic decoration against the backdrop of a perfectly lined granite pavement.
Once a modest rural street in the 16th and 17th centuries, it began to be built up with luxurious baroque palaces that belonged to the local nobility, who wanted to settle closer to the gates of St. Jorgen. Particularly prominent in a series of buildings are the Gumpp Palace, which houses the parliament of Tyrol; Trapp Palace, with a cozy courtyard and a cafe. Noteworthy is the Arc de Triomphe, decorated with gilded molding, the chapel of St. George and the column of St. Anna, made of stone and decorated with graceful sculptures of the saint and angels. A trip to the picturesque shopping galleries “Kaufhaus Tirol” and “Pathhouse Passage” will please you.
Helblinhaus
This architectural masterpiece, which is an outstanding monument of the 15th-17th centuries, is located on the street. Duke Friedrich next to another notable building – a house with a “golden roof”. Now the Helblinghaus is an ordinary residential building with an unusual decoration of the facade, when the entire space under the windows is occupied by ornate stucco patterns of pinkish-gold color in the most daring rococo style. The building of the house is a true work of architecture and art of artistic stucco work. The Helblinghaus is available for external inspection at any time of the day, tourists cannot go inside.
Panorama Tyrol Museum
There is a sacred place for the Tyroleans in Innsbruck, similar to the Russian Borodino Panorama. Museum “Panorama of Tyrol”, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the liberation battle of the Tyroleans against the troops of Napoleon (1809), is located on the Bresigel hill. In fact, this is a museum complex, consisting of separate expositions that capture different moments of the fateful battle. The central part of the panorama directly depicts the events of the battle: close combat, the attack of the French infantry, episodes of the heroic deeds of the Tyroleans, etc.
Everyone can find out the details of interest with the help of an interactive screen installed next to each section of the panorama. Sculptures of individual participants in the battle, famous for their courage and selflessness, are installed here. In the adjacent park there is a monument to the leader of the insurgent peasants Andreas Gofer with a patriotic inscription “For God, Emperor and Fatherland”. 4 sections of the grandiose exposition illustrate in detail the history of the development of Tyrol.
Visiting times: Mon. – Saturday, 09.00 – 18.00, Sunday. – 10.00 – 16.30. Innsbruck Card holders – no.
City tower in Innsbruck
In a close row of buildings on the street. Duke Frederick, there is a rare building of the city tower of the 15th century. It is distinguished by the height of its gray pyramid, topped with a round tower with the same round dome. The tower was erected as a sentinel, from where the heralds informed the townspeople about the events that had taken place, indicated the exact time and warned of danger. Public executions, fairs and other public events were held at the foot.
From the observation deck, located at a height of 31 meters, you can climb up and view the wonderful panorama of the city and the Alpine peaks shining with snow. If you wish, you can rent a chamber hall (for 15 people) and admire the panorama, combining it with a delicious Austrian feast.
Visiting times: every day, 10.00 – 20.00 (June-September); 10.00 – 17.00 (October-May). Entrance ticket: adult – 3 €, children – 1.5 €, non-refundable – with Innsbruck Card.
Tyrolean Folk Art Museum
Popular among tourists, the Museum of Folk Art fully reflects the national applied art of the Tyroleans, endowed with different talents. The 22 halls of the museum are located in the former Franciscan monastery with the adjoining Hofkirche church. Some expositions are rooms with accurate medieval interiors, furnished with authentic furniture and household items from past eras.
Here you can see simple and intricate handicrafts, jewelry, embroidered Tyrolean costumes, national musical instruments, unusually shaped boats, samples of ancient weapons, ritual masks. Walking through the halls of the museum, you can get a vivid idea of one of the most interesting peoples of Europe – the Tyroleans.
Opening hours: every day, 09.00 – 17.00. Entrance price: adults – 10 €, children – 6 €.
Museum Ferdinandium
The Tyrolean State Museum bears the name of Duke Ferdinand, a famous collector-ethnographer who devoted his life to researching the history of Tyrol. A rich collection of various exhibits, collected by the Duke, found its place in the oldest national museum, opened in 1823. Over the past years, the expositions of the Ferdinand Museum have expanded significantly, replenished with new exhibits from prehistoric eras to the present.
Here are the remains of fossil mammoths, ancient fossils and manuscripts, primitive tools, medieval household items, musical instruments, furniture from different centuries. Art lovers will appreciate the magnificent collection of paintings by great European artists, marble statues by famous sculptors. Walking through the halls of the museum, you can visually feel the 30-thousand-year history of the Tyrolean land.
Opening hours: 09.00-17.00 (in winter – until 16.00) daily, except Monday. Ticket price: adult – 11€, children – 8€.
golden roof
A kind of museum with the conditional name “golden roof” is an ancient building of the residence of the rulers of Tyrol, built in the Gothic style by order of Archduke Frederick IV (early 15th century). The house with the “golden roof” is a symbol of medieval splendor and incredible wealth of the ruling elite. Actually, not the whole house is covered with such a roof, but only the balcony, from which Emperor Maximilian I liked to watch jousting tournaments. To please the sovereign, the Archduke ordered that the roof of the balcony be made of copper plates covered with gold (2657 pieces).
In addition to the dazzlingly shining roof, intricate patterns on 3 balconies, skillfully carved spiers in the form of figured turrets of the upper tier, and amazing painting of the lower tier attract attention. On the balcony balustrade there are state emblems of all regions of Maximilian's empire, the coat of arms of the empire. The exposition of the museum “tells” about the important historical milestones of Tyrol.
Visiting times: every day, 10.00-17.00 (May-September); Tuesday-Sunday (October-April).
Crystal worlds «Swarovski»
The original museum, opened in the suburb of Innsbruck Wattens, for the 100th anniversary of the famous Swarovski company, is located in a rocky cave guarded by a stone giant with fiery eyes and a waterfall flowing from his mouth. The Austrian artist Heller, while working on the project, probably drew an analogy with Sinbad's cave. The museum really resembles a magical treasury filled with sparkling crystals.
A glass tunnel leads to the expositions, the walls of which are dotted with aphorisms of philosophers and sages about crystals and crystal, which precede the inspection of treasures. An impressive excursion for many ends with a visit to a store where you can buy some souvenir or a unique piece of jewelry of the author's work. You can get to the museum by bus, which departs hourly from 09.10 am from the central station (platform D). Shuttles run every 2 hours (from 09.00 to 17.00).
The museum is open: every day, from 09.00 to 18.30. Entrance price: adults – 19 €, children (from 6 to 14 years old) – 7.5 €, children (from 5 years old) – without payment.
Cathedral of Saint James
Amazingly beautiful baroque cathedral, located next to the Hofburg Palace, was erected in the 18th century. and, by right, is considered not only the most amazing temple in Europe, but also an unsurpassed architectural masterpiece. The Cathedral of St. James is a tall grandiose structure, decorated with 2 figured domed towers, round windows and numerous elegant bas-reliefs.
The luxurious exterior is matched by the interior design, with magnificent frescoes, wall and ceiling stucco decorations, and many stunning sculptures. The altar wall is decorated with the artistic masterpiece of the German painter Cranach “Our Lady”, there are other priceless works of art here. The property of the temple is a huge metal organ, sparkling with the brilliance of gold.
Visiting hours: (in winter), Mon-Sat, from 7.30 to 18.30, Sun – from 8.00 to 18.30. in summer – Mon-Sat, from 7.30 to 19.30, Sun – 08.00-19.30. Entrance – b / p.
Hofkirche church
Next to the Hofburg Palace is a majestic Gothic building erected in memory of Emperor Maximilian I – the Hofkirche Church. The construction took 30 years, so the appearance of the building reflected 3 architectural styles: the external facade of the church is Gothic, the central portal is in the Renaissance style, and the interiors are decorated in the spirit of the Baroque. The luxurious decoration of the church reflects the grandeur and wealth of the Roman Empire of that era. The cenotaph (symbolic grave) of Maximilian, made of black marble, is richly decorated with bronze bas-reliefs, monumental sculptures and bronze monuments of the 28 ancestors of the emperor.
The German Renaissance cenotaph took 80 years to build. In the ancient chapel, the altar of the Virgin Mary is made of high-grade silver. Here lie the remains of Archduke Ferdinand II, the national hero of the Tyroleans Hofer. The pride of the church is 2 organs, one of which in the form of a “swallow's nest” is half a millennium old.
Visiting hours: 09.00-17.30 (July-August); 09.00-17.00 (September-June). Entrance price: adults – 3 €, student – 2 €, school – 1.5 €.
Hofgarten park
A 600-year-old park on the outskirts of the Old Center is an urban recreation area, a landscaped garden, and a venue for numerous events. Trees planted by Empress Maria Theresa (18th century) still grow in it, and a pavilion of that era operates. Picturesque ponds, a palm house (17 thousand species of living plants), playgrounds attract locals and tourists here. This is the only park where you can freely walk along the lawns, admiring the beautiful landscape scenery.
Admission is free every day, visiting the “Palm House” – on weekdays.
Grassmayr Bell Museum
In the grand museum-workshop “Grassmayr” you can not only see the richest collection of various bells, but also get acquainted with the process of their manufacture. 14 generations of the Grassmayr family have been skilled craftsmen in casting bells of high sound quality and durability. Technological subtleties of manufacturing have survived to this day and remain secret from outsiders, so Grassmayr bells continue to be cast in existing workshops.
The museum's collection – hundreds of bells from the smallest to giant bells – amazes with its variety of shapes, sizes and brilliance. In addition to bells, expositions demonstrate various tools, professional equipment, and all kinds of devices. In the foundry, you can observe the production stages of creating a true masterpiece of steel and copper.
Visiting hours: year-round Mon-Fri, 09.00-17.00, from May to October also open on Saturdays, 9.00-17.00. Entrance price – adult. – 8 €, children (from 6 to 14) – 5 €, group (from 15 people) – 5 €.
Triumphal Arch
Unlike the triumphal arches of other cities, the Innsbruck arch was erected by Empress Maria Theresa not in honor of a military victory, but as a sign of mourning for her deceased husband Franz. It is noteworthy that his death occurred during the wedding of their son, so the design of the majestic building reflected 2 opposite feelings – sadness and joy. The northern part is decorated with symbols of love and happiness, while the southern part is decorated with mourning signs and mournful sculptures. In general, Triumfforte makes a strong impression.
Alpine zoo
The uniqueness of the Innsbruck Zoo is not only its high-altitude (727 m) location on the slope of the Nordkette, but also a narrow theme: only the inhabitants of the local fauna are represented here. Under ideal conditions, the Alpine Zoo contains over 2,000 different animals and birds (150 species).
Open enclosures with through passages, transparent terrariums allow visitors to freely and safely observe the pets of the zoo. The fresh water aquarium (230 thousand liters) contains fish and amphibians of local species. A 12-meter panoramic window shows the underwater world in all its glory.
Opening hours: 09.00-18.00 (Apr.-Oct.); 09.00-17.00 (March-November). Ticket price: adults – 9 €, children (4-5 years old) – 2 €, (6-15 years old) – 4.5 €; students and pensioners – 7 €.
Funicular Hungary
Incredible pleasure can be experienced by climbing the ultra-modern Hungerburgbahn, named after one of the mountain peaks. From the center of the Old Town you climb up in 8 minutes and find yourself in the amazing world of alpine landscapes of the Hungerburg peak.
Going to another station, you climb Mount Seegrube. And you can climb directly from the city to the Havelerkar observation deck (height 2300 m) to see the stunning panorama of Tyrol. Everything here is admirable: the avant-garde design of the funicular, stations, entertainment programs, unforgettable impressions!
Opening hours: weekdays – 07.15-19.15; weekends and holidays. – 08.00-19.15, on Friday evening flights – 18.00-23.00.
Ticket price: (round trip), adults 4.4€, pence. – 6.6 €, teenagers (14-19) – 5.9 €; children (under 14) – 4.1 €; up to 6 years – b / n.
Cable car Nordkettenbahn
A dizzying journey to the Alpine peak of Hafelekar (2269 m above sea level) is made by those who go there by the Nordkettenbahn cable car leading from the Congress station (next to the Golden Roof). The upgraded lift is extremely reliable and comfortable, modern trailers are as convenient as possible, the views below delight with unearthly beauty! A visit to the “Alpine Zoo”, “Railway Museum” will add positive emotions.
Opening hours: every day – 09.00-17.00. Ticket price: adult – from 4 €.
Springboard “Bergisel”
Among the spiky greenery of the coniferous forest of the hill of the same name, there is the legendary Bergisel ski jump, with its platform resembling a UFO. The Olympic flame lit up on it 2 times, the best skiers of the planet made unimaginable pirouettes. Here, after reconstruction (2002), which made the ski jump a high-class sports facility, skiers of various categories are still training.
But it is also accessible to ordinary people, who can have a good rest here, sit in a cafe, take a walk around, admire the surrounding views from above and watch the training. If you wish, you can visit the Bresigel office (when there is no competition).
Opening hours: every day (except Tuesday) – 10.00-17.00 (November-May); 09.00-18.00 (June-October). Tickets – adults – 9.5 €, children – 4.5 €.
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