History comes alive in Innsbruck
23rd November 2006
Found in a valley between the Nordkette and Patscherkofel mountains in the Alps, Centuries-old Innsbruck still commands the attention thanks to the rich cultural history associated with the Tirolean capital.
Innsbruck's initial claim to fame came in the 15th century, when then Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I moved his imperial court to the city. The transfer explains the creation of two of the city's finest monuments – the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Church.
The Palace has experienced a double life as one of Austria's finest examples of architectural brilliance, first via its initial Gothic design and then through the Baroque style that was used when the building was rebuilt in the middle of the 18th century. The vast imperial apartments and lavish Giants' Hall provide an insight into the pomp and circumstance that accompanied European nobility through the ages.
The Imperial Church, meanwhile, now stands as a tribute to both the House of Hapsburg and Maximilian himself, who is depicted in statue form along with 28 of his ancestors.
The city's most memorable landmark is another Tirolean construction, the Golden Roof. This is a lavishly decorated three-story balcony on a medieval building in the heart of Innsbruck's Old Town, with its name deriving from the balcony's golden tiled roof. The balcony was built as a royal box for Maximilian where he could sit comfortably and enjoy tournaments in the square below. Today it's a popular attraction for citizens and visitors alike.
A blend of the old and the new can be found in the shape of the new ski jump tower standing high above the city. Innsbruck's status as a sporting centre prompted the construction of the tower, which is open to the public and provides stunning panoramas of both the lavish architecture and the Alpine backdrop, a sight not to be missed.
© Adfero Ltd
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