The world-famous Goldene Dachl (“Golden Roof”) in the middle of the Innsbruck Old Town and only a few minutes away from the hotel by foot is regarded as the landmark of the Tyrolean provincial capital. Emperor Maximilian commissioned the gilding of the 2,657 roof shingles around the year 1500. The building’s stately oriel served purposes of representation and as a demonstration of the emperor’s power.

The Annasäule (“St. Anne’s Column”) was named after St. Anne’s Day from 26 July 1703 during the period of the War of the Spanish Succession. The Bavarian troops who had invaded Tyrol were able to be driven out on this day. As thanks the inhabitants erected the St. Anne’s Column, which is located in the middle of Innsbruck stately boulevard, Maria Theresienstraße.

The Hofgarten (“Court Gardens”) with its splendidly arranged park was created in the early 15th century, and has also been accessible to the public since the 19th century. Summer concerts are held in the centrally located music pavilion, and the cosy Hofgartencafe under old chestnut trees invites visitors to stay a while.

Opening hours: 07.45 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 16.45
The Palmenhaus (“House of Palms) is located on the east side of the Court Gardens and regularly accommodates exhibitions. A plant collection of approx. 1,700 different species is presented in three different temperature zones on a floor space of 500 m².

Opening hours: 09.00 – 17.00
The following premises are closed in 2008: “Theresa’s Hall”, “Guard Hall”, “Lorraine Room” and chapel area.

The Imperial Court Fortress was the seat of Tyrolean sovereigns. Built as a medieval fortress and expanded by Emperor Maximilian I, the building already obtained its current size in the 15th century. In the 18th century, Empress Maria Theresa converted the Imperial Court Fortress into a Late Baroque residence in two construction phases. The State Apartments with the Huge Hall (with portraits of Maria Theresa’s children and their spouses), the Imperial Apartments and the Chapel can be viewed by visitors.

The “Triumphal Arch” was erected in 1765 on the occasion of the wedding of Archduke Leopold, the son of Empress Maria Theresa, with the Spanish Princess Maria Ludovica. But Maria Theresa’s husband Franz Stephan of Lorraine died unexpectedly during the festivities on 18 August 1976. In addition to wedding motifs of the young bridal couple on the south side, the façade of the Triumphal Arch has since then immortalised the mourning motifs commemorating the emperor’s death on the north side.

The richly adorned baroque building in the Innsbruck Old Town was built during the period 1717 – 1724 on the site of already existing older churches. Amongst other things, the bishopric of the archdiocese Tyrol also accommodates the tomb of Archduke Maximilian III.

The Bergisel hill is regarded as the pivotal location of the formation Tyrolean identify. The four famous Battles of Bergisel took place under peasant leader Andreas Hofer against the Bavarian and French occupiers during the Tyrolean War of Liberation from 1809. Whereas the first 3 battles ended in favour of the Tyrolean peasants, the decisive 4th battle was lost.

Since the 19th century, several memorial sites – such as the Andreas Hofer Memorial, the Chapel with the Imperial Riflemen’s Memorial Grave and the Imperial Riflemen’s Museum – have been erected. The Landesgedächtniskapelle (“Provincial Memorial Chapel”) with the “Tyrolean Book of Honour”, which contains the names of all fallen Tyroleans from 1796 – 1945, also belongs to the museum. The observation pavilion behind the museum offers a wonderful view of the city and the Nordkette (“North Chain”) mountain range lying behind it.

The new ski jumping tower by start architect Zaha Hadid thrones majestically on the historic Bergisel. A ski jump was erected at this location for the first time in 1925. The Olympic flam was ignited here during the Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976. The restaurant and the visitor’s platform in the tower offer a fascinating 360 degree panorama of Innsbruck and its mountain world.

Technical data:
Overall height: 134 m
Tower height: 50 m
Approach length: 91.3 m
Jump speed: 92 km/h
Stadium capacity: 26,000 spectators
Ski jump record: Adam Malysz (POL), 136 m (2004)

The Wilten Basilica, parish & pilgrimage church, is amongst the Innsbruck artistic gems. The “Our Dear Lady Church”, to which a brisk pilgrimage movement commended, was mentioned in a document for the first time in 1259. The church building was renovated several times until the basilica in today’s existing form emerged in the period 1751 – 1755.

Ambras Castle is amongst the most important places of interest in the provincial capital. Its cultural-historic importance is inseparable with the Habsburgs, particularly associated with the personality of Archduke Ferdinand II (1529 – 1595). Residential rooms, armouries, art chambers and “wonder chambers” have been reconstructed for the current exhibitions. In the Hochschloss (“High Castle) there is a gallery with Habsburg portraits and effigies ranging from Albrecht III to Emperor Franz I.

The approx. 20 hectare park extends around Ambras Castle, which is located in the east of Innsbruck. The park was created in the course of the conversions of the medieval fortress into a summer residence of Archduke Ferdinand II and his wife Philippine Welser. In the last 30 years several new gardens have emerged, which have been arranged as a landscape garden and left in their natural state as a game preserve.

The Stadtturm (“City Tower”) from Innsbruck was built 1442 – 1450 to a large extent as a visible town hall tower, which received its spire (still visible today) approx. 100 years later. The tower guard’s dwelling was located underneath up until the 1960’s. The 148 steps lead to a wonderful view of the Old Town and the surrounding mountain panorama.

A visit to the Bell Museum conveys an interesting combination of bell foundry, museum and “sound room”.

Closed at the moment due to renovation!

The regimental museum of the [imperial & royal] Tyrolean Imperial Riflemen (1816 – 1918) presents the history of this unit. Amongst other things, uniforms, weapons and documentations will be exhibited. Extensive collections of paintings, flags and weapons from the Andreas Hofer era as well as from the history Tyrol introduce the visitors deep into the alpine emotional life.

In the Goldene Dachl building there are 6 show rooms which document the era of Emperor Maximilian I around the year 1500. Thanks to ultramodern technology, the visitors will be introduced right to the middle of life in late medieval Tyrol.

The museum offers a deep insight into Tyrol’s cultural history. The exhibits include, amongst other things, the precious mineralogical collection, a video installation with an alpine flight as well as a sound room with over 100 CDs to be heard.

Closed at the moment!
The Battle of Bergisel from 13 August 1809 is depicted on a canvas area of 1,000 m². Under the leadership of Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolean rebellion was able to defeat the militarily inferior Napoleonic and Bavarian occupation troops on a short-term basis. the Round Painting is a unique work of art with a strong perspective effect. In addition to the historic battle scenes, it offers a view of the old Innsbruck, the capital city of the Alps. The battle scenes will be moved to the new building at Bergisel in the end of 2009.

The Tyrolean Provincial Museum Ferdinandeum was established in 1823 and accommodates numerous works of art from the early Middle Ages via the Baroque Era to the era of Modernity. In addition to the significant Dutch Gallery, works by Paul Troger, Albin Egger Lienz and Egon Schiele find a worthy setting. The collection of ancient historical findings and the Roman era as well as the music room with violins from Jakob Stainer complete the permanent exhibition offer, which will be supplemented through alternating temporary thematic exhibitions.

Closed until 18 May 2009.

The building was constructed 1553 – 1563 by the Franciscans as “Neues Stift” (“New Religious Foundation”), and since 1929 has served as a museum for the most significant ethnic collection of the Alpine region with parlours, furniture pieces, folkloric costumes, rustic tools, carnival masks and Christmas nativity cribs. The most beautiful heritage museum in Europe with its rich holdings provides a unique insight in to the varied folk culture of the province and its inhabitants. By means of headphones the visitor can listen to Tyrolean folk music matching the respective exhibition areas. At the same time, this partially concerns historic recordings from a collection encompassing over 10,000 titles.