Innsbruck is located in the infamous Inn Valley at the intersection of major traffic routes between Vienna and Switzerland and between Italy and Germany. Being Austria’s most popular year-round destination, Innsbruck still retains the medieval old town appearance featuring narrow twisting streets as well as tall houses in the Late Gothic styles. A majority of Innsbruck attractions are near the Old Town, whose narrow twisting paths provide tourists with an avalanche of things to see and activities to do.
The Emperor’s Tomb and Innsbruck Hofkirche
The Hofkirche court church was constructed and completed in 1563 in the Late Gothic style. This 3-aisled church featuring narrow chancel and an off-centered tower, features even more breathtaking interior features. Of particular is its 18th century high alter along with side alters, and a 17th century choir screen. However, The Tomb and Museum of the Emperor Maximilian I, is the most important part of the church. Constructed in the 16th century, the Tomb is thought to be the works of German Renaissance sculpture.
The Golden Roof
Among the attractions worth sightseeing in Innsbruck, include the arcaded Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse which is lined with old houses, and enters the Old Town from the south making straight for the infamous Golden Roof. Made up of more than 2600 glided copper tiles, the Roof’s lower balustrade is decorated richly with coats of arms, while the open balcony above it shows about ten figural reliefs.
The Hofburg
Hofburg, Innsbruck’s Old Court Palace, was a formal imperial dwelling initially constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries and later remodeled in Rococo and Baroque style in the 18th century. The remodeling was done on request from Empress Maria Theresa. You can view the palace better on a guided tour. The palace includes luxurious apartments with fine painted ceilings.
The Old Town
The semicircular quarter of Innsbruck Old Town, set aside by a ring of paths termed as Graben, is currently a pedestrian area, where you should enjoy strolling 800 years back in history. With its beautiful doorways, narrow house fronts, buttressed medieval houses, arcaded-facades, and oriel windows, the Old Town features finest examples of southern influences, Tyrolese architecture, and sumptuous Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance buildings.
The Cathedral of St. James
In the Innsbruck Cethedral, which was formerly St. James Church Parish, was moved to a cathedral status in 1964. Popular for its dome over the choir and imposing twin-towered west front, it was designed in the Baroque style in 1724 and reconstructed fully after World War II.
Innsbruck is full of breathtaking tourist attractions and you can be sure you won’t get it wrong visiting the Old Town. The city has much to offer for anyone interested in Baroque and Renaissance architecture.
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