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afternoon
8°C/46°F
10% Fineweather
1700m
Frostborder

Friday

Friday
15°C/59°F
60% Fineweather
2400m
Frostborder

Saturday

Saturday
23°C/73°F
80% Fineweather
3100m
Frostborder

Forecast

An area of low pressure is spreading over Central Europe and we are under its influence, unfortunately. We will therefore see changing, but mostly dense cloud with occasional showers.

Tendency

Behind today’s weather fronts, the airflow will quickly swing to the south and bring us once again warm, subtropical air masses. Under the influence of foehn winds, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be warm.

Need help? Contact us!

Innsbruck Tourism


Mon - Fri: 8.00 am - 5.00 pm

Hotel- and group reservations


Mon - Fri: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tourist info


Mo - Fr: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

afternoon
8°C/46°F
10% Fineweather
1700m
Frostborder

Friday

Friday
15°C/59°F
60% Fineweather
2400m
Frostborder

Saturday

Saturday
23°C/73°F
80% Fineweather
3100m
Frostborder

Forecast

An area of low pressure is spreading over Central Europe and we are under its influence, unfortunately. We will therefore see changing, but mostly dense cloud with occasional showers.

Tendency

Behind today’s weather fronts, the airflow will quickly swing to the south and bring us once again warm, subtropical air masses. Under the influence of foehn winds, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be warm.

Need help? Contact us!

Innsbruck Tourism


Mon - Fri: 8.00 am - 5.00 pm

Hotel- and group reservations


Mon - Fri: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tourist info


Mo - Fr: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

INNSBRUCK AND THE HABSBURG ERA

Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I.

The Habsburgs ruled Europe for almost 800 years, were the most powerful ruling dynasty and significantly shaped the world. They were responsible for expansion, progress, war and marital politics. Their century-long rule of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was defined by their accomplishments – and their demise.

The world-famous Habsburg Imperial family also left its mark on Innsbruck. The Imperial Palace, the Court Church, the Golden Roof and Ambras Castle are valuable reminders of the time. The city was also shaped by the associated cultural and political influences. Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) made Innsbruck the centre of his vast empire around 1500. At this time, he implemented the Chamber of Finance and had everything come together in this seat of royal power. Emperor Maximilian I didn’t choose Innsbruck at random – he was an adventurer who loved hunting and the majestic peaks of the Tyrolean Alps.

The empty tomb

As the Emperor got older, he became concerned about preserving his legacy. He wanted to make himself immortal and so he arranged for an enormous tomb to be built. The tomb was eventually finished but no man was ever laid to rest here. The Court Church, where the tomb was to be located, was only completed 40 years after the death of Emperor Maximilian I.

Today, 28 impressive bronze figures – the “Schwarzen Mander” (Black Men) – mourn the empty table tomb, while Innsbruck and its visitors enjoy this exceptional work of art. Significant marble reliefs on the cenotaph portray Maximilian I – who was actually buried at his father’s castle in Wiener Neustadt – as a great ruler and founder of the Habsburg Empire.

The Golden Roof

Prestige was clearly very important for Emperor Maximilian I. However, this was by no means unusual for the time. Gold, splendour and luxury were attributes that made a very clear statement back then, just as they do today: I’m a VIP. So it was that Emperor Maximilian I decided to draw attention to his favourite place in Innsbruck, the loggia of his alcove balcony on the main square. He had the roof covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles and this had the desired effect – the Golden Roof has become one of Innsbruck’s most famous landmarks and still enchants visitors today. The relief portrays the Emperor & his two wives, his jester & courtier and the year 1500.

Emperor Maximilian I was also a visionary: He had the entire old town renovated between 1490 and 1520 based on “maximilianischer” building code. This specified that only stone buildings with fire partition walls were allowed to be built. So we actually have Emperor Maximilian I to thank for the fact that the appearance of the colourful old town hasn’t changed or lost any of its incomparable charm today. 

Ambras Castle

Originally built as a medieval fortress, Ambras Castle was remodelled in the 16th century into a comfortable Renaissance castle with magnificent gardens. Archduke Ferdinand II (1529-1595) lived within these splendid walls with his wife, the beautiful Philippine Welser.

During this time, he also had one of the oldest surviving museums built – his extensive collection of armour, weapons, works of art and curiosities can still be admired in the museum today. The royal banquet hall now serves as an exceptional concert venue during the summer months.

The Imperial Palace

The “Little Schönbrunn of the Alps” - this is how Empress Maria Theresa (1717-1780) referred to the Imperial Palace in Innsbruck, which she had rebuilt in a late baroque style. She wanted something more in keeping with the times than the late medieval building that was previously located on this spot. Her son celebrated his wedding here in 1765 but the multi-week spectacle came to an abrupt end due to the sudden and unexpected passing of Maria Theresa’s husband, Emperor Francis I. The Grand Hall was swiftly transformed into a Memorial Hall. Today, this hall is home to impressive ceiling frescos by F. A. Maulbertsch and portraits of the Imperial family. In the second half of the 19th century, the Imperial Apartments were completely refurnished for Empress Elisabeth; naturally according to the current fashion of the time. Today, visitors can admire all this and also enjoy an insight into the lives of the Habsburgs. It’s even free of charge for Innsbruck Card holders.

MAXIMILIAN’S LEGACY OUTSIDE OF INNSBRUCK

An abbey and school under one historic roof

The royal crypt of Stams Abbey, which is located just thirty kilometres away from Innsbruck, is home to the remains of Emperor Maximilian’s second wife, Bianca Maria Sforza. Bianca died at the age of 38 and in the 1680s, a gold-plated statue in the grand burial site was dedicated to her memory.

Stams Abbey is also well known as the venue of a meeting between Emperor Maximilian I and the Turkish Sultan Bayezid II. This meeting in the Upper Inn Valley helped to lay the foundation for peace between occidental Christianity and the Ottoman Empire. From 12 April 2019, the building will host a special exhibition on Emperor Maximilian and his connections with Stams Abbey.

Nowadays, the magnificent building is still used as a Cistercian abbey and a museum. It is also home to several schools, for example the Skigymnasium Stams, a secondary school specialising in skiing excellence. Past pupils of the private school have won more than 300 Olympic and World Championship medals, thus making it a top institution for Austrian winter sport success.e.

Emperor Max saves a species of trout

Emperor Maximilian’s favourite hobbies included climbing, fishing and hunting, the latter two of which he particularly liked to pursue in Kühtai and the Sellrain Valley. In order to be able to enjoy fishing up high in the mountains, Maximilian had river trout released into the mountain lakes, for example the Gossenköllesee located more than 2,400 m above sea level in Kühtai. Nowadays, river trout all over the world are genetic hybrids. However, the fish in the Gossenköllesee lake come solely from the Danube river basin and have therefore become a kind of genetic library, all thanks to the Emperor’s love of fishing!

A hunting lodge from the times of Emperor Maximilian

The “Jagdschloss Kühtai” hunting lodge is a building that is still reminiscent of imperial times. Emperor Maximilian was particularly fond of the lodge for indulging in his passion of "Gesjaiden" chamois hunting. The building itself is shaped like a typical farm from the Upper Inn Valley and has a truly magnificent interior. The lodge is now home to a comfortable hotel that was owned by the great-great-grandchild of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) of Austria until 2015. Our tip: The hotel’s sun terrace is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee.

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