Timeline Overview
2019
500 Years of Kaiser Maximilian
The 500th anniversary of the legendary Kaiser’s death is an important event for the city of Innsbruck, due to his shaping of the city’s future. He commissioned the construction of the Golden Roof, Innsbruck’s most famous landmark, and the impressive legacy of the life-size black marble cenotaph in the Hofkirche.
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October 2018
Opening of the new House of Music
Innsbruck architect Erich Strolz's design wins against 126 competitors.
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September 2018
The UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck
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September 2018
IFSC Climbing World Championships in Innsbruck
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December 2017
Opening of the new Patscherkofelbahn cable cars
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September 2017
IFSC World Youth Climbing Championships
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2017
450 Years of Archduke Ferdinand II
The anniversary of the sovereign’s move to Tyrol. The enthusiastic collector commissioned the construction of Ambras Palace and relocated his greatest treasures here. They can still be viewed today.
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June 2017
Crankworx Innsbruck
The Mountain Bike Gravity Festival ensures spectacular action upon its first visit to Innsbruck’s BikePark.
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June 2017
BikePark Innsbruck
Construction of Innsbruck’s BikePark at Muttereralm.
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2017
Opening of Innsbruck’s Climbing Centre
A giant climbing area with indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring modern and diverse climbing fun. Innsbruck’s climbing hall is also a training centre for many top international athletes.
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January 2016
International Children's Winter Games
Innsbruck is the venue of the Olympic Games for Children.
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2012
Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck
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2011
Tirol Panorama Museum at Bergisel with Panoramic Painting
Scenes from the third battle of Bergisel in 1809 against Napoleon and Bavarian troops. Zeno Diemer's artwork from 1896 depicts the fighting at the gates of Innsbruck in 1800 over 1,000 square metres.
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2010
David Chipperfield
Opening of the newly-built, David Chipperfield-designed Kaufhaus Tyrol shopping centre.
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2008–2011
Alles wird gut (Everything will be OK)
Redevelopment of Maria-Theresien-Straße. Designed by the architect team 'Alles wird gut'.
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2008
EURO 2008
The European Football Championships in Innsbruck: Sweden, Russia, Greece and Spain meet each other in Group D.
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2007
Hungerburgbahn
The new Hungerburg funicular enters operation. Worth seeing are the futuristic stations designed by Zaha Hadid.
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2005
The Winter World Student games
In Innsbruck and Seefeld
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2002/03
New constructions in Innsbruck
Rebuilding of the Bergisel ski jump by Zaha Hadid, recipient of the International Architect Prize in 2003/2004. Construction of the Rathuasgalerie by Dominique Perrault in 2004, reconstruction of Innsbruck central train station.
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1964 and 1976
Winter Olympics in Innsbruck
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1964
Formation of the Diocese of Innsbruck
Innsbruck belonged to the Diocese of Brixen until 1919. After South Tyrol's annexation, the papal nunciature in Feldkirch oversaw the congregation. Innsbruck has been an independent diocese since 1964.
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1946/47
Max Weiler
Max Weiler's artwork for the Theresienkirche (St Theresa's) at Hungerburg. His depiction of people dressed in Tyrolean folk costume at Christ's crucifixion causes a scandal.
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1943-45
Bombing
Heavy bombing of Innsbruck, especially the cathedral, Wilten, central station, Maria-Theresien-Straße.
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1929
The first alpine constructions at Seegrube and Hafelekar by Franz Baumann
Preserved in original forms and worth seeing in an award-winning combination with modern extensions.
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1858-84
The railway arrives
Connection to the European rail network (Lower Inn Valley, Brenner and Arlberg)
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1850s
Hofburg Imperial Apartments
In the middle of the 19th century, living quarters for Kaiser Franz Joseph and his consort Elisabeth (Sisi) were erected in ostentatious Rococo style.
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1849
Innsbruck as state capital
Innsbruck replaced Meran (now in South tyrol) as state capital. Before this, Innsbruck was an imperial residence of the Habsburgs (1420-1665).
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1814/15
Returned to Austria
Tyrol returns to Austria. At the Congress of Vienna, Kaiser Franz I wins Tyrol back after 10 years of Bavarian rule.
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1809
Andreas Hofer
Leader of the Tyrolean troops during the four battles of Bergsiel (3 successful) against French-ruled Bavaria. Executed in Mantova in 1810, honoured as a hero to this day.
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1765-1770
Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)
Dedicated to the marriage of Archduke Peter Leopold (Leopold II) to Maria Ludovica in Innsbruck, and to the death of Kaiser Franz I. Reliefs by Balthasar Moll. The construction materials are taken from the demolished medieval city gate.
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1740-1770
Reconstruction of the Hofburg
By Maria Theresia into a 'mini alpine Schönbrunn'. Prominent artists from Vienna, such as Nikolaus Parcassi, Konstantin von Walther and Franz A. Maulbertsch designed the palace in the late-Baroque style.
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1717–1722
The City Parish Church of St Jakob (St James)
New construction of the high-Baroque city parish church of St James by Johann Jakob Herkommer. Painting of Mary of Succor by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Frescos from the legend of St James and stucco by the Asam brothers.
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1703
Annasäule (Column of St Anne)
The Column of St Anne was mounted in gratitude for liberation from the occupying Bavarian army during the War of the Spanish Succession. Masonry work by the Benedetti brothers.
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1669-1803
The House of Lorraine in Innsbruck
Innsbruck becomes a residence of the House of Lorraine, ruling as governors for the Habsburgs. Union of the two dynasties through marriage. From 1736, the double-barrelled name Habsburg-Lorraine is in use after the marriage of Maria Theresia to Francis of Lorraine.
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1669
Foundation of the university
The university carries the name of its founders: Kaiser Leopold I, the first founder, and Francis I, who refounded it after Bavarian occupation in 1826.
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1655-1665
End of the Tyrolean Habsburgs
Sigmund Franz dies as last prince in 1665. Leopold I dissolves the royal court in Innsbruck. Governors are deployed from Vienna.
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1646–1662
Archduke Ferdinand Charles
Engages Cesti as the Royal Court's musical director at the opera house. Visit of the Swedish Queen Christina in 1655, and her conversion to Catholicism. First performance of the opera L'Argia by Pietro Antonio Cesti in her honour.
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1629
The Jesuit Church
New construction of the Jesuit Church by Christoph Gumpp after collapse in 1627. An early-Baroque church with crypt (princely graves of Leopold V's family)
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1626
Claudia de’Medici
Claudia de'Medici marries Archduke Leopold V. Lavish patronage of the arts and court life. From 1632 to 1646, she rules after Leopold's death. The Claudiana, early-Baroque ballroom with coats-of-arms. Claudia introduces bilingualism to the Mercantile Magistrate of Bozen/Bolzano.
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1618–1632
Archduke Leopold V
Founds the 'Comedihaus' - one of the earliest opera houses north of the Alps in 1629 (on the site of the Congress). Brings Lucas Cranach the Elder's painting of Mary of Succor to Innsbruck. Equestrian statue at the Leopold Fountain.
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1602–1618
Archduke Maximilian III
Archduke Maximilian III, Teutonic Knight, Prince of Tyrol and member of the Teutonic Order. Tomb in the Church of St James designed by Caspar Gras. Hermitage at the Capuchins.
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1564–1595
Archduke Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II marries Philippine Welser. Governor in Bohemia, inherits Tyrol and Further Austria. Reconstruction of Ambras into a Renaissance palace, and construction of lower palace for his art collection. Regarded as the oldest museum in central Europe.
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1564–1572
Ambras Palace
Reconstruction of the medieval castle into a palace for Ferdinand II. Spanish Hall built as first stand-alone Renaissance ballroom north of the Alps (1570-72), today a concert hall. Armoury, art chamber, chamber of wonders, bathroom and the Habsburg portrait gallery are popular attractions.
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1502–1584
Tomb of Maximilian I
The Maximilian I tomb project. 28 oversized bronze figures (ancestors and heroes) keep watch, a cenotaph with 24 marble reliefs. The most significant in the German-speaking area. 1553-1563 construction of the Hofkirche under Ferdinand I. Maximilian's grave is, however, in Wiener Neustadt.
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1500
Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)
An alcove balcony, built under Maximilian I. Completed in 1500 with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Decorated with reliefs of Maximilian and his consort, the chancellor, court jester and morisco dancers by Niklas Türing the Elder. Today, the museum functions as a memorial to its founder.
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1490–1519
Maximilian I
Maximilian I takes over Tyrol in 1490. Innsbruck becomes his favourite residence and seat for many government agencies, such as the finance office. Arsenal in the armoury. Assignments for many prominent artists, including Albrecht Dürer.
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1486
Sigismund (rich in coin)
Coinage of the Guldengroschen in Hall, marriage to Eleanor of Scotland. Brings many humanists to the royal court. Extravagance leads to deposition. Start of construction of the Hofburg palace (completed 1500).
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1420
Duke Friedrich IV
'Freddy of the empty pockets' - a nickname given to him due to his support of the wrong papal candidate. Imprisoned by the Council of Constance and loses his lands. Moves the royal court from Meran to Innsbruck, beginning the rise of Innsbruck as a Habsburg seat of power.
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1363
Margarete Maultasch
The last countess of Tyrol, Margarete Maultasch, gives Tyrol to the Habsburgs (Rudolf IV) and not, as expected, to the Wittelsbachs. Start of conflict between Tyrol and Bavaria. The altar at Tyrol Castle recalls these times (1370, check the Tyrolean State Museum).
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1271
The unification of Tyrol
Meinhard II of Gorizia-Tyrol (1238-1295) becomes the first to unite the areas north and south of the Brenner Pass as the 'Princely Duchy of Tyrol'. Founder of the Cistercian Abbey in Stams.
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1248
The Counts of Tyrol
End of the Andechs, political marriage leads to the County of Tyrol. They reside at Tyrol Castle near Meran, the place after which the land is named.
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1186
Innsprugg
Emergence of the market town under the Bavarian Counts of Andechs. Barter agreement with the abbot of Wilten. Construction of the first bridge over the Inn (1186), lending its name to the re-establishment. In 1237, mention as 'urbs oenipons' (City of Innsbruck).
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1128
Wilten Monastery
Premonstratensians come to Wilten. Consecration of the church in 1138. The most important Order in Innsbruck with a large estate. The Abbot of Wilten becomes highest ecclesiatical authority. Bishop's seat in Brixen until 1919.
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1027
Conrad II
Secures a loan from the bishops of Trient and Brixen, princes of the Holy Roman Empire, on the area 'terra intra montes' (Bozen, Vinschgau, Noricum). The bishops give the areas as fiefdoms to nobles. The 'land in the mountains' becomes a bone of contention between rival families. In northern tyrol, the counts of Andechs rule (990-1248).
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6th Century.
Bavarian land grab
Countless Bavarians settle what is now known as Tyrol. The bishop's seat moves in the 10th century from Säben to Brixen.
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15 BC.
Brenner Pass
The road through Brenner is built by Tiberius and Drusus, Augustus' stepsons. Becomes the most important north-south connection in the middle ages. Veldidena becomes the most important Roman supply depot in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Roman veterans settle the lands, ally with the Raeti. Emergence of the Raeti-Romans.
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2019
500 Years of Kaiser Maximilian
October 2018
Opening of the new House of Music
September 2018
The UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck
September 2018
IFSC Climbing World Championships in Innsbruck
December 2017
Opening of the new Patscherkofelbahn cable cars
September 2017
IFSC World Youth Climbing Championships
2017
450 Years of Archduke Ferdinand II
June 2017
Crankworx Innsbruck
June 2017
BikePark Innsbruck
2017
Opening of Innsbruck’s Climbing Centre
January 2016
International Children's Winter Games
2012
Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck
2011
Tirol Panorama Museum at Bergisel with Panoramic Painting
2010
David Chipperfield
2008–2011
Alles wird gut (Everything will be OK)
2008
EURO 2008
2007
Hungerburgbahn
2005
The Winter World Student games
2002/03
New constructions in Innsbruck
1964 and 1976
Winter Olympics in Innsbruck
1964
Formation of the Diocese of Innsbruck
1946/47
Max Weiler
1943-45
Bombing
1929
The first alpine constructions at Seegrube and Hafelekar by Franz Baumann
1858-84
The railway arrives
1850s
Hofburg Imperial Apartments
1849
Innsbruck as state capital
1814/15
Returned to Austria
1809
Andreas Hofer
1765-1770
Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)
1740-1770
Reconstruction of the Hofburg
1717–1722
The City Parish Church of St Jakob (St James)
1703
Annasäule (Column of St Anne)
1669-1803
The House of Lorraine in Innsbruck
1669
Foundation of the university
1655-1665
End of the Tyrolean Habsburgs
1646–1662
Archduke Ferdinand Charles
1629
The Jesuit Church
1626
Claudia de’Medici
1618–1632
Archduke Leopold V
1602–1618
Archduke Maximilian III
1564–1595
Archduke Ferdinand II
1564–1572
Ambras Palace
1502–1584
Tomb of Maximilian I
1500
Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)
1490–1519
Maximilian I
1486
Sigismund (rich in coin)
1420
Duke Friedrich IV
1363
Margarete Maultasch
1271
The unification of Tyrol
1248
The Counts of Tyrol
1186
Innsprugg
1128
Wilten Monastery
1027
Conrad II
6th Century.
Bavarian land grab
15 BC.
Brenner Pass
2019
500 Years of Kaiser Maximilian
October 2018
Opening of the new House of Music
September 2018
The UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck
September 2018
IFSC Climbing World Championships in Innsbruck
December 2017
Opening of the new Patscherkofelbahn cable cars
September 2017
IFSC World Youth Climbing Championships
2017
450 Years of Archduke Ferdinand II
June 2017
Crankworx Innsbruck
June 2017
BikePark Innsbruck
2017
Opening of Innsbruck’s Climbing Centre
January 2016
International Children's Winter Games
September 2015
Neues Haus der Musik entsteht
2015
Demolition of the Civic Halls
2012
Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck
2011
Tirol Panorama Museum at Bergisel with Panoramic Painting
2010
David Chipperfield
2008–2011
Alles wird gut (Everything will be OK)
2008
EURO 2008
2007
Hungerburgbahn
2005
The Winter World Student games
2002/03
New constructions in Innsbruck
1964 and 1976
Winter Olympics in Innsbruck
1964
Formation of the Diocese of Innsbruck
1946/47
Max Weiler
1943-45
Bombing
1929
The first alpine constructions at Seegrube and Hafelekar by Franz Baumann
1858-84
The railway arrives
1850s
Hofburg Imperial Apartments
1849
Innsbruck as state capital
1814/15
Returned to Austria
1809
Andreas Hofer
1765-1770
Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)
1740-1770
Reconstruction of the Hofburg
1717–1722
The City Parish Church of St Jakob (St James)
1703
Annasäule (Column of St Anne)
1669-1803
The House of Lorraine in Innsbruck
1669
Foundation of the university
1655-1665
End of the Tyrolean Habsburgs
1646–1662
Archduke Ferdinand Charles
1629
The Jesuit Church
1626
Claudia de’Medici
1618–1632
Archduke Leopold V
1602–1618
Archduke Maximilian III
1564–1595
Archduke Ferdinand II
1564–1572
Ambras Palace
1502–1584
Tomb of Maximilian I
1500
Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)
1490–1519
Maximilian I
1486
Sigismund (rich in coin)
1420
Duke Friedrich IV
1363
Margarete Maultasch
1271
The unification of Tyrol
1248
The Counts of Tyrol
1186
Innsprugg
1128
Wilten Monastery
1027
Conrad II
6th Century.
Bavarian land grab
15 BC.
Brenner Pass
