Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol in western Austria. With a current population of 125,00 or so, the city lies in a broad valley where the Sill and Inn Rivers merge. LIterally, Innsbruck means "bridge over the Inn." Immediately north are the Karwendel Alps rising to a height of 7,657 feet. To the south, in the direction of the Brenner Pass, are the Patscherkofel and Series ranges rising to 8,917 feet. The mountain panoramas surrounding the city are breathtaking. Politically, Innsbruck was home to the Emperor Maxmilian I in the late 15th century. Archduke Ferdinand II lived there in the 16th century and by 1665 the Hapsburgs were ruling the Tyrol. The University of Innsbruck was founded in 1669. Austria's greatest military leader was the innkeeper and drover, Andreas Hofer, who led an army to victory in the Battles of Bergisel, now home to a modern Olympic Park and site of the ski jumps.
Innsbruck flourished early because it intersected the north/south trade and communication routes that developed during medieval times. Later it became an important railroad center. Consequently, World War II brought heavy bombing to the region -- from December 1943 until April 1945. All told it was attacked over 20 times with heavy losses to its citizenry and landmarks. Today Innsbruck is an internationally renowned winter sports center, having hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics as well as the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics. It is a pleasant, vibrant city and center of cultural activity.
Main attractions are the Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen, including the Hungerburg funicular, and the Seegrube and Hofelekan cable car connections to the looming northern summits. Within 20 minutes one can depart from a center city station and ascend more than 7,600 feet into a different Alpine world. In the Altstadt or Old Town can be found many of Innsbruck's most historical structures, including Goldenes Dachl (the Golden Roof), Helblinghaus (rococo dwelling dating from 1732), the Hofburg (Hapsburg Palace), and a splendid church called the Hofkirche. The Hofkirche contains a cenotaph dedicated to Maximilian I. It is surrounded by 28 magnificent bronze statues celebrating Maximilian's ancestry. And just down the street is the Dom zu St. Jakob or Innsbruck Cathedral with its amazing Lucas Cranach painting, Maria Hilf (Mary of Succor), on display above the altar since 1650. It is considered one of Christendom's most cherished images. Across town can be found the Wilten Basilica and Abbey, both nearly perfect examples of Baroque church architecture. Above the Basilica in a strategic location is Schloss Ambras, the renaissance palace built for Archduke Ferdinand II in the 16th century. Everyone who visits Innsbruck for a few days will be delighted by its charm and elegance. I would love to return for another round of sightseeing. Oh, and the wiener schnitzel is really quite good coupled with a glass of blauer zwiegelt, a fresh beaujolais.
Read MoreInnsbruck flourished early because it intersected the north/south trade and communication routes that developed during medieval times. Later it became an important railroad center. Consequently, World War II brought heavy bombing to the region -- from December 1943 until April 1945. All told it was attacked over 20 times with heavy losses to its citizenry and landmarks. Today Innsbruck is an internationally renowned winter sports center, having hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics as well as the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics. It is a pleasant, vibrant city and center of cultural activity.
Main attractions are the Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen, including the Hungerburg funicular, and the Seegrube and Hofelekan cable car connections to the looming northern summits. Within 20 minutes one can depart from a center city station and ascend more than 7,600 feet into a different Alpine world. In the Altstadt or Old Town can be found many of Innsbruck's most historical structures, including Goldenes Dachl (the Golden Roof), Helblinghaus (rococo dwelling dating from 1732), the Hofburg (Hapsburg Palace), and a splendid church called the Hofkirche. The Hofkirche contains a cenotaph dedicated to Maximilian I. It is surrounded by 28 magnificent bronze statues celebrating Maximilian's ancestry. And just down the street is the Dom zu St. Jakob or Innsbruck Cathedral with its amazing Lucas Cranach painting, Maria Hilf (Mary of Succor), on display above the altar since 1650. It is considered one of Christendom's most cherished images. Across town can be found the Wilten Basilica and Abbey, both nearly perfect examples of Baroque church architecture. Above the Basilica in a strategic location is Schloss Ambras, the renaissance palace built for Archduke Ferdinand II in the 16th century. Everyone who visits Innsbruck for a few days will be delighted by its charm and elegance. I would love to return for another round of sightseeing. Oh, and the wiener schnitzel is really quite good coupled with a glass of blauer zwiegelt, a fresh beaujolais.
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