Innsbruck is full of culture, activities
If there were beauty pageants for cities, Innsbruck, Austria, would snag the winner’s sash every time. Not too big and not too small, it nestles in a pleasant valley, with part of the city climbing up the steep wall of the Alps to the north, the Stubai and Tuxer ranges looming to the south.
The metropolis itself is a melange of Baroque churches, gabled houses and twisting streets, a few so narrow they cannot admit cars. Shutterbugs could spend all their time just taking photos of Innsbruck’s medieval houses framed by snow-covered peaks, but in truth, most will find they’re too busy here to take many photos. The city punches well above its size when it comes to culture and outdoor activities. Here are just a few of the things you should try to experience if you’re lucky enough to visit.
HAPSBURG SITES
Beloved by the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, Innsbruck has an important palace at its core, and another on its periphery. At both, visitors will not only be struck by the magnificent decorations and the grandiose oil portraits of royals, but also by the often tragic stories of the men and women who occupied these homes.
Near to the Hofburg (Royal Palace), the Hofkirche (Royal Church) holds one of the most over-the-top sarcophagi in Europe, an intricately carved marble tomb extolling the glories of Em- peror Maximilian. Bizarrely, the emperor was interred elsewhere, but his intended resting place is grand nonetheless, the tomb surrounded by larger-than-life bronze statues of Maximilian’s ancestors, and wished-for ancestors (like England’s King Arthur). And just steps from the Hofkirche is the so-called Golden Roof, the gilded balcony that Maximilian had built for his wedding to his second wife; it overlooks one of the prettiest medieval squares in Austria.
TYROLEAN CULTURE
Innsbruck is festival happy, with many events on its yearly calendar celebrating the traditions of the region.
But even if you’re not in town when one of them is hitting, you’ll be able to take a deep dive into all things Tyrolean at the Tiroler Volkskunst Museum — one of the finest anthropological museums in Europe.
It displays extensive collections of farm implements, household items, clothing, ecclesiastical art and folk art, alongside recreated rooms from dwellings across the Tirol.
What makes this so intriguing, beyond the beauty of many of the objects displayed, is the excellent English-language commentary of the audio tour, voiced by talented storytellers. Be sure to bring ID so you can get one of the free headsets on your visit.
HIKING AND SKIING
As anyone who knows Olympic history realizes, Innsbruck is a skiing mecca (it hosted the 1964 and 1976 games). Within easy reach of the city are eight major ski areas, including one that is accessible via cable car from the heart of the city (all the others are accessible via dedicated public buses).
In all, there’s more than 500 meters (310 miles) worth of trails in the immediate vicinity of the city, and many runs last half an hour or more. The Stubai Glacier has half pipes and natural jumps for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
In the summer months, all of these slopes are taken over by avid hikers who get to view some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in Europe.
Note to the reader: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. The information in this column was accurate when it was released, but prices are competitive, sometimes limited and can always change without notice.