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Innsbruck
—  Statutory City  —
Innsbruck
Coat of arms
Innsbruck
Coordinates: 47°16′N 11°23′E / 47.267°N 11.383°E / 47.267; 11.383Coordinates: 47°16′N 11°23′E / 47.267°N 11.383°E / 47.267; 11.383
Country	Austria
State	Tyrol
Government
- Mayor	Christine Oppitz-Plörer
Area
- Total	104.91 km2 (40.5 sq mi)
Elevation	574 m (1,883 ft)
Population (01.01.2007)[1]
- Total	117,916
- Density	1,119/km2 (2,898.2/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode	6010-6080
Dialing code	0512
Website	www.innsbruck.at

Innsbruck is the capital city of the federal state of Tyrol in western Austria. It is located in the Inn Valley at the junction with the Wipptal (Sill River), which provides access to the Brenner Pass, some 30 kilometers (19 mi) south of Innsbruck. Located in the broad valley between high mountains, the Nordkette (Hafelekar, 2,334 meters (7,657 ft)) in the north, Patscherkofel (2,246 meters (7,369 ft)) and Serles (2,718 meters (8,917 ft)) in the south, it is an internationally renowned winter sports centre, and hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics. It is to host the 1st Winter Youth Olympics in 2012. The word bruck comes from the German word Brücke meaning "bridge" which leads to "the bridge over the Inn".

History

Centre

Winter view from Seegrube. The Inn River winds through the city and is overlooked from the south by Patscherkofel.

Earliest traces suggest initial inhabitation in the early Stone Age. Surviving pre-Roman place names show that the area has been populated continuously. In the fourth century the Romans established the army station Veldidena (the name survives in today's urban district Wilten) at Oenipons (Innsbruck), to protect the economically important commercial road from Verona-Brenner-Augsburg.

The first mention of Innsbruck dates back to the name Oeni Pontum or Oeni Pons which is Latin for bridge (pons) over the Inn (Oenus), which was an important crossing point over the river Inn. The city's seal and coat of arms show a bird's-eye view of the Inn bridge, a design used since 1267. The route over the Brenner Pass was then a major transport and communications link between the north and the south, and the easiest route across the Alps. The revenues generated by serving as a transit station enabled the city to flourish.

Innsbruck became the capital of all Tyrol in 1429 and in the fifteenth century the city became a centre of European politics and culture as emperor Maximilian I also resided in Innsbruck in the 1490s. The city benefited from the emperor's presence as can be seen for example in the so called Hofkirche. Here a funeral monument for Maximilian was planned and erected partly by his successors. The ensemble with a cenotaph and the bronze statutes of real and mythical ancestors of the Habsburgian emperor are one of the main artistic monuments of Innsbruck.

In 1564 Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria received the rulership over Tirol and other Further Austrian possessions administrated from Innsbruck up to the 18th century. He had Schloss Ambras built and arranged there his unique Renaissance collections nowadays mainly part of Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum. Up to 1665 a stirps of the Habsburgian dynasty ruled in Innsbruck with an independent court. In the 1620s the first opera house north of the Alps was erected in Innsbruck (Dogana).

In 1669 the university was founded. Also as a compensation for the court as emperor Leopold I again reigned from Vienna and the Tyrolean stirps of the Habsburg dynasty had ended in 1665.

During the Napoleonic wars Tyrol was ceded to Bavaria, ally of France. Andreas Hofer led a Tyrolean peasant army to victory on the Berg Isel against the combined Bavarian and French forces, and then made Innsbruck the centre of his administration. The combined army later overran the Tyrolean militia army and until 1814 Innsbruck was part of Bavaria. After the Vienna Congress Austrian rule was restored. The Tyrolean hero Andreas Hofer was executed in Mantua; his remains were returned to Innsbruck in 1823 and interred in the Franciscan church.

In 1938 Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the Anschluss. Between 1943 and April 1945, Innsbruck experienced twenty-one bomb attacks and suffered heavy damage. The KZ Innsbruck-Reichenau concentration camp was located here.^[2]

In 1929, the first official Austrian Chess Championship was held in Innsbruck.

Demography

Climate

Due to its altitude and position in Central Europe far from the coast, Innsbruck has a Continental climate (Köppen classification : Dfb). Winters are cold - colder than those of most major European cities -, and snowy. Winter nights can get frigid, occasionally dropping to −12 °C (10.4 °F).

Spring is brief; days start to get warm, often over 15 °C (59 °F) but nights remain cool or even freezing.

Summer is highly variable and unpredictable. Days can be cool 17 °C (62.6 °F) and rainy, or sunny and extremely hot, sometimes hitting 34 °C (93.2 °F). In summer, as expected from an alpine climate, the diurnal temperature variation is often very high as nights always remain cool (12 °C (53.6 °F) on average, but sometimes dipping as low as 6 °C (42.8 °F)).

The average annual temperature is 9 °C (48.2 °F).

Main sights

The older pedestrian district of Innsbruck with the famous Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) and the Alps in the background.

Another view of the Altstadt, The Old City, with the Goldenes Dachl and Stadtturm, the Old City Watch Tower, clearly visible

The Alte Innbrücke, The Bridge over the Inn River at Altstadt, The Old City of Innsbruck.

The Alte Innbrücke facing the Altstadt

Ski jump stadium on the Bergisel.

Kaiserliche Hofburg with view of the Nordkette.

Beautiful Building at Innsbruck.

Buildings

• Golden Roof
• Kaiserliche Hofburg (Imperial Court)
• Hofkirche (Imperial Church) with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
• Altes Landhaus (old federal state parliament)
• Alte Innbrücke (The Inn Bridge, spanning the Inn River at the Altstadt, a bridge has existed at this point since at least 1080 A.D.)
• Altstadt (Old Town)
• Annasäule
• Helblinghaus
• Maria-Theresien-Straße (Main Street)
• Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck (Theatre)
• Triumphpforte
• Bergiselschanze, designed by Zaha Hadid.
• New Hungerburgbahn, designed by Zaha Hadid.

Museums

• Riesenrundgemälde
• Schloss Ambras
• Tiroler Landesmuseum
• Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum
• Zeughaus
• Tiroler Museumsbahnen
• Kaiserjägermuseum

Churches

• Ursulinenkirche
• Dom zu St. Jakob (St. James's Cathedral, often wrongly called St Jacob's Cathedral)
• Hofkirche
• Stift Wilten
• Wiltener basilika
• Spitalskirche
• Liebfrauenkirche
• Jesuit Church

Parks and gardens

• Alpenzoo (Alpine Zoo)
• Innsbruck University Botanic Garden
• Hofgarten
• Rapoldipark
• Schlosspark Ambras

Cultural events

As a very popular tourist destination, Innsbruck organizes the following events every year:

• Four Hills Tournament (Vierschanzentournee)
• Innsbrucker tanzsommer
• Bergsilvester (New Year's Eve)
• Festwochen der Alten Musik (Weeks of Ancient Music)
• Christkindlmarkt (Christmas fair)
• Tyrolean Evenings with the Gundolf Family at the Sandwirt Restaurant

Sports

Due to its location between high mountains, Innsbruck serves as an ideal place for skiing in winter, and mountaineering in summer. There are several ski resorts around Innsbruck with the Nordkette served by a cable car and additional chair lifts further up. Other ski resorts nearby include Axamer Lizum, Patscherkofel, Igls, Seefeld, Tulfes and Stubai Valley. The glaciated terrain in the latter makes skiing possible even in summer months.

The Olympic Winter Games were held in Innsbruck twice, first in 1964, then again in 1976, when Colorado voters rejected a bond referendum in 1972 to finance the Denver games, originally awarded in 1970. The 1976 Winter Olympics were the last games held in the German-speaking Alps (Austria, Germany, or Switzerland).

Along with St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York in the United States, it is one of three places which have twice hosted the Winter Games. It also hosted the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics.

On December 12, 2008, Innsbruck was chosen as host of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games to be held from January 13 to January 22, 2012.^[5]

Other notable events held in Innsbruck include the Air & Style Snowboard Contest from 1994 to 1999 and 2008 and the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2005. Together with the city of Seefeld, Innsbruck organized the Winter Universiade in 2005. Innsbruck's Bergiselschanze is one of the hills of the famous Four Hills Tournament.

Innsbruck is home to the football club FC Wacker Innsbruck, which will play in the Austrian Football First League (second tier) in 2008-09. FC Wacker Innsbruck's stadium, Tivoli Neu, is one of eight stadiums hosting Euro 2008 which took place in Switzerland and Austria in June 2008.

The city also hosted an American Football final, Eurobowl XXII between the Swarco Raiders Tirol and the Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna.

Economy and education

The city has a highly developed tram system.

Innsbruck is the cultural and economic center of western Austria and is one of the most famous and substantial tourist centres, with more than a million overnight stays. It is also a university city.

In Innsbruck there are some 78,000 employees and about 8,000 places of work. 35,000 people shuttle every day into Innsbruck.

Tourism

Tourism is the most important source of income for the city authority, largely because of Innsbruck's beautiful town centre with its historic buildings, the friendly ambience and the extensive sport facilities both in winter and in summer.

Transport

Innsbruck is located along the A12/A13 corridor, providing freeway access to Verona, Italy and Munich, Germany. The A12 and A13 converge near Innsbruck, at which point the A13 terminates.

Innsbruck Airport terminal building

Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, the most important railway station of Innsbruck and Tyrol, is one of the busiest railway stations in Austria. It is served by the Lower Inn Valley line to Germany and eastern Austria, the Arlberg line to the west and the Brenner line, which connects northern Italy with southern Germany via the Brenner pass. Since December 2007 suburban services have been operated as the Innsbruck S-Bahn.

Innsbruck Airport provides services including Frankfurt, London, and Vienna.

Local public transport is provided by Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe (IVB), a public authority operating a network of bus and tram routes. The metre-gauge tram network consists of two city lines, 1 and 3, and two lines serving the surrounding area: line 6, the Innsbrucker Mittelgebirgsbahn to Igls, and line STB, the Stubaitalbahn running through the Stubai Valley to Fulpmes. The network is planned to be enlarged during the coming years to reach Hall in Tirol in the east and Völs in the west (thus replacing a former tram line [closed in the late 1960s] from Innsbruck to Solbad Hall, as Hall in Tirol was then known). Numerous bus lines serve the inner city and connect it with surrounding areas. Until 2007 the bus network included two trolleybus routes, but these were abandoned in preparation for planned expansion of the tram network.

In December 2007, the Hungerburgbahn, a funicular service to the district of Hungerburg, was reopened after a two-year closure for extensive rebuilding, with partial realignment and a new extension across the Inn River and into central Innsbruck. The line was also equipped with new vehicles. The rebuilt line is operated by a private company, Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen.

Education

Innsbruck is home to the oldest grammar school (Gymnasium) of Western Austria, the "Akademisches Gymnasium Innsbruck". The school was founded in 1562 by the Jesuit order and was the precursor of the university, founded in 1669.

Innsbruck hosts several universities. The most well-known are the University of Innsbruck (Leopold-Franzens-Universität), the Innsbruck Medical University, and the MCI Management Center Innsbruck.

Politics

The results of the 2006 local elections were:

• Für Innsbruck 26% (conservative)
• SPÖ 19% (left)
• Austrian Green Party 18,5% (left)^[6][7]
• ÖVP 15,5% (conservative)
• Freie Liste Rudi Federspiel 9% (right)
• FPÖ 5% (right)

Miscellaneous

• The international headquarters of SOS Children's Villages, one of the world's largest charities, is located in Innsbruck.
• The internationally active NGO Austrian Service Abroad was founded in Innsbruck in 1992 by Andreas Maislinger and Andreas Hörtnagl. It's central office is located at Hutterweg, Innsbruck.
• Innsbruck has two universities, the Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck and the Innsbruck Medical University. The Innsbruck Medical University has one of Europe's premier ski injury clinics.
• Douglas Adams claimed that he got his idea for the novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy during a visit to Innsbruck in 1971, lying stoned in a field looking up at the stars.
• Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen, an international fellowship programme for visual and new media arts, is located in Innsbruck.
• The international headquarters of MED-EL, one of the largest producers of cochlear implants, is located in Innsbruck.
• Innsbruck boasts two large lakes, Baggersee and Lansersee. These lakes are popular hangouts for locals during the spring and summer.
• In the TV series Friends (Season 1, "The One With the Stoned Guy"), Chandler claims that he had waited tables during the Olympic Games in Innsbruck 1976. (Although he would have been about 8 years old at the time.)^[8]
• The first thirteen books of the Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer are based in the mountains around Innsbruck, and contain many visits and references to the city, most notably in The School at the Chalet (published 1925)

Panoramic view to west.

Panoramic view looking down.

International relations

"Golden Roof".

Twin towns — Sister cities

Innsbruck is twinned with:

Partnerships

• Kraków in Poland (since 1998) ^[14]

See also

• Music of Innsbruck
• Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen

References

Notes

External links

• Innsbruck.at - official site
• Innsbruck.info - Tourist Board
• IVB - Public Transport Official Site
• Innsbruck Photos 2008
• Collection of photograph of Hafelekar mountain above Innsbruck

Cities and districts (Bezirke) of Tyrol Cities Innsbruck Districts Imst • Innsbruck-Land • Kitzbühel • Kufstein • Landeck • Lienz • Reutte • Schwaz

Administrative seats of Austrian states Bregenz • Eisenstadt • Graz • Innsbruck • Klagenfurt • Linz • Salzburg • Sankt Pölten • Vienna

From Wikitravel

Innsbruck is the provincial capital of Tyrol. Its 110,000 residents make it the fifth largest city in Austria. It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships. It has twice hosted the Winter Olympics making it not only an interesting and beautiful situated city but the "largest ski resort in the alps". It is located both close to Munich and northern Italy making it a must see alpine destination.

Understand

Innsbruck became the capital of Tyrol in 1429 and in the 15th century the city became a centre of European politics and culture as emperor Maximilian I moved the imperial court to Innsbruck in the 1490s. Many old buildings from the middle ages and modern times survived in the heart of Innsbrucks old town.

Innsbruck has also hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976 as well as the World University Games in 2005. In summer 2008 it will host several games of the EURO 2008 European Football Championship.

The city is well known for its sporting opportunities, especially alpine sports, as it is located in the Alps and surrounded by mountains. Several ski resorts are situated inside the city territory or within short distance.

There are two universities and several colleges in Innsbruck, with over 25,000 students altogether, (including a significant Italian population) making the city's nightlife very lively.

Climate

Innsbruck's fair distance from the coast and altitude lead to a continental climate. Winters are cold and snowy; summers are generally warm, with highly variable weather. Hot and dry days, with temperatures hitting 30°C, are quite common; but can be followed by a cool and rainy spell, with temperatures only around 17°C in the day. Be warned, however, at any time, summer nights are cool and temperature often drop quickly after sunset, sometimes falling below 10°C in early morning.

Innsbruck airport

By plane

Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport (German: Flughafen Innsbruck) [1] (IATA: INN, ICAO: LOWI) is the largest airport in Tirol. Currently regular scheduled flights are available from Amsterdam, Antwerpen, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Graz, Hannover, Hamburg, London (Gatwick), Rotterdam, Vienna. Austrian Airlines has daily scheduled flights to Innsbruck. The Munich Airport, 2.5 hours away, is another alternative. There are vans that will meet you at the Munich Airport and take you directly to your lodging in or around Innsbruck for the price of a comparable train ticket.

There are also charter flights to several german cities - especially in winter.

The bus line F will take you to the city center (every 15 minutes / on sunday it departs every 30 minutes).

Other nearby Airports include Friedrichshafen, Klagenfurt, Munich, Salzburg and Zurich.

By train

Despite being a smaller city Innsbruck has fantastic train connections to all major cities in its neighborhood. The main station, Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, is located at Südtiroler Platz (South-tyrolean square) in the east of the city center. In addition there are several stations which serve suburban and regional train connections.

Regular (direct) trains operate from Venice, Bolzano/Bozen, Zurich, Munich, Graz, Vienna (via Linz and Salzburg) and many other destinations.

The Austrian train system is operated by the Österreichische Bundesbahnen, OEBB [2]. Travelers with ÖBB Vorteilscard [3] get up to 50% discount when traveling within Austria. There is a special Vorteilscard for people under the age of 26 which comes at a reduced price. With a RailPlus dicount cards travelers save up to 25% when traveling by train from any of the surrounding neighbour countries.

By car

Innsbruck is reachable through both of Tyrol's motorways: Inntalautobahn (A 12) and Brennerautobahn (A 13).

Get around

The basic map of the city costs only 1 Euro at the TI. There are also maps available online [4]. Big parts of the downtown area are declared (fee-based) short-term parking zones. For longer visits, it is highly recommended to park off-site and use public transportation.

By Public Transport

Public local traffic (buses, trams) is operated by Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe [5] and a couple of private operators. All public services are organized in Verkehrsverbund Tirol [6], which means that tickets are valid in every public transport line (including buses, trams and trains). Only recently new tram vehicles have been acquired which go into service in March 2008. A major extension of the tram network is planned and will be carried out in the following years.

Visitors should be aware that there sometimes are bus lines that split up into different destinations (the bus line O, for example), and so it's important to pay attention to the destination displays (outside and inside) and the spoken announcements. Tickets are 1.70 euro in the city fare zone, which you can pay to the driver. Regardless of the door you enter, go to the driver and pay, exact change not necessary. Daily tickets are 4.00 euro and weekly ticket 12.30. Buy these from the machines at some bus and tram stops (just outside of Hauptbahnhof/main station for instance) or at a tobacco shop. You must validate the ticket when you get on your first bus or tram.

The special bus line "TS" ("The Sightseer" [7]) connects the major sights like Schloß Ambras, Bergisel and Alpenzoo to downtown. However special fares apply for this line

Two tram lines also go to villages in the neighborhood of Innsbruck. Tram line 6 connects Innsbruck and the mountain village Igls, which is worth a visit. The line goes through mountains and woods and provides some nice views for travelers. Igls lies within the city fare zone, so no additional ticket is needed. Tram line STB is 18 kilometers long and connects Innsbruck with several villages in the Stubaital valley.

S-Bahn

Only recently a new suburban rail traffic system called "Inntal S-Bahn" has been established. Suburban trains between Telfs/Pfaffenhofen - Innsbruck - Hall travel every 30 minutes. Timetable: [8].

By Foot

From the Hauptbahnhof/main station to the city center is a relatively short and enjoyable 10 to 15 minute walk. Walk out of the Hauptbahnhof, cross the street at the train station cross walk, turn to your right, and go down to the next street to your left. Walk on this street until Maria-Theresien Strasse, then turn right toward the city center. Taking this street all the way leads to the pedestrian zone and the Golden Roof. This is the classic walk into old Innsbruck. All of the major Old Town sites are within a reasonable walking time.

Mariahilf quarter of Innsbruck

The Innsbruck-Card [9] offers free entrance to all of Innsbruck's sights, free use of public transportation (including the TS line). It also includes a one-time ascent&descent to Nordkette, Patscherkofel and Axamer Lizum and free entrance to Swarovski Kristallwelten [10] in Wattens. The Innsbruck-Card is valid for 24/48/72 hours and can be purchased at Innsbruck Information (Burggraben 3), the TI in Hauptbahnhof, and several museums and tourist offices. Tip: The Innsbruck card is pretty expensive, 25/30/35 euro for 1/2/3 day cards. And daily or weekly public transport cards are cheap - the "all inclusive" sales pitch is alluring to disoriented travelers, but make sure the discounts are worth the initial price. If you are not seeing these major entrance-fee sites, remember that you may buy more than one daily card at a time, as the 24 hours only starts once validated. Be sure to compare with the price of a weekly ticket too.

The bus line Sightseer (TS) connects the major sights in Innsbruck. However it there is always a cheaper public transport line going to the same destination, though it might take you more time.

• Hofkirche, Universitätsstraße 2, [11]. Innsbruck's Hofkirche has the most important emperor's tomb monument (of emperor Maximilian I) in Europe. Especially characteristic are the larger-than-life bronzes ("schwarze Mander") that show members of different dynasties. trance: 3 EUR, reduced: 1.50 EUR, free with the Innsbruck-Card.  edit

St Jacob cathedral

• Cathedral at Saint Jacob (Dom zu St. Jakob), Domplatz. Baroque styled cathedral, with works of Lucas Cranach the Elder. From 1717-1724 it was rebuilt (after damage from an earthquake) according to the plans of Johann Jakob Herkomer and Johann Georg Fischer. Free entrance.  edit

• Wiltener Basilika, Haymongasse. Baroque styled church with Rokkoko-stucco, built from 1751-1756. Free entrance.  edit

• Stift Wilten, Klostergasse. Premonstratensian monastery with a baroque collegiate church, not far from Wiltener Basilika. Free entrance.  edit

• Schloss Ambras, Schloß Straße 20 (S-Bahn 3 and 6, Bus: C (Stop: Luidenstraße)), ☎ +43 1 525 24 4802 (fax: +43 1 525 24 4899), [12]. Open 10AM - 5PM. A renaissance style castle that was built on behalf of archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol. Interesting things to see are portrait- and armor-collections, art and curiosity cabinets, the spanish hall and the palace garden. April to October: €8. December to March: €4.50.  edit

• Bergiselschanze, Bergiselweg 3 (take the tram lines 1, 6, STB or the bus line TS), [13]. The Bergisel jump was replaced according to plans of the Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid in 2001. Because of its design and prominent location (on Bergisel, south of Innsbruck) it is considered a new city landmark. There is a cafe on top, which offers views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. During sporting events, the jumping tower is not accessible, and a ticket is needed to enter the terrain.  edit

Goldenes Dachl

• Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. Late-gothic alcove balcony, with 2657 fire-gilded cupreous shingles. It was built on behalf of emperor Maximilian I.  edit

• Annasäule (St. Anna Column), Maria-Theresien-Straße. The column, which is made of Tyrolean marble, was created in 1706, in memory of the drawback of Bavarian troops.  edit

• Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch), Maria-Theresien-Straße (Southen end of Maria-Theresien-Straße). It was built in 1765 to mark the marriage of archduke Leopold and the spanish princess Maria Ludovica. The north side displays mourning themes on the occasion of Franz Stephan of Lothringen.  edit

• Alpinist Association Museum, Wilhelm-Greil-Straße, [14].  edit

• Anatomical Museum, Müllerstraße, [15]. Open every friday, 14:00-16:00 (and on reservation), from October through May. June through September it is only open on advance notification. Objects from human preparations, to history of development and old anatomical devices.  edit

• Bell Museum, Graßmayr, Leopoldstraße (tram lines 1, 3 and TS), [16]. The Bell foundry has existed for 400 years, and is lead by the same family in 14 generations.  edit

• Hofburg, Rennweg. It was modified to rokoko-style by order of the empress Maria Theresia.  edit

• Kaiserjägermuseum (Imperial Hunting Museum), Bergisel 1 (S-Bahn 1 to the Bergisel stop), ☎ +43 (0/512) 582 312 (fax: +43 (0/512) 588 675), [17]. The museum is currently undergoing renovation and is closed.  edit

• Maximilianeum Goldenes Dachl, Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, [18]. Information on the impressive life of emperor Maximilian I.  edit

• Riesenrundgemälde [19] [20], Rennweg (bus lines 4, O, E). A Panorama painting of the Battle of Bergisel, August 13th 1809, over 1000 square meters in size. One of the world's last 24 panoramas.

• Stadtturm Innsbruck [21] (City Tower), Herzog-Friedrich-Straße.

• Tiroler Landesmuseum [22]: Ferdinandeum, Museumstraße, Scientific collection, Feldstraße and Museum im Zeughaus, Zeughausgasse

• Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum (Folk Art Museum), Universitätsstraße 2, ☎ +43 (0/512) 59489 510 (volkskunstmuseum@tiroler-landesmuseen.at, fax: +43 (0/512) 59489 520), [23]. The museum is closed until May 18, 2008..  edit

• Maria-Theresien-Straße, Innsbruck's Boulevard and central pedestrian area. St. Anna's Column and the prominent Nordkette mountain range make popular backgrounds for holiday photos.

• Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. The Old Town's "main street" (now a pedestrian area). It expands to a square in front of the Golden Roof.

• Alpengarten (Alpine Garden), [24]. Open June until September from 9AM to 5PM.  edit

• Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden), Sternwartesstraße 15 (Bus A will take you just outside of the main entrance), ☎ +43 (0/512) 507 5910 (Botanischer-Garten@uibk.ac.at), [25]. Open daily from 7:30AM until 7PM. In the winter, the garden is open until 4:30PM. Adults: €2, Children, students, and seniors: €1.  edit

• Hofgarten, (Entrances at Rennweg and Kaiserjägerstraße).  edit

• Alpenzoo, Weiherburggasse 37 (accessible using the Hungerburgbahn - short footway - or by bus, line TS), [26]. The alpine zoo is Europe's highest situated zoo (727 m), and is specializing in alpine animals. It contains outdoor enclosures, terrariums, aviaries, aquariums (world's biggest collection of alpine fish species) and a barnyard with old farm animal races. The zoo is in hillside situation, so there's a certain altitude difference to cover. Free entrance with the Innsbruck-Card.  edit

• Nordpark [27] is accessible via the bus lines 1, 4, A, D, E, J and T. The Nordkettenbahn goes up to Seegrube and Hafelekar, where many hiking routes and trip routes start. In August 2004, the Nordpark Singletrail, one of the most ambitious mountainbike freeride routes of Europe, was opened (more information: [28]).

In winter, the Nordpark can offer several ski routes. They are steep and offer a great view of the nearby Mountains and the city itself.

One ascent&descent is free with the Innsbruck-Card.

• Patscherkofelbahn [29] is accessible via the bus line J, destination "Patscherkofelbahn" or "Olympiaexpreß". The Patscherkofel is a skiing region south of Innsbruck, that has a number of timbered ski-runs of the former olympia-routes. In summer it is a great region for hiking along the forestline.

One ascent&descent is free with the Innsbruck-Card.

• Stubaital [30] offers several ski resorts in the winter.

Buy

There are four shopping malls in Innsbruck: Sillpark [31] (just outside downtown, take the bus lines "C" and "S"), DEZ [32] (bus lines C, S and T), Cyta (in the suburb "Völs") and Rathaus Gallerien [33] in the inner city. Furthermore, there are several warehouses, especially in the nearby village Neu-Rum.

There are numerous shops in central pedestrian areas like Maria-Theresien-Straße, the Old Town, Franziskanerplatz, Sparkassenplatz and Anichstraße as well as Museumstraße. You will also find shops/stores in quarter centers of Wilten (tram lines 1, 6 and STB) and Pradl (tram line 3).

Souvenir stores in the Old Town offer souvenirs of varying origin, but the Tiroler Heimatwerk (Meranerstraße 2) offers real Tyrolean handcraft. However most of the shops are real tourist traps and are overpriced by far. You will probably find more authentic and cheaper souvenirs in one of the surrounding villages of Innsbruck.

• Magic Pizza Kebab, Innrain 1 (old town, close to Ottoburg, entrance from Herzog Friedrich Str.), ☎ +43 512 56 02 03. Daily till 24.00. A pizza and kebab place in the middle of the old town. The place looks like a 70ies American diner and is usually quite populated. The best thing about Magic are the cheap prices (€2.9 for a Pizza!) and great portions. cheap.  edit

• Cammerlander (Restaurant, lounge and tapa bar), Innrain 2 (close to the old town next to the river Inn), ☎ ++43-(0)512-58 63 98 (info@cammerlander.at), [34]. restaurant 11:30 - 24:00, tapabar 08:30 - 01:00. Cammerlander is the place to go if you want great international kitchen and fancy environment. High prices.  edit

• Papa Joe's (Grill, cantina and bar), Seilergasse 12 (in the old town near the Golden Roof), ☎ ++43-(0)512-583046 (info@papajoes-ibk.at), [35]. Sunday-Wednesday 16:00 - 01:00, Thursday-Saturday 16:00 - 2:00. Great place to get good Mexican, Carribbean and Creole food right in the middle of the old town. Serving sizes are very generous and the ambiance is laidback. Average.  edit

• Zappa Music Bar, Rechengasse 5 (close to clinic and university main building), ☎ +43 512 581057, [36]. mo-so 18.00 to 2.00. Zappa is a great place to have a drink or two and listen to some nice music. Every day of the week has special offers and events. Since it's close to the university there are a lot of students and you might need to call in and order a table.  edit

• Limerick Bill's Irish Pub, Maria-Theresien-Strasse 9 (close to the old town), ☎ +43 512 582011. The place is lively and usually crowded with students and visitors from all over the world, especially a lot of English speakers. Staff is bilingual, so this might be a great place for you to feel home.  edit

• Weekender (cafe and club), Tschamlerstraße 3, ☎ +43 512 570570 (info@weekenderclub.net), [37]. 18:00 - 02:00 (cafe), club longer. Weekender is a great place to both go out have a drink and to dance. Almost everyweek there are national and international live bands. A must for indie fans!  edit

• Campsite Innsbruck Kranebitten, Kranebitter Allee 214, [38].

• Youth Hostel St.Nikolaus, Weiherburggasse 3 (Bus '''D''' from main station to busstop ''Schmelzergasse'', pass the church to Weiherburggasse, 2nd house on the left), ☎ +43 (0)512 28651 (innsbruck@hostelnikolaus.at, fax: +43 (0)512 284791-14), [39]. Breakfast and sheets are included. extra charges apply to use kitchen and WIFI. A 3€ charge will be applied on your first night. €16 to 26€ (sr).  edit

• Hotel Binders, Dr. Glatzstrasse 20, A-6020 Innsbruck, ☎ +43 (0)512/33436 (hotel@binders.at, fax: +43 (0)512/33436-99), [40].  edit

• Austrotel Innsbruck, Bernhard-Höfel-Strasse 16, A-6020 Innsbruck, ☎ +43 (0)512/344 333-0 (reception.innsbruck@austrotel.at, fax: +43 (0)512/344-428), [41].  edit
• Grand Hotel Europa, Südtiroler Platz 2, A-6020 Innsbruck, ☎ +43 (0)512/5931102 (info@grandhoteleuropa.at, fax: +43 (0)512/587800), [42].  edit
• Hotel the PENZ, Adolf Pichler Platz 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, ☎ +43 (0)512/575657 (office@thepenz.com, fax: +43 (0)512/5756579), [43].  edit

Pray

Religious services

Holy mass in catholic churches in Innsbruck (pdf): [44]

• Dom St. Jakob [45], Domplatz 6 (Oldcity). Sun: 10:00, 11:30; Mon-Fri: 09:30; Mon-Thu: 08:00 (Unterkirche)
• Jesuit church [46], Karl-Rahner-Platz [47]. Sat: 18:00 (English), 19:00; Sun: 11:00, 18:00, 21:30; Mon-Sat: 07:30 (Krypta), 19:00; Thu: 21:30 (Krypta) The only English Mass in the city.
• Kapuzinerkirche [48], Kaiserjägerstraße 6 (near the bus parking at Hofgarten). Sun: 10:00; Mon-Fri: 06:30, 09:00
• Alte Spitalskirche zum Hl. Geist [49], Maria-Theresien-Straße 2 (Oldcity). Sun: 09:30; Mon-Fri: 18:30
• Servitenkirche, Maria-Theresienstraße. Sat: 17:30; Sun: 06:30, 10:00, 17:30; Mon-Fri: 06:30, 10:30, 17:30
• Herz Jesu [50], Maximilianstraße 8 (south of Oldcity). Sat: 18:00; Sun: 07:00, 09:30, 11:00 (croat.), 18:00; Mon-Fri: 07:00, 08:00, 18:00

• Directory [51] of cath. churches in Innsbruck

• Kaunertal glacier and a skiing resort.
• Stubaier glacier and a skiing resort.
• Natterer See lake and recreational site in Natters.
• Lanser See lake and recreational site in Lans. Take the J bus past Igls. If you are staying in a hotel you can get a "club innsbruck" card (different from the tourist Innsbruck card) and get admitted free.

From LoveToKnow 1911

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Wikipedia has an article on:

Innsbruck

Wikipedia

Proper noun

Innsbruck

1. A city in western Austria, and the capital of the federal state of Tyrol.

Translations

• Greek: Ίνσμπρουκ