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INNSBRUCK
Innsbruck is Tirol's treasure house - historically,
culturally, and commercially. It's also sited smack dab
in the center of the Tirolean region and makes a
convenient base from which to explore. The bridge over
the River Inn, which gives the city its name, made
Innsbruck an important point on the trade routes to
Germany from Italy and Switzerland by the 12th century.
Innsbruck became a Habsburg residence in 1363. It has
many notable medieval buildings, including the 16th-century
Franciscan Hofkirche (church) and the Fürstenburg, a
15th-century castle with a famous copper-roofed balcony.
Even if you are staying at an area resort, spend a day
or two in Innsbruck first: it will give you a clearer
perspective on the rest of the region. The city is
surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the high rising
mountains of the Alps. You can take a cable railway up
to the famous Hungerburg to get a magnificent Alpine
view. Tirols location makes it an ideal place in which
to enjoy the outdoor life year-round. Ski-crazy
travelers descend on the resorts during the winter
months; in the summer, when the mountains are awash with
wildflowers, camping tents spring up like mushrooms in
the valleys as hikers, cavers, and mountain climbers
take advantage of the palatial peaks.
Innsbruck has a small but beautiful old center (the "Altstadt").
The most important tourist sites are the so-called "Goldenes
Dach" (golden roof), a lodge with, of course, a golden
roof that was built by order of Emperor Maximillian. The
imposing (and, by the way, empty) tomb of this Emperor
lies near the famous Hofkirche (Court's Church). Nearby
is the Museum of Tyrol Folklore Art, where a good
impression can be had about the ancient Tyrolean
architecture, typical costumes and traditions. |
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