Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels, Innsbruck

Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Innsbruck

Coveted by empires, republics and ruling dynasties over the centuries, Innsbruck has been a living treasure house of history and culture. Undoubtedly this is one of Europe's most idyllic cities, nestled amid the craggy peaks in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck equally scores as an Alpine playground and a showcase for Hapsburg imperial heritage, and is famous for its ancient, predominantly Gothic architecture, distinguished by its pointed arches, flying buttress, and ribbed vaults.

The majority of local buildings are old, some dating as far back as the 12th century. Architectural gems like the splendid Kaiserliche Hofburg (The Imperial Palace) lurk around every corner. Its worthwhile Giant’s Hall and Baroque Cellar give visitors a palpable sense of the elegance and wealth of the former Hapsburg Dynasty. Originally built by Archduke Sigmund the Rich in 1494, this is now an official residence of Austria’s president.

The nearby Gothic Hofkirche (Court Church), aka “Schwarzmanderkirche“ (Black Men's Church), houses the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, and is one of Europe’s finest royal court churches; built from 1553 to 1563.

Ottoburg (Otto Castle) is an architectural landmark and one of Innsbruck’s most beloved restaurants, serving traditional Austrian cuisine.

Stadtturm (Town Tower) – this over 51-meter (150-feet) tall Gothic structure once formed part of the Old Town Hall, serving as an observation point.

Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch) – an intricate construction built in celebration of Emperor Leopold I and Maria Ludovica of Spain’s engagement, which was shaded by a tragic passing of Emperor Franz Stephan I; hence the presence of joyful scenes on one end of the Arch and figures in mourning on the other.

To acquaint yourself more closely with these and other architectural jewels of Innsbruck, take our self-guided walking tour.
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels Map

Guide Name: Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels
Guide Location: Austria » Innsbruck (See other walking tours in Innsbruck)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: irenes
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Kaiserliche Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
  • Hofkirche (Court Church)
  • Dom zu St. Jakob (St. Jakob Cathedral)
  • Helblinghaus (Helbling House)
  • Ottoburg (Otto Castle)
  • Stadtturm (Town Tower)
  • Spitalskirche (Hospital Church)
  • Altes Landhaus (Old State House)
  • Servitenkirche (Servite Church)
  • Befreiungsdenkmal (Liberation Monument)
  • Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)
1
Kaiserliche Hofburg (Imperial Palace)

1) Kaiserliche Hofburg (Imperial Palace) (must see)

For a long time the Innsbruck Imperial Palace was the home of the ruling Habsburg dynasty in Austria. It rates among the Imperial Palace and the Schonbrumm Palace in Vienna as one of the three most important cultural edifices in the country.

It was formerly a residential compound of the Habsburgs. It still houses the Noblewomen's Collegiate Foundation, the Silver Chapel, the Court Church with the cenotaph of Maximilion, the Theological University, The Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, Innsbruck Cathedral, the Congress and the Court Garden.

The palace was initially constructed from bits of medieval fortifications by Archduke Sigismund in 1460. There were several major changes over the next 250 years. Empress Maria Theresia made Baroque alterations.

The main facade on the Street Rennweg was completed and the Giants' Hall received ceiling frescoes. The Imperial Chapel was built in the room where Francis I had died in 1765. In 1858 the last renovation of the Imperial apartments was completed. The renovations followed the Rococo style of the Schonbrumm Palace in Vienna.

The Imperial Palace contains, not only the extensive Imperial Apartments. It also holds the Gothic Hall. The hall was built in 1494. It is a five nave hall with a cross-groined vault. The area of the hall is 2,133 square feet.

The Palace Courtyard is paved with cobblestones. It has an area of 4,265 square feet. It has been called "the most beautiful inner courtyard in Innsbruck." Redone Baroque style, it features elements of pilaster, frames, cornices and cartouches. There are four portals accessing the courtyard.

The Imperial Palace has two chapels that can be used for services and events.
2
Hofkirche (Court Church)

2) Hofkirche (Court Church) (must see)

Holy Roman Emperor Maximilion I (1459-1519) had become obsessed with the reality of death. He carried his coffin with him in his travels. A ruler who had pursued fame and glory with gusto all his life now thought mostly of his tomb.

He was buried in the St George castle chapel in Vienna. His son, Charles V and his grandson, Ferdinand I, financed the tomb project.

There was a catch. There wasn't enough room in the St George castle chapel for Maximilion and the tomb. Something had to give. No problem. Ferdinand built a monastery and tomb in Innsbruck, over 300 miles away. Maximilion stayed in Vienna.

The Innsbruck building was named Court Church ("Hofkirche" in German). The Court Church next to the the Imperial Palace (Hofburg). The design of the church is by Andrea Crivelli of Trento. It follows the plan of a German "hall church."

It has three naves, both round and pointed arch windows and a hip roof. There is a blend of Renaissance designs and German Gothic styles. The portal is Renaissance, carved by Hieronymus de Longhi and Anton de Bol.

Inside there are galleries and thin red marble colonettes with white capitals. The vault is in 17th century Baroque style. The high altar, designed by court architect Nikolas Pacassi, dates from 1755. There are statues of Francis of Assisi and Teresa of Avila by Balthasar Moll and the world famous Renaissance organ is by Jorg Ebert.

The Siver Chapel (a side chapel) has an altar to Mary made from silver, three elephant tusks and 300 kilos of ebony. The chapel holds the tombs of Ferdinand II and his spouse, Philippine Welser.

In the center of the nave is the black marble Mannerist cenotaph of Emperor Maximilion. It was completed in 1572. Final touches of the kneeling Maximilion, the four virtues and the iron grille were done by 1584.

Twenty-four bas-reliefs depict the events of Maximilion's life. There are 28 bronze statues of Habsburg emperors and ancestors. Andreas Hofer, the national hero of Tyrol, is also buried in the church.
3
Dom zu St. Jakob (St. Jakob Cathedral)

3) Dom zu St. Jakob (St. Jakob Cathedral) (must see)

In 1180 a document mentioned a church attached to Wilten Abbey. It was repeatedly wracked by earthquakes and damaged by fires in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1650 it was decided to demolish the church and build a new one.

In 1716 architect Johann Jacob Herkomer was selected for the job. The new church was inaugurated in 1724. Parishoners, nobility and the Empress donated generously toward its completion.

The Cathedral has two bell towers and a formidable onion shaped copper dome. The facade is made of limestone and marble. Niches with rounded arches in the concave facade hold limestone statues of Tyrolean saints. Hans Andre created the statues between 1941 and 1960. The Virgin in the facade gable and the mounted Saint James are also his.

The structure plan is cruciform. There are two towers, a double-bayed nave, a semicircular transept and a straight choir. The nave and the transept are covered by domes ornately decorated with frescoes. The over-all ambience is Renaissance.

Massive weighty columns support high rounded arches, creating a triumphal frame for the high altar. The altar and choir are illuminated by a high dome. The ceiling consists of false saucer domes of wood with concave moldings.

The marble high altar contains the Cathedral's treasure of treasures: the 1530 painting Maria Hilf (Mary of succor) by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The Cathedral also holds the canopied tomb of Archduke Maximilion III.
4
Helblinghaus (Helbling House)

4) Helblinghaus (Helbling House)

Helbling House is a historic building and main tourist attraction in the Old Town section of Innsbruck. The house was originally constructed as townhouses but was remodeled many times over the years. The first structure was built in the 15th century with the final, and current Helbling House having been completed in 1732.

Architect Anton Gigl was the primary designer of the Helbling house as it stands today. While the original form included Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, the changes made incorporated a Rococo style. Gigl ensured the building would stand out by adding highly ornate bows to the windows and decorative mouldings to the window frames.

Helbling House now consists of a number of private apartments that may not be toured. The street-level floor is home to shops that are open to tourists. Helbling House was named after Sebastian Helbling who was the owner of the building and the proprietor of a cafe from 1800 to 1827.
5
Ottoburg (Otto Castle)

5) Ottoburg (Otto Castle)

The Ottoburg is a late Gothic residential tower at the entrance to the old town of the city of Innsbruck. One building was mentioned in a document in 1476. In 1913 the building was adapted for use as a restaurant.

Ottoburg is one of the most famous and popular restaurants in town, as well as a historical landmark with its own story. Ottoburg was initially built as a part of the Innsbruck-Castle (11th or 12th century) and consequently many important people have lived here: the two sons of the Empire Maximilian I, Phillip from Spain, and Claudi f. Medici. Ottoburg also offers fabulous views on the river, mountains, and the Golden Dachl.

The building was rebuilt in 1494/1495 and expanded in 1542. The four- to five-storey polygonal residential tower with a striking corner over massive corbels was built on a corner above the city wall and connected to the inner gate, which was demolished in 1790. A third was added to the original two upper floors in 1775, and the gable roof also dates from this time . The facade is structured with projections and recesses. The 90 red-white-red wooden shutters are characteristic. Both towards the Inn and on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße there are porches from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The interior of the building has been heavily renovated, with some Gothic cross and star vaults preserved.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
6
Stadtturm (Town Tower)

6) Stadtturm (Town Tower) (must see)

For nearly 450 years the Town Tower (Stadturm) has watched over the city of Innsbruck. It is 166 feet high. It affords an incomparable view of the town. The observation deck is lower (98 feet) but the view is still great. The Town Tower was meant to serve as a watch tower for the Old Town Hall. There were guards who were paid to sit and watch all day.

The earliest date available for the building is 1444. Master builder Caspar Schab rebuilt the roof using onion shaped domes in 1560. Four wrought iron gargoyles and the first tower clock built by Erasmus Melchior were installed in 1603. Guards were trained to warn of any danger to the town. The guards were called Turners.

The main challenge at the tower is to climb it. It is 131 steps to reach the 98 foot high observation deck. The stairs are narrow but they are made in the form of a DNA double helix. The result is there are separate one-way stairs to go up or down. The wooden walkway of the deck is narrow. It can support only a limited amount of people at a time.

On the way up, on the first floor, there is a statue of Archduke Sigismund des Munzreichen. He was a count of Tyrol and the predecessor to Maximilion. Also on the first floor is the clock of the tower manufactured by Johann Mannchardi of Munich in 1878.

The tower is open from 10 a m to 5 pm October to May and until 8 p m June to September.
7
Spitalskirche (Hospital Church)

7) Spitalskirche (Hospital Church)

Spitalskirche is another old church, located in the center of town. Spitalskirche, or as it's also called Alte Spitalskirche zum Hl. Geist, is a Roman- Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit Hospital. Basilica dates back to the 14th century, where in 1326, the building was transformed into a hospital while also serving as a church.

The church was built from 1700 according to plans by Johann Martin Gumpp the Elder in place of a previous Gothic building. The two portals have intricately carved doors, the interior is characterized by rich stucco. The frescoes were repainted by Hans Andre in 1962 after being damaged by bombs in World War II. On the left side altar there is a crucifix from the 16th century.

Since October 2018 the hospital church has served as the “City Church”.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
8
Altes Landhaus (Old State House)

8) Altes Landhaus (Old State House)

Altes Landhaus, also known as Standehaus or the Old State House, is the seat of the parliament for the state of Tyrol. The building was constructed in 1734 in the Italian Baroque architectural style. Court architect Georg Anton Gumpp modeled the building on the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide and the Palazzo Chigi-Odescalchi.

The building has continued to grow over the years as the state government expands. The first large expansion took place in 1870. The most recent was Landhaus 1, which opened in 2008.

The interior of the Old State House offers elaborate woodwork, statues, busts, ornamental vases and frescos. Arguably the most famous of these frescos are in the boardroom. THey were painted by Cosmas Damian Asam in 1734. The painting shows scenes from the Old Testament along with landscapes of the area as it appeared at the time.

A chapel, dedicated to St. George, is in the Old State House's courtyard. Built in 1730, the chapel features Ionic pilasters and bronze sculptures in the exterior niches. Inside, visitors can find Corinthian columns, a marble column, a wide number of statues and an organ that was installed in 2010.
9
Servitenkirche (Servite Church)

9) Servitenkirche (Servite Church)

Servitenkirche, known as the Servite Church of St. Joseph in English, is a church and monastery that was founded in 1616. The monastery was donated to the church by Anna Caterina Gonzaga von Mantua, widow of Archduke Ferdinand II. A catastrophic fire burned the original church in 1620.

It was enlarged with a side chapel in 1722, the Peregrini chapel in 1721 and the Baroque church tower in 1899. All of these buildings were badly damaged during World War II. It was rebuilt after the end of the war and renovated several times since then. This includes the addition of the street-facing fresco.

Those who wish to visit the inside of the church will find a magnificent church organ and a ceiling fresco painted by Hans Andre. The church is not open to the general public on a regular basis. Those who do wish to see the inside can set up an appointment by emailing the church.
10
Befreiungsdenkmal (Liberation Monument)

10) Befreiungsdenkmal (Liberation Monument)

Befreiungsdenkmal, known in English as Liberation Monument, is a monument dedicated to those who died in the struggle for liberation from National Socialism (Nazi) from 1938 to 1945. This includes inscriptions for people who officially fought in World War II and citizens who gave their lives in other ways. The monument includes 124 names of those who died as part of their resistance efforts.

The monument bears the inscription "Pro Libertate Austriae Mortius" which means "For the Liberation of Austria Mortius". It also has coats of arms of the nine Austrian federal states that appear in the form of a cross. Atop the memorial is an eagle with a copper shield. It was designed by Anton Fritz and sculptor Emmerich Kerle.

It is located in the center of Innsbruck in the Eduard-Wallnofer Square. Nearby attractions in the plaza include the Union Fountain and the Pogrom Monument. The Audioversum Science Center is also nearby, located directly across Wilhelm-Greil-Strasse from the monument.
11
Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)

11) Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch)

It was August, 1765. Archduke Leopold was getting married. Everything was arranged. He was marrying Spanish Princess Maria Luisa. This would be a big event. Leopold was the second son of Empress Maria Theresia and Holy Roman Emperor, Francis Stephen of Lorraine. They exchanged vows on 18 August. Only days after the ceremony, Emperor Francis Stephen died.

This certainly cast a pall over things. A triumphal arch was being built for the wedding. And it wasn't the usual wooden triumphal arch. No, it had to be stone. How to memorialize a wedding and the passing of the emperor with one stone arch?

Simple, put a memorial motif for the married couple on the south side of the arch. The Emperor would have the north side. The arch was built using ashlar stones from the Medieval city gate demolished for the occasion. The builders were Constantin Walter and Johann Baptist Hagenauer. The relief memorial plaques were in stucco.

Besides the the reliefs of the wedding and the Emperor's memorial, the arch is covered with other adornments. There is the archducal hat bearing the Order of the Golden Fleece; the crown of the Hungarian Order of St. Stephen; a relief of the Empress and Francis Stephen wearing laurels; and portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine.

The arch closely resembles an old Roman triumphal arch. It is located at the south end of Maria-Theresien Street, formerly the exit road from the old city.

Walking Tours in Innsbruck, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Innsbruck

Create Your Own Walk in Innsbruck

Creating your own self-guided walk in Innsbruck is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Innsbruck Introduction Walking Tour

Innsbruck Introduction Walking Tour

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol, Austria. It lies in a broad valley on the river Inn, not far from the Brenner Pass. The name "Innsbruck" means "Bridge over the Inn." In the 4th century Romans established a military outpost there, calling it "Bridge over the Oeni" ("Oeni Pontum" in Latin).

In 1180 the Counts of Andechs took over the town. The Brenner...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles