Destination: INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA

THINGS TO SEE IN INNSBRUCK

• Hofkirche, Universitätsstraße 2. 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.

• 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.

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

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

• Schloss Ambras

• Hofburg

• Bergiselschanze (Bergisel ski-jump), Bergiselweg 3 (take the tram lines 1, 6, STB or the bus line TS). 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. Free entrance with the Innsbruck-Card.

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

• 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.

• Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch), south 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.

• Alpinist Association Museum, Wilhelm-Greil-Straße.

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

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

• Hofburg, Rennweg (close to the Old Town). It was modified to rokoko-style by order of the empress Maria Theresia.

• Kaiserjägermuseum, Bergisel.

• Maximilianeum Goldenes Dachl (german website), Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. Information on the impressive life of emperor Maximilian I.

• Riesenrundgemälde, 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.

• Schloss Ambras, Schloßstraße (tram lines 3, 6 and bus line Sightseer). 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.

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

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

• Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum (Folk art museum) and Hofkirche, Universitätsstraße

• 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.

• Alpine garden

• Botanical garden

• Hofgarten, entrances at Rennweg and Kaiserjägerstraße. Open daily 09:00 until sunset, in Juli and August it is lit until 23:00. Access to the cafe until 02:00 on weekends. Hofgarten was originally founded as a hunting ground by Friedrich mit der leeren Tasche, later it was declared a public garden. In 1885, the Hofgarten was remodeled into an english garden. Entrance is free.

• Alpenzoo, Weiherburggasse 37 (accessible using the Hungerburgbahn - short footway - or by bus, line TS). 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.

THINGS TO DO IN INNSBRUCK

• Nordpark 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.

• Patscherkofelbahn 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.