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 km (18.64 mi) south of Innsbruck. Located in the broad valley between high mountains, the Nordkette (Hafelekar, 2,334 metres (7,657 ft) in the north, Patscherkofel (2,246 metres (7,369 ft)) and Serles (2,718 metres (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 Brucke meaning "bridge" which leads to "the bridge over the Inn".
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Interesting places to visit in Innsbruck:
Golden Roof: Innsbruck's landmark, the Golden Roof, which is over 500 years old, overlooks the buzz in the small alleys of the Old Town. In one of the side streets, there is Innsbruck's cathedral with a famous painting of the Virgin Mary painted by Lucas Cranach.
Imperial Palace and Court Church: The Habsburg's Imperial Palace, which had been built by Emperor Maximilian I, was redesigned by Empress Maria-Theresia in the Late Baroque style. A piece of extraordinary beauty is the so-called “Riesensaal”, which is said to be the most elegant hall for festivities and formalities within the Alpine region. In the corresponding Court Church you can see the (empty) tomb of Emperor Maximilian I. “Black men” (more than life size bronze statues of emperors and kings) line up towards the altar.
Bergisel ski-jump: Innsbruck's new landmark was designed by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Its observation deck offers you a wide panoramic view over the Inn-Valley.
Wilten Collegiate Church: Wilten´s Premonstratensian monastery was built in the 17th century according to drafts made by Christoph Gumpp. After a thorough restoration, the church is now shining again in new splendour.
Coral crucifix in Schloss Ambras
Ambras Castle: Archduke Ferdinand II, who was very much interested in arts and sciences, transformed Ambras Castle into a modern-like museum, which now houses one of the biggest Chambers of Art and Curiosities and the biggest armoury in Europe. Ambras Castle is one of Austria's most beautiful Renaissance castles.
Buildings
Museums
Churches
Parks and gardens