There
is, quite simply, no place in the world that compares with Innsbruck: It
is the only major city in the European Alps, and offers a combination of
culture, history and nature unequalled anywhere else. All the comforts of
a modern city are available - and yet one is completely enveloped by some
of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Is there another city where you
can see the majestic grandeur of the Alps from wherever you happen to find
yourself standing?
The
Habsburgs obviously counted themselves lucky that this city was within
their realm. And what used to be more or less
exclusive Habsburg vacation territory has long been accessible to the
entire world - and the entire world comes to Innsbruck, the ideal vacation
spot. In the meantime, modern roads have replaced ancient trading routes
that were built to traverse the mountains.
800-year-old Innsbruck, even though it predates the Austrian empire,
owes much to the Habsburgs, who, in turn, have left a distinct imprint
during their 640-year long reign of Austria: it was mainly due to the
monarchy that Innsbruck established its reputation as a cultural center,
and as a city of numerous art treasures and many historic structures.
Innsbruck's rich history is interwoven with that of the Habsburgs, whose
wealth and sense of beauty and history left their mark: take the Goldene
Dachl (Golden Roof), which is composed of 2,600 gilded tiles. One stands
with awe in front of the Schwarze Mander (Black Men), 28 black larger than
life bronze statues surrounding Emperor Maximilian's cenotaph at the Court
Church (Hofkirche). The Gothic Imperial Court Palace with its Giant's
Hall, Court Chapel and exhibition rooms is yet another example of the
opulence of this imperial city. And the beautifully preserved romantic
Renaissance-style Ambras Castle includes a world-renowned portrait
gallery, featuring works by Titian, Van Dyck and Rubens.
 The
reputation of the Innsbruck Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art extends far beyond
Austrian borders. It is the most important folk-art collection in the
Alpine region including reconstructed rooms, original furniture, authentic
costumes, old farming implements, and carnival masks. Its unique
exhibition of historical and traditional Christmas crèches is open all
year round. The crèches on display provide a superb insight into the
development of this fascinating custom, which dates from 1608 with the
Christmas crèche erected in Innsbruck's Jesuit church.
Even before the Tyrol became known as a winter sports Mecca,
affluent Viennese and other Austrians used to spend their entire summer
holidays in the mountains.
In the meantime, these vacations have become accessible to
everyone, and summer vacationing in the Tyrol is no longer an exclusive
privilege for the idle rich. To be idle is indeed difficult in Innsbruck
- there's simply too much to do: mountain hiking and biking
programs accommodate beginners and experts alike; there's golf, tennis,
paragliding, hang-gliding, tandem-parachute jumping or rafting; there are
mountain-bike trails of all levels of difficulty and, of course,
excursions from easy walks to moderately difficult hikes for those who
don't want to exert themselves too much. And one can enjoy a sport that's
unique to Europe - summer tobogganing on the famed Olympic run. If one
wants to enjoy the view without much effort, an aerial tour over the Alps
in a small sports plane might be just the thing.
Innsbruck, which has twice been an Olympic city, has a reputation
for winter sports to uphold. And they are available in abundance: Alpine
and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice sports, tobogganing and
bobsled rides. Snow is guaranteed from mid-December to mid-April. Two of
the seven ski areas in the greater Innsbruck area are of Olympic standard
and the city has recently become a venue for world-class snowboarding
events.
Swarovski Crystal Worlds:
The crystal ornaments of Swarovski, which are produced quite close to
Innsbruck, are so popular that they are collected worldwide by people who
have never even set foot in Austria! What better way to spend an afternoon
(or even an entire day) than by taking an excursion from Innsbruck to
Wattens, the source of these wondrous objects? Swarovski Crystal Worlds is
not only a great place to shop, but it is an experience not to be missed it
contains a museum with ever-changing breathtakingly beautiful exhibitions,
and its serene beauty has led many a visitor to stay and meditate.
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