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Innsbruck may not have as much museums and historical sites as Vienna, but this city west of Austria has a life of its own: it comes alive at winter not only because of Christmas but also due to the arrival of thousands of ski enthusiasts who testify to its stature as the “winter sports capital of Europe” and the largest ski resort in the Alps. It has already hosted the world’s Winter Olympics twice, and is set to host the first ever Winter Youth Olympics.

Iconic architecture

Apart from the Alps, the landmark that best represents Innsbruck’s fame in winter sports is Bergiselschanze, a ski jumping tower designed by world-famous Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Another structure deemed iconic in Innsbruck is Goldenes Dachl, or The Golden Roof, a 16th century balcony gilded with 2,657 copper tiles containing the coat of arms and other images significant to the life of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.

Medieval art and buildings

In Hofkirche, the tomb of Maximilian I is regarded to be the most important of his monuments in Europe. Apart from housing his remains, the crypt contains larger-than-life bronzes of the members of the different dynasties of the Holy Roman Empire.

At the heart of Innsbruck lie more medieval structures like Schloss Ambrass, the 16th century castle of Archduke Ferdinand II; the baroque St. James’ Cathedral; the rococo Hofburg home of Empress Maria Theresa; the Gothic altarpieces of Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum; and the 1000-square-meter painting Riesenrundgemälde, one of the world’s last-surviving 24 panoramas.

Traditional and modern culture

As the capital of Tyrol state, Innsbruck is the center of Tyrolean culture, which survives through the 400-year-old bell-making tradition at Grassmayr Glockenmuseum; and the folk arts on display at Vokskunst Museum. Since Innsbruck is also home to the country’s third-biggest student population, the city is peppered with many pubs, cafés, restaurants, and bars catering to those who would like to indulge in Nachtleben (nightlife).

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