Home UpInnsbruck

Inssbruck, population 130,000, is the metropolis of Tyrol. It's also at the point on the Inn where traffic heads south to the Brenner Pass and Italy.

Best place to start: the City Tower, built in 1358 though in its present form from 1560. Stairs are good for you.

The Herzog Friedrich Strasse is another pedestrianized street. Note the long ridges and solidly built-up blocks, along with the modern buildings in the distance.

Here's the Eiffel Tower of Innsbruck. It's the Goldener Dachl, covered about 1500 with gold-plated copper tiles in a display of conspicuous consumption by Maximilian I.

Nearby, the Dom St. Jakob, or Cathedral of St. James.

The Hofburg adjoins the cathedral; it's the city's palace and took its present form in 1770, when Maria Theresa was on the throne.

Circling back to the Goldener Dachl and admiring the corner taper.

Another instance.

It's not evident, but these apartments around the cathedral square have a similar batter.