EUROPE 2022

 INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA

Innsbruck is a beautiful little city with lovely architecture surrounded by mountains, which gives one a very peaceful image.  It is, however, a bustling city because there is a huge university there and the city generates a lot of tourism, primarily from European tourists.  We spent two nights here.

Wiltener Basilika, also known as St. Mary of the Madonna Beneath the Four Columns.  There are 42 Catholic churches and only 2 Protestant churches in Innsbruck.

We were only allowed to go into the foyer of the church so these two pictures were taken from between the security bars in the foyer.  The second picture is a close up of the crown which is said to contain over 3 kgs of gold.  This might be the reason for limiting visitors into the church.

A view of the city of Innsbruck

from atop the mountain leading up to the Olympic Ski Jump.

The Olympic Ski Jump from the 1976 Winter Olympics.  On the left, you can see the narrow rail for the funicular which transports people up to the jump and back down again.

Two flame cauldrons from the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics.  The smaller one on the right is from the 2021 winter youth olympics.

Rear view of the tomb of Emperor Maximillian I which is in the Church of the Court.  The church was built in 1553 by Maximillian's grandson, Emperor Ferdinand I, as a memorial to his grandfather.  The tomb is actually empty.

Front view of the tomb.

Bronze sculptures of family members, wives, et al placed around the tomb.  Sculptures were made of wood before being made of bronze.  They were supposed to be hung from the ceiling but were too heavy for the roof.  The plan was to build 40 statues but only 28 were done.

The Golden Roof is in the Old Town section of Innsbruck....lots of restaurants in this area.  The roof was completed in 1500 and it is decorated with 2,657 copper tiles for Emperor Maximillian I to mark his wedding to Bianca Sforza.  The emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments and other special events which took place in the square below.

The beautiful building of Helbling House is located in the same square across from the Golden Roof.

The Homburg Imperial Palace was the winter residence of the Hadsburg dynasty and is now used as the official residence and office of the President of Austria.  It also houses the congress centre and meeting rooms.