Court Church, Innsbruck

On this walking Tour, together with your personal Guide, you will explore the center of Innsbruck, the so called "Old Town". Set between the surrounding Northern and Central Alps, Innsbruck is since several thousand years a crossing between North- and Southeurope. Todays Maria Theresien Straße was the first suburb of Innsbruck, several old baroque Town Palais of the then Nobel Families line the street. We will start our trip there, and then cross into the Old Town, the medival city center with many houses dating back to the times of Emperor Maximilain I. around 1500. Follow the narrow streets and get back into times, when international merchants brought their products from far countries into the town. From the name giving brige over the river Inn, we enjoy a spectacular view on the Northern Chain, the Alpine range north of the city. Back in the busy city, the Golden Roof, Innsbrucks best known sight seeing spot brings alive the time of the court of Emperor Maximilian and his family, the Habsburgs. We will enter the Dome of St. James and have a look at one of the most remarkable pieces of Art in Innsbruck, Lucas Cranach the Elder`s picture "Maria Hilf or Mary with Child". The Dome is also burial place to one of the Souvereigns of Tyrol and well known for its splendid ceiling paintings and interior. We will end our Tour in front of the Imperial Palace, home to the local Tyrolian branch of the Habsburg Family and the Court Church, memorial grave of Emperor Maximilian and most likely the most important and beautiful Grave of an Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. For tours lasting 2 or more hours, we recommend - optionally - entries into either the Imperial Castle, the Court Church or any of the Museums in Town.

The city of Innsbruck is not only the largest ski resort in the Alps, but also a treasure trove of history of empires and republics. It is easy to reach the city from Munich, making it a great destination for a day trip. Let us show you the wonders of Innsbruck! The 9-hour tour will begin with a pickup from your accommodation in Munich, so you can sit down, relax and admire the picturesque landscapes of mountains and valleys as you cross the Alps that separate Germany and Austria. When you get out of the car in Innsbruck, all your senses will be delighted by a breeze of fresh air and the captivating atmosphere of the historic Old Town. During the walking tour you will discover historical and cultural highlights of Innsbruck, starting with the 16th-century imperial palace Hofburg and the grand 18th-century baroque Cathedral of St. Jakob. At every turn you will discover ornate residences such as the Golden Roof and Helbing House and learn about the city’s notable residents who include Holy Roman Emperors, Queens, professors, painters and great sportsmen. Innsbruck is also home to several sacred monuments, such as Hofkirche (Court Church) and St Anne’s Column. You will also see the Roman-style triumphal arch Triumphpforte and Landhausplatz. At the end of the guided tour you will have plenty of free time to admire the scenery of baroque architecture blended with a backdrop of picturesque mountains, do souvenir shopping, or even take a cable car ride from Innsbruck to Hungerburg. We offer 2 versions of this tour. A fully guided tour means that your Private Guide will accompany you in the car so that you can enjoy the commentary and ask questions along the way. The guide on site option means that you will explore Innsbruck’s Old Town with a Local Guide who will meet you at the destination. Both options include the same walking route and a round trip car transfer from Munich.

Start your tour by a visit to the Stadtturm, also known as the Innsbruck City Tower. It stands 51 meters high and was previously also used as a part of the Town Hall for important meetings. A viewing deck is about 31 meters high from where you will see beautiful views of the city. The Medieval tower dates back to the 14th century along with the Old Rathaus (The Old Town Hall) which adjoins it. You will see one of the most famous landmarks of Innsbruck, the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) located in the Old Town of Innsbruck. Its roof is made up of 2657 gold plated copper tiles. It was built to mark the wedding of the Emperor Emperor Maximilian I to Bianca Maria Sforza and used to watch events in the square below. Admire the architecture of the Hofburg (The Imperial Palace). It was a royal palace that was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and further remodeled in the 18th century to Baroque and Rococo styles. It is currently a museum and houses portraits of the royal family. It is amongst the topmost important historical and cultural monuments in Austria. It took 15 years of work to restore it to what it would have looked like. The rooms of especially Maria Theresa and the Empress Elizabeth are worth a visit. Visit the Hofkirche (the Court Church) which has a Gothic and Renaissance style. It was built in 1553 by the Emperor Ferdinand I. Here you will see the tomb of the Emperor Maximilian I along with 28 bronze statues of the emperor's ancestors and close aides. You will have a chance to see the Dom zu St. Jakob (the Cathedral of Saint James) which is also known as the Innsbruck Cathedral. Although the Cathedral dates back to the 18th century, a Church already existed on its site as early as the 12th century. Here you will see the famous painting known as the Maria Hilf by the German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. Stroll on the Maria Theresia street where you will see houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Here you will find many shops offering souvenirs. You will see beautiful mountain views towards the north of the street. As you continue to stroll, famous landmarks such as the St. Anne's Column and the Triumphal Arch will be seen along the way. Finish your tour at the Triumphpforte (The triumphal Arch) located towards the Southern end of the Maria Theresa street. It was built in August 1765 to mark the wedding of Archduke Leopold to Maria Luisa, the Spanish princess. He was the second son of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen of Lorraine. Francis Stephen died shortly after the wedding in a span of 13 days. The northern facade of the arch depicts the mourning of the emperor while the southern facade depicts the wedding.