What are the most important landmarks to see first and foremost in Innsbruck? Without a doubt, the original architecture of the city deserves the highest attention. Ambras Castle, Basilika Wilten, Hofkirche, Tivoli-Neu, Triumphpforte and many others – are the architectural landmarks that attract millions of tourists every year. Let’s visit Innsbruck right now by making a virtual tour using our fantastic 3D flight simulator! Just start the video on this page and make a flight over the main sites of Innsbruck, which are presented in a three-dimensional format. Besides that, our review includes interesting facts and colorful photos of every monument.
Ambras Castle, Innsbruck
Location on the map: 
Facts:
» The 16th-century white-stone castle stands on an alpine hill. It was used by royals as a recreation house. 
Facts:» There used to be a medieval fortress on the site. Italian architects had to turn the citadel into a palace.
» The archduke was keen on collecting unusual artifacts. The bottom level of the building has a collection of old weapons, printed publications, and manuscripts. The sculptural compositions of horsemen and horses are of interest. All riders are dressed in combat gear.
» One of the halls exhibits 200 portraits of the Habsburg dynasty representatives painted by famous artists.
» The Chamber of Art and Wonders is sort of an exhibition of images depicting unusual characters, for example, the sketches of Vlad Dracula. The Death figurine is made of real bone.
» The monarch fulfilled his idea of a specific location of objects. The area dedicated to art has lots of caskets, statuettes, bronze items, and crafts from shrubs with openwork carving. The items of the same structure (wood, metal, silver) are placed side by side. A colour background is chosen for each of them: gold glitters against blue; wooden items are located against red; stones look better against green.
Basilika Wilten, Innsbruck
Location on the map: Facts:
» The basilica was erected on the site of the ancient sanctuary. In 1140, Wilten was under the patronage of Presbyterian monks. Facts:» Centuries later, a new building with twin towers was constructed. The belfries were built on both sides of the main building. They have a distinctive feature – carved tops and high spires. An inscription dedicated to Benedict XVI, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, is engraved above the central portal.
» The building is distinct in multiple stucco decorations and architectural ledges. Many details are gilded. The ceiling is covered with biblical frescoes. The organ has 24 registers. The altar elevation is dotted with intricate curls. The altar is surrounded by 4 columns. It is topped by a wreath-shaped dome symbolizing the glory to the Mother of God.
» Under the tent, there is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary dating from the 14th century. The figure is made of sandstone. Thousands of pilgrims come here to bow to the holy object. The palette of colours is subdued. Pastel shades prevail. The yellow cloister with white ornament looks gorgeous against the backdrop of an alpine hill.
» Wilten Basilica is a functioning parish church.
Hofkirche, Innsbruck
Location on the map: Facts:
» The tomb of the ruler of the Roman Empire is located in the Hofkirche. It took 80 years to construct the sarcophagus of Maximilian I. Facts:» There’s a sculpture of the lord kneeling down at the base of the black marble box. The sacred place is hidden behind an ornamental openwork fence. The mausoleum is decorated with relief scenes from the monarch’s life. The remains of the emperor rest in another city. The church served as a symbolic grave glorifying the commander.
» A Renaissance church organ is installed here. It’s been here since 1560 and remained almost intact.
» The religious institution had been built for ten years since 1553.
» Tall bronze statues rise on the sides of the central hall. All of them are dedicated to the legendary ancestors of the reigning dynasty.
» The interior is replete with luxury. To enhance the wealth, some of the items are metal or marble.
» Silberner Kapelle (Silver Chapel) adjoins the Hofkirche. It is called so due to the abundance of valuable decor: the altar elevation has silver images carved on wood. These are quotes from prayers.
» The building was the last refuge of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife.
Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck
Location on the map: Facts:
» It’s a multi-purpose stadium next to the Olympic centre. It was called the Tivoli-Neu Entertainment Park. Facts:» Home games of football and American football teams are held here.
» It can hold 17,400 fans.
» It was opened in the autumn of 2000. It took just 18 months to build the construction.
» 2008 international football battles took place in the arena. To make it possible, the organizers increased the number of seats to 31,600.
» After the championship, the temporary stand structures weighing 3.5 tons were dismantled and put up for auction for 5 million euros. They were not sold, though. The metalwork was sent for remelting. Although the general construction cost 30 million euros.
» Tirol Werbung has been the owner of the stadium since 2011, when the complex got its current name – Tivoli Stadion Tirol.
» The size of the ellipse-shaped playing field is 105x68 m.
» There’s a modern infrastructure around it. The recreation area occupies 10 square kilometres. There are specialized shops, health salons, clubs. An open-air swimming pool and a figure skating ground have become quite popular.
Triumphpforte, Innsbruck
Location on the map: Facts:
» The monumental gate was constructed in 1765. There had been an arched pedestal resembling an ancient Roman pillar before. It was surrounded by medieval walls and almost invisible. Facts:» It was constructed upon the order of Empress Maria Theresa. The ground was cleared for this. The arch was located in the open air, on the south side of one of the city streets.
» The memorable stele does not pay tribute to soldiers’ deeds. It was constructed to remind of the marriage of the grandee’s son.
» During the wedding ceremony, the sad event took place. The ruler’s husband died. That is why the exterior bas-reliefs of the Triumphal Arch embody both happiness and sorrow.
» The south side is decorated with profile pictures of newlyweds. There is the picture of the wedding ceremony above the gate.
» The north side is dedicated to the sad rite, mourning over the Kaiser.
» The foundation of the memorable construction is light sandstone. The prehistoric fossil was damaged by wind and water.
» Decorative elements of white marble contrast with the background of yellow stone. Marble bowls, flower wreaths, flags, sculptures, and bas-reliefs make the facade more luxurious.
Anbetungskirche, Innsbruck
Facts: » One of the most significant monasteries in Europe with paintings of angels is located near the city park. The temple belongs to the monastery Order of Eternal Worship.
» According to the remaining belief, the founder of the community saw a heavenly angel. It was dressed in a snow-white robe when the woman saw it.
» The exterior is abundantly painted with coloured frescoes picturing God’s messengers in colourful clothes and the elders holding precious bowls and scrolls in their hands. The wall paintings depict the scenes from the biblical life of saints. The composition is crowned with a deep-blue rose.
» The cathedral is easily recognizable due to its religious facade design.
» The church has a bell tower.
» It’s calm and peaceful in the cosy hall. The place is suitable for spiritual purification and confession.
» The Church of Eternal Worship belongs to Catholicism, the religion with more than 1,000 years of history. It was formed in the monasteries of Europe in the 9th century.
» The custom of eternal worship is based on the fact that bread and wine are sanctified during the Christian rite and symbolize the body and blood of the Lord. Thanks to communion, the Orthodox reunite with God.
Tyrolean State Museum, Innsbruck
Facts: » The national cultural institution, one of the oldest ones in the world, was founded during the era of Austria-Hungary.
» It is also known as Ferdinandeum called so after Archduke Ferdinand who collected antiques.
» The exhibits vividly demonstrate the historical formation of the area. Fragments of fossils, works by famous painters, objects of cultural and everyday life, chronicles and photos, weapons, etc. show the 30-year-old history of the Tyrolean region.
» The museum is divided into several zones: prehistoric discoveries, paintings, Dutch musical and antique objects, the chronicle of Tyrol, technical progress.
» The famous Wieser brothers became patrons of the museum. They presented the organization with a collection of folk crafts, numismatics, 130 Flemish canvases. Stams Monastery presented its art collection.
» There are 2,500 manuscripts of the 9th-20th centuries in the library repository. These include menologies, popular prints, theatre posters and tickets, the first printed books.
» The guides in the foundry gallery will tell you everything about the stages of bell production.
Cathedral of Saint James, Innsbruck
Facts: » The church has unique religious objects preserved. There is a work by a German Renaissance painter – Madonna and Child. The icon is called Maria Hilf and is located in the centre of the altar. The carved frame is gilded.
» There’s a tomb of Maximilian III, an archduke from the Austrian dynasty (1620). There is an organ in the room. Its shining tubes stand out against a dark blue background. The organ is dressed in a wooden case. Columns rise in the hall. They are made of pink marble. The walls are covered with frescoes.
» The cathedral was constructed between 1717 and 1724. There is evidence that there used to be a 12th-century church on this site. Pilgrims found shelter in it.
» The earthquake of 1689 destroyed the building. Thirty years later, it was restored.
» Another major reconstruction took place in the 1960s. The building was seriously damaged during the Second World War artillery strike.
» The facade is decorated with arch-shaped window openings.
» The church has two bell towers. One has a working clockwork. The watch is over 300 years old. The other one has 48 bells. They ring at noon glorifying the world.
