Innsbruck

Innsbruck was high on my wishlist for years but especially since last year when I published an article in Oostenrijk Magazine. At the time I passed Innsbruck and caught a few glimpses that made me hungry. Now, end of April 2026, I had the chance and Innsbruck was even more pleasant than expected. On a sunny spring day a lot of young people were enjoying the city but one could also notice a few walking around with their skis and snowboards. The always present mountains are amazing.

Kim posing in front of the Annasäule at the Maria-Theresien-Straße.

After we parked the van at the Parkplatz Messe, we jumped on our bikes to the city center and left them at the at the Universitätsstraße in front of the House der Musik in between all the other bikes of students. Here we found a small passage to the Hofgasse and then the stunning city centre of Innsbruck opens up at the Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, which is more like a square than a street. Immediately straight through I noticed the characteristic Helbling Haus and started to try to rephotograph this photo first, but later more about that one. A next look fell on the famous Goldenes Dachl and I knew where to head to. Kurt Hielscher made his photo from the freshwater fountain near the Trautsonhaus. The fountain dates back to 1806.

What a contrast, the sunglasses and hats for tourists and the 1500 built Golden Roof, made of 2657 gilded tiles in the distance. The roof is considered the city's most famous symbol and it marked the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I (1459-15-19) with his third spouse Bianca Maria Sforza (1472-1510). He was hers second. Though the Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments, and other events that took place in the square below, it turned out not a very happy marriage. Besides that he already had an image of himself between the both Bianca Maria Sforza and his first wife, Maria of Burgundy, painted on the balcony. 

Goldenes Dachl at the Herzog-Friedrich-Straße.

Later more about the Helbling Haus. This man was gently willing to pose with Kurt Hielscher's book opened on the right page: 271 if I would make a shout-out here to contribute to his act. It seems like he came from somewhere in between the house was built in the 15th century and the added "icing-like" Rococo stucco decorations from the 18th century so please do.

Strolling around the city center.

Leopoldsbrunnen with the Tiroler Landestheater on the right and the Hofburg on the left.

More Innsbruck city vibes.

Domplatz.

Dom St.Jacob.

In Dom St.Jakob.

We parked the van at the Messe Parkplatz where we also stayed for the night so we were able to pick up the boys from the train station the next morning.

Family reunited after picking up the boys from the Innsbruck train station. Then we moved on to the Dolomites in Italy.

Below: View on the Golden Roof with the Nordkette.