This is just how cute Innsbruck is

Before learning that I would be attending a 5-day conference in Innsbruck, I only knew this city was in western Austria, and not many kilometres far from the border with Italy, and in particular with a German-speaking region called South Tyrol. I had no idea of what the city looked liked, though.

Well, it is this cute.

This is how cute Innsbruck is

The view of the mountains all around is incredible from almost everywhere in town.

The centre of Innsbruck


Even though the main street of Innsbruck is pretty touristic, with souvenir shops and all the things that come with them, I found it pleasant to have a stroll there. Easter was approaching, so there was a lovely Easter market going on. Local products like speck (a kind of spiced Austrian bacon) and strudel were sold on the stalls, as well as decorated eggs. It was interesting to see these, as in Italy we eat chocolate eggs for Easter but we do not decorate real eggs.

If I had to find three words to describe Innsbruck it would be cosy, welcoming and yes, just plain cute. Just look at this pink church with the typical onion-shaped roof of the clock tower, for instance. Isnt't it lovely?



Pink church in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is also the kind of city where people greet you in the street. Everybody was extremely kind and welcoming, genuinely smiling at the tourist or foreigner who approached them. I like this attitude that is not so easy to find in other parts of the world. On the first evening that I was there, tired from my bus journey from Munich, I couldn't find my hotel and I thought I was going in the wrong direction. A local man came to help, and even offered me a lift to the street where I was staying, worried that I may not find the place.


Hats and felt clothes in Innsbruck

During my time in Innsbruck I also visited the Hofburg (8€), which was one of imperial palaces of the Absburg family. This copper-domed structure was one of the residences of the Habsburg emperors. Of course I made sure to check Sissi's apartments, furnished and decorated to accommodate the famous empress. As it often happens in these cases, nevertheless, Sissi only stayed there for one night.

 

Hofburg in Innsbruck

Tragedy has also struck here. As a matter of fact, it was here that famous 18th-century Emperor Maria Theresa had decided to celebrate the wedding of her son, the future emperor Leopold II. When her husband suddenly died during the celebrations, Maria Theresa was profoundly affected, and - very much like Queen Victoria - wore dark mourning clothes for the rest of her life.  
  
It was forbidden to take pictures inside the palace, but I managed to steal one from the marvellous Giants' Hall. Then, while lowering the lenses from the ceiling, I found myself face to face with a grumpy disapproving guardian, and had to put my camera back in its bag. Everything in the palace was elegantly decorated, and I point out this because I haven't found this good taste in every royal palace I have visited!

The Giants' Hall inside the Hofburg in Innsbruck

By the way, I just loved this statue and this red tree in front of the imperial palace. I think spring is a great period of the year to visit Innsbruck, because there was still snow on the surrounding mountains, but the nature was blooming in town.

Statue and red tree in front of the imperial palace

The symbol of the town is the Golden Roof, "Goldenes Dachl" in German. It was built to celebrate the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I with Bianca Maria Sforza, and it served as a royal box, which means that festivals and tournaments must have taken place here.


Golden Roof in the centre of Innsbruck

Just in front of it there is this crazy rococo building. I wonder if people still live here, and if it so how do they feel? I would feel as if inside a wedding cake!


Rococo building in Innsbruck


I also went to visit the Hofkirche, the court church annexed to the imperial palace. It was interesting to visit it because the entire church is dedicated to the memorial of emperor Maximilian I, with very big statues of different kings.  



Statues inside the Hofkirche

 

And what about food? I must confess that before stepping foot in Innsbruck I was a bit sceptical about Austrian cuisine. I have been to Vienna, but I don't remember trying any traditional food there apart from Wiener Schnitzel, which we have in Italy as well and it's called "cotoletta alla Milanese". Austrian cuisine is instead very interesting, and influenced by the history of the country. Goulash is a paprika-seasoned yummy soup of Hungarian origins, while desserts are to die for. I have already written about Austrian cuisine, so I'll leave it at that.

Staying for a few days in Innsbruck was a pleasant experience, even invigorating. As a matter of fact, there is no traffic whatsoever in Innsbruck, the air is very fresh, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Well done Austria!
 



Another picture of the cute statue in front of the Hofburg