An Innsbruck Winter Gallery
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol, one of Austria’s nine states, and its strategic location on the River Inn has made it an important communications hub since Roman times.
The Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian I made his home here, and to celebrate his wedding to Bianca Maria Storza in 1494, the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) building was constructed in the centre of the Altstadt. Not only is it still here, but it has also become the city’s emblem.
I think it’s fair to say though, that most people don’t come to Innsbruck for its history, but for access to the mountains, especially during wintertime when the Tyrol beckons skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Twice the city has been home to the Winter Olympics – in 1964 and again in 1976.
Neither me nor my long-suffering wife are into winter sports, but we chose to come here around Christmastime in 2007 to get the best of both worlds, and below is a selection of pictures of the city itself, its local mountain range, the Nordkette, and the nearby ski resort of Seefeld.
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- View of Innsbruck and the Nordkette from the City Tower
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- Innsbruck and the River Inn
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- St Jakob’s Cathedral
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- Golden Roof
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- Schloss Ambras
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- Schloss Ambras – the 16th century Spanish Hall
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- Schloss Ambras – the Hairy Family Portraits – Madeleine Gonzales c1500
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- Wilten
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- Christmastime in the Altstadt
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- Bergisel Ski Jump
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- View of Innsbruck from the Bergisel Ski Jump
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- View of Innsbruck from Hafelekar on the Nordkette
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- The Inn Valley from Hafelekar
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- Mountain views from Hafelekar
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- Snow Bunting
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- Seefeld – The Seekirchl Chapel
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- Seefeld – the Harmelekopf Cable Car
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- Seefeld Village from Rosschute
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- Seefeld and the Hohe Munde mountain from the Seefeld Ridge
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- The Austrian Alps from the Seefeld Ridge
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- A View of the Austria-Germany border
Beautiful!🍂🔔🍮🍂🔔😉
Who doesn’t like a snowy scene, especially when we’re tucked up indoors with a nice warm cup of coffee 🙂
Oh wow, this looks a real winter wonderland, Malc. Absolutely beautiful. I haven’t been to Innsbruck, but I have been to Salzburg which is also very beautiful and looks similar in some ways. Makes me feel all Christmassy. 🙂
I’m glad Innsbruck has made you feel Christmassy Alli. I’d rather have snow than all this rain we’ve been having, but tomorrow the days start to get longer again, which is something to look forward to 🙂
I’d forgotten that it’s the shortest day today, but you’re right, of course, after today the days start getting longer. And I’m with you on the perpetual rain. It’s a bit much on top of everything else, isn’t it?
It’s all a bit depressing at the moment, but it will get better 🙂
God, I hope so. We’ve just gone into Tier 4, and I fear for what it’s going to do to the kids again, and me for that matter.
I hope it doesn’t get you down too much. If things do get on top of you and you want a sympathetic ear, you know where I am – seriously!
Thanks, Malc. The same goes for you.
🙂
I’ve never been to this part of Austria (only to the east) and would love to! Great gallery Malcolm 🙂
Thank you Sarah. I love places where you can get great views without it having to be hard work to get them 🙂
I learned to ski in Innsbruck at the tender age of about three. It was all so very different back then.
At least you’ve got the memories.
WoW! Fabulous photography and what a lovely city! Makes me appreciate Christmas much more. Great post Malc, take good care and all the best!
Francesc
Your comments always flatter me F, but I agree that Innsbruck is a great winter destination, especially around Christmastime. Stay safe my friend.
Yes my friend, I truly believe that staying safe is the most important this holiday season. I am a little disappointed in my fellow Spaniards as some are showing that a family gathering is more important than stopping this pandemic and right now, before this holiday weekend (Constitution Day) they are rushing out of Madrid and Barcelona like the world is coming to an end! Incredible! Where are the wise and prudent people that with such discipline withstood the rights of the confinement last Spring? I tell you Malc, people are strange! Take good care and all the best. Let’s share a virtual drink this weekend, to your health my friend! 😊 🍷🙋🏼♂️
We still need to be vigilant even though there’s a vaccine coming. Cheers Francesc 🍷
So true! Cheers 🍻
Stunning. I love Austria! Innsbruck is just so magical with the mountains at the end of the high-street!
We need something magical to keep us all going sometimes Karen don’t we? Thanks for your lovely comment again 🙂
Malcolm, you must have been extremely pleased with your decision to visit Innsbruck during Christmastime as the scenery and atmosphere at that time of year must have been amazing and a time for great photos. Love all your photos but the opening photo with the light, Christmas decoration and mountains in the background is magical!
Austria is indeed magical at Christmastime Sylvia and thank you so much for your lovely comments. If you haven’t been, maybe it’s one for you in the future once we can get back to some sort of normality.