At the river Inn, Innsbruck

Living in Innsbruck means living at the river Inn with its nice pathways for walking and cycling. The most beautiful times of the year are spring and autumn. In Spring, the flowers and trees are blossoming while the mountains are still white and full of snow, building a phantastic background to all the life spreading around you. Going to work with your bicycle can turn to be such a wonderful morning, because you can enjoy a scenery that is so relaxed and beautiful. In autumn when the trees are changing colors you feel like in Indian summer (we also have it here ;-)!!!)

The locals enjoy the pathways on each side of the river for running, walking or cycling. Students are hanging out there (sometimes with a little too much alcohol ...), enjoying the late afternoon sun and exchanging ideas and thoughts with their fellow students. Children are learning to go on a bicycle and elder people are sitting on the benches and watching the others.

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OK, so we all want bright sunshine etc when we are on holidays. But the mountains are changeable, and sometimes there are pretty dramatic affects. The weather was dreadful on this day, but to see the clouds sweep down the river like this was pretty spectacular - and then to walk up towards Hungerborg, to peer into the valley below as well as actually be among the clouds was a wonderful, strangely isolating activity.

Much of altstadt Innsbruck is located on or near the banks of the River Inn. The name of the city is derived from the first medieval bridge built across the river ( Inn brucke ). The pedestrain promenade along the river bank offers superb views of altstadt. Close to the north bank of the river are the magestic mountains where the pristine streams that feed the river originate. The surrounding mountains provide a very scenic backdrop for the city.

Most of the altstadt buildings including those pictured were built in the Gothic era, but owe most of their present exterior appearance to the Rennaisance and Baroque eras. The twin bell towers shown are of the city cathedral ( dom zu sk. Jakob ). The ancient cathedral which dominates the city center, was rebuilt in the high Baroque style from 1717 to 1724.

A little bit of history:

There is evidence of a settlement at the Innsbruck area from the early Stone Age, 4,000 BC. Remains of Bronze Age settlements, dating back to 2,000 BC, were found all over the area as well. Remnants of Illyrian urns can be found in Hötting, Mühlau and Völs, as well as in Wilten and on foot of Bergisel Hill.

Innsbruck lies at the junction of the main historic route across the Brenner Pass, a major crossroad of the Roman Empire that forked off at Innsbruck both to the West towards Arlberg and to the East towards Salzburg / Munich

Circa 1180 there was the first recorded mention of the bridge crossing the Inn River. The name of the town is derived from the original meaning "Bridge over the Inn". This bridge was a key factor in the development of trade and the movement of goods between regions both north and south of the Alps.

One look at the scenery around Innsbruck and you understand why this is a "must-see." I spent the afternoon taking the cable car up to Hungerburg and then hiking around up there, shooting pictures of the beautiful mountains around Innsbruck. This pic was taken as I crossed a bridge on my way (lost!) to the train station. "Immer links!" a woman directed me, so I just kept turning left and luckily caught my train! Thanks Immer Links Lady!

Riesenrundgemälde

Riesenrundgemälde is next to the river Inn. It is a huge painting, showing you the Battle of Bergisel on 13. august 1809, leading man was Andreas Hofer. This painting reminds me of 'Panorama Mesdag in The Hague'.

You are standing on a platform, so you can see the painting at its best. it is about 1,000 sq/m big.

Next to the Riesenrundgemälde you find the funicular to the Nockspitze at 2406 m. high.

Opening Hours

The Panorama Painting is open daily April 01 to October 31, 09:00am to 5:00pm

Walking alongside the river with colourful buildings beside you and a glorious background of snow-capped mountains and the symphony of rushing water just beneath you is certainly a calming way to see this city.

You can´t have been to Innsbruck without having a look at the so called "green" Inn. The water really looks greeen a bit..... You can have a walk along the Inn for example.... I liked the colorful houses......