Four Days in The Austrian Tyrol
Tour the Tyrol and enjoy the landscape and its people is a luxury for any mortal. And it’s not too much to say. The Austrian region is beautiful as any since their views are genuine cards.
The Tyrolese are gentle and hospitable, they were not surprised that some locals will open the doors of his house to invite you to a delicious Schnaps (apricot brandy and other fruit). But the best way to learn is by visiting the Tyrol. Do not lie, many want to return.
Innsbruck, the pearl of the Alps “
What better way to get to know the Tyrol to visit its capital, Innsbruck, a Tyrolean village where traditions blend perfectly with the modernity of a great city. Innsbruck has a vertebral artery which is the Maria Theresa Strasse, which runs from the famous Arc de Triomphe and ends at the square where stands the column of Santa Ana Empress Maria Teresa was king for forty years and introduced major reforms in government, including the abolition of slavery, schooling and the regulation of servitude law.
A historical fact is that Maria Theresa of Austria was the mother of Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, beheaded along with her husband during the French Revolution.
Golden Roof, one of the most important tourist attractions in Innsbruck
Although there was an emperor in love with it was certainly Innsbruck Maximilian I, father of Juana la Loca. In fact, the emperor built his own royal tomb in the church of the Court, a beautiful monument of bronze and surrounded by 28 magnificent statues of monarchs of the same era. Each statue weighs between 1,100 and 1,600 kilos and all of them are true works of art. Maximilian I also ordered the construction of the most significant monument of the city, the Golden Canopy says it was ordered to be built in honor of his second wife, Bianca Maria Sforza, an Italian millionaire, whom he married out of necessity, since the emperor I was deeply in debt.
Left, woman with typical Tyrolean dress, center, in the warmer months many people traveling by bicycle Innsbruck, right, statues of the church of the Court
Innsbruck is located in the Camino de Santiago is therefore not surprising that the cathedral is dedicated to Santiago de Compostela. The building has a curiosity and that of the three upper windows, only the middle one is true. The other two are painted on the facade. Innsbruck is a quiet town. Many people ride bicycles and there is excellent public transport network. A little over three years Nordpark funicular opened, designed by Zaha Hadid known that in only fifteen minutes links the city with the mountains and ski slopes. In this sense, the city can boast of having twice hosted the winter Olympics (in 1964 and 1976).
Innsbruck can boast of having hosted two Winter Olympics times (1964 and 1976)
Inn River, which flows through from west to east Tirol, Innsbruck passes and for many centuries was a real natural border. In fact, Innsbruck place name means “bridge over the River Inn.” On the north bank of the river are the so-called German neighborhoods. Some say that the roofs of the houses found in Mary Street Aid, located in this area have the same form as the mountains, though many believe that this is said after taking a few Schnaps.
Rattenberg, the great unknown
Rattenberg, with only 440 inhabitants, is the smallest town in Austria. And we were right in saying city, despite its small population, it is this category since the late fourteenth century. Rattenberg is right in the center of the Valley Inn, in the region Alpbachtal Seenland, and was of great importance as it was once a border town between Bavaria and the Tirol.
Rattenberg, with only 440 inhabitants, is the smallest city in Austria
Rattenberg was a mining town, in fact, the building which houses the Folk Museum was once the home of the miners. You can travel throughout the city in half an hour (you have to imagine then your tiny extension) and all the shops are on Main Street.
In Rattenberg glass is a great tradition that was imported from Bohemia centuries ago. Because of its location beside the River Inn, Rattenberg has suffered many floods over its history. The houses were really prepared and they all had boats to navigate the streets when they were flooded. In addition, at the time that the city would flood, the ground floor of the houses were moved upstairs with a pulley system. For this reason, Rattenberg was known also by the “little Venice.”
Alpbachtal and Seenland, nature and tradition to the maximum
Alpbach residents say that is the prettiest village in Austria. They may think they are exaggerated but once you take the population can not be denied to be contention. The town is full of typical Tyrolean houses made of wood, with balconies decorated with geraniums. There is a curious competition among neighbors as they challenge each other to see who is the one with the balconies with beautiful flowers. This kind of competition certainly benefits to the aesthetics of the population and in the eyes of visitors as the houses are spectacular.
Alpbach residents say that is the prettiest village in Austria
Alpbachtal Tyrolean region is an ideal destination for a holiday in any season. In winter, of course, is a perfect place for skiing. During the rest of the year can go trekking and enjoy your time one of the most spectacular scenery in the Tyrol.
Alpbachtal Tyrolean region is an ideal destination for a holiday in any season
Green fields, perfectly preserved farmhouses, and centennial chapels are some of the attractions to be found.
Alpbachtal is, above all, a perfect destination for family tourism
In Seenland region is the Museum of Tyrolean Kramsach Farms, one of the most interesting and typical of this area. This outdoor museum, established in 1974, is dedicated to preserving the tradition of Tyrol farms just before the Industrial Revolution.
Canopy Farms Museum Kramsach
There are 15 traditional houses from different locations in the Tyrol restored and equipped as they were centuries ago.
Hall, city money
Hall is a town of about 13,000 people very close to Innsbruck. Hall, whose old German place name means “salt” was very important years for three reasons: the exploitation of rock salt, the coining of money and being a very important river port. Worth a visit is certainly the “Casa de la Moneda” created by Archduke Sigismund, driver of Thaler, one of the major currencies circulated by Austria. This museum was inaugurated in 2005, 40,000 people visit it annually. In addition, you can see works curious as largest silver coin in the world that did for the European Football Championship 2008 and for the commemoration of 500 years of the proclamation of the first European emperor, Maximilian I. As is noteworthy that this coin was the first in which the word Europe. Finally, as attractive to add, any visitor can strike at the museum and take their own money and a truly unique souvenir.
Mint Hall
Hall has a medieval old town that is structured around the Oberer Platz where the Town Hall, St. Nicholas Church (destroyed by an earthquake in 1670) and the Chapel of Santa Magdalena. Other important monuments are the church of the Jesuits and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds Museum is one of the most visited Austria
A ten minute drive from Hall in the village of Wattens, is the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Museum, a truly recommendable excursion. Opened in 1985 to mark the centenary of the company, the museum is a paradise where you can admire a great number of works and where they mix a lot of visual sensation, auditory and olfactory.
Imst-Gurgltal, an adventure
In the region of Imst-Gurgltal there are a number of visits necessary. One of them is Starkenberg Castle in the village of Tarrenz, which performs one of the best beers in Austria. Anecdotally, this site can take a dip in the drink, a highly recommended from personal experience, since the barley has a large number of beneficial properties for skin and hair. Obviously, bathing in beer is not pure, but in warm water with barley. In this region, particularly in Hoch-Imst, is one of the longest mountain slides in the Alps, the Alpine Coaster. The Alpine Coaster has a length of just over 3,500 meters, 70 curves, 16 and 25 jumping waves. The descent takes about 12 minutes.
Tarrenz Schaferfest hosts every year (Festival of Sheep)
Also noteworthy was the Imst Carnival Museum. This town hosts every four years as a traditional carnival, with characters very similar to Galician Piliqueiros. In this museum you can see, besides, masks and garments which are used during this event. For its part, the Museum of Mining is a real Tarrenz outdoor shows how to extract the metal and worked in that area for centuries.
One of the most important celebrations of the town is the Schaferfest (feast of the sheep.) Every autumn the sheep back from the mountains to the village and this was celebrated with a big party involving the whole population.
Every autumn the sheep back from the mountains to the village and this was celebrated with a big party involving the whole population
Historic cities, breathtaking landscapes and ancient traditions. All this and much more can be found in the Austrian Tyrol, a region that certainly worth discovering.
In Tirol you can find beautiful snapshots like these
Practical Guide
From Spain, the best way to reach the Austrian Tyrol is via Munich. Many airlines connect the capital of Bavaria and Spain. Once there, 200 miles away with Innsbruck is usually made by car rental.