Thursday, 30th June 2011
| Free Day There was heavy rain during the night and still light rain in the morning. As I haven't been to Innsbruck before I decided that this would be a good opportunity to do so. I travelled on the bus, along with Roger and Jeff who had had the same idea. - though for different reasons. Heading for the Old Town my fist stop was The City Tower where I met a group of Austrian children who were keen to practise their English with me. With mist still over the mountains the view from the tower was not all it could have been. Next, and just nearby, was the Golden Roof, or Goldenes Dachl, a spectacular landmark in Innsbruck. Covered with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles, the roof was constructed for the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I so that he could watch and enjoy the events and tournaments happening in the square below. From here it was another short walk to St James' Church which was very ornate - as all the churches in Austria seem to be. With the weather now a little improved I walked to the south of the city to visit the Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium and the Basilica of Wilten. In 1964 and 1976 the Bergisel Ski Jump was one of the venues for the Olympic Winter Games. The Basilica, a parish church as well as a place for pilgrimage, was built between 1751 and 1756 under the reign of Empress Maria Theresia. Walking back into the centre of the city I caught the tram for the return journey - along with a few more of the group. |
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
A rather wet day for viewing the Golden Roof . . .
which can also be seen from the City Tower
The ornate interior of St James' Church . . .
with impressive statues . . .
and intricate reredos . . .
and spectacular organ
One of the older buildings beside the Inn River
Our first sight of the Ski Jump
But first we pass the museum . . .
and Franz Joseph statue
Looks a pretty steep slope where jumpers land . . .
and even where they slow down
The poster on the stairs gives a skiers eye view. . .
and extra information is available
Looking up the initial run . . .
and what the jumpers see before they start
The Olympic rings . . .
and the flame holder
Another view of the Jump
With the airport close to the city centre the aeroplanes fly low over the houses
Wilten Basilica . . .
The chancel where the High Altar is set within four columns . . .
and the statue of the Mother of God with the Infant Jesus, surrounded by a halo of gold, dates back to the first half of the 14th century
The main entrance to the Basilica . . .
which was impossible to take in one photo