2024 Friday Aug 30

Innsbruck

This is our last full day in Innsbruck so we were determined to do some of the things we remembered doing 50 years ago. Alas. Things have changed but still we can remember.

Richard’s Relive video is here:    https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvm1JnnQNv

The Hofkirche (Court Church) and tomb of Emperor Maximilian I.
Maximilian is kneeling atop the center tomb surrounded by reliefs with scenes of his life. Although this has been called the most important funerary monument of a Holy Roman Emperor, his remains were interred in the Vienna Neustadt in the Castle Chapel.
This portrait of Maximilian I was painted by Albrecht Durer in 1519.

Maximilian I (1459-1519) was the son of Freserick III and became Holy Roman Emperor in 1508 when he declared himself to be emperor. Up to that time, each Holy Roman Emperor was crowned by the Pope, but factions blocked the way for Maximilian to get to Rome. The Pope agreed to his ascension to Emperor, so an ancient tradition was broken.

Maximilian married three times (to extend the influence of the Hapsburg Empire): Mary, Duchess of Burgundy was his true love but died in an accident in 1482; Anne Duchess of Brittany (marriage annulled 1492), and Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan. The House with the Golden Roof in Innsbruck was commissioned by Maximilian to commemorate his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza.

There seems to be controversy over his reign. Some believed him to be the last knight and Renaissance prince with interests in language and culture. Others believe he selfishly exploited the German people to extend his dynasty. His power came from networks of allies and clients who helped him recover strength.

Maximilian was very pious and wanted to meet his maker as a pauper. When he was nearing death, he left instructions for the body: hair cut off, teeth knocked out, body whipped and covered with ash, wrapped in linen, and publicly displayed to show the perishables of all earthly glory.
Most of the funiculare/cablecar stations have been redone since we were there. Now there is a unique “cloud” architecture for stations.
It is possible to take a funiculare and two cable cars to get to the top of the mountain. In the interest of time (and money) we went only to the first station on the funiculare.
We watched the crowded cablecar making its way further up the mountain.
The City Hall tower in Innsbruck.
Without much more time, Richard decided to climb the City Hall tower. Here is the circular stairway.
Richard had a wonderful view of the city.
Heading back to the apartment for the last time. Reminders of the 1976 Olympics: the ski jump on the mountain.
The Tivoli Stadium only a couple of blocks from our apartment. This area seemed always busy. We heard sounds of a game and cheering on Friday night.

2 Responses

  2. I love the idea of retracing your footsteps from years ago. You’ve come so far. I think we need some sort of sound effect every time Richard sees/climbs a tower 🛎️