Monday, July 5, 2010

Monday, June 7, 2010

Innsbruck 1

Innsbruck is the capital city of Tyrol in western Austria.
It hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, the 1984
and 1988 Winter Paralympics and is to host the 1st Winter
Youth Olympics in 2012. Innsbruck translated literally
means "the bridge over the inn".

City center contains variety of eclectic facades and bold
colours. Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and other types
densely populate the streets, with a large pedestrian
walking area in the middle.
Triumphal Arch: one side expresses happiness and the joy
of marriage while the other side grieves over the death of
Emperor Franz Stephan during the wedding celebrations.
Detail of top of Arch. I have to admit, I was only in Innsbruck for 12 hours
which sounds ridiculous, but it's really quite astounding
how much can be accomplished in half a day.
Hofgarten. Beautifully kept. Right next to Kaiserliche
Hofburg. People play chess on huge chessboard installations.
Wooden play structure for kids. Very organically shaped
pathways that recall Olmstead.
Large fountains in park. The Hofgarten is open until
10:00pm, so great for scrolling around after dinner or a
show.
Imperial Palace School in inner city.
Example of Baroque Architecture.
Great thing about Europe is randomly walking somewhere
while on the lookout for a particular building and coming
across something beautiful.
On left: Ottoburg, erected in 15th century in place of
a small castle for the counts of Andechs. Ordered by
Maximilian I.

I love buildings with personalities. Years of memories
are impregnated in the walls...Disney should make a
movie about talking buildings (I guess there's Monster
House).
There was sick wooden installation art in this park. My
photographs of the pieces turned out horribly, but you
can sit, sleep, drink on them which is a straightforward,
efficient way of making art accessible.
Across the river away from the city center. Streets were
deserted when I was there.




Interior of Imperial Palace.

"Goldener Adler": Iconic golden roof building


Swarovski store with exhibit downstairs.


Indoor shopping center.





In general, I find cemeteries fascinating,
but the one in Innsbruck was exceptional.
Buildings whose structure and lines are
clearly defined really draw attention.

Innsbruck photographs so well. The scenery is obviously spectacular because you see mountains wherever you are. Someone told me that the further West you go in Austria, the friendlier people get, and Innsbruck actually reinforces that belief. Surprising amount of designer shops here. Very pleasant day overall.