Excursion in Innsbruck

Duration: Group - 14 hours; Individual - 14 hours.

Innsbruck is the capital of Tirol and one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. The new constructed buildings in the downtown are in harmony with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque constructions. Modern Innsbruck stretches along the river Inn to the east and far from the historical regions to the west.

The city is an important commercial and transport center for a long time. It lies on a juncture of two important routes through the central Alps. The name of the city means "a bridge across the Inn". In 1180 a small settlement on the river moved from the northern bank into the place where the Old City is now.

In 1239 the city acquired its own rights and privileges and in 1429 Innsbruck became the official capital of Tirol. The city was known in all Europe during the reign of Maximilian I when he reached heights in the cultural and political significance. Innsbruck experienced one more imperial flourishing during Maria Theresia 40-year reign.

In 1964 and 1976 all universal attention was paid to Innsbruck when the Winter Olympic Games took place here. Today the city is the center of winter sports with modern infrastructure.

During our excursion we will see the Gold Roof which is the home sight of the city and its most characteristic symbol. It is a magnificent bay window (three floors) of a building in the Old City. Among other sights the Imperial palace Hofburg, church Hofkirche whose home treasure is Maximilian's I gravestone, St. Yakob church and Triumphal arch also deserve attention. In the small town of Wattens close to the Innsbruck a marvelous museum Crystal worlds Svarovski is situated. This is an underground fantasy with seven connected rooms. Having entered through a huge head with sparkling eyes, you will immediately see a huge 12 ton wall which has been laid out from artificial crystals. In other rooms you can drop into "the Planet of Crystals" with 3D light show. When you see the Crystal dome you will understand what it means to be in a huge crystal. There is a fantastic colorful world, secrets and graceful movement in the Crystal theatre. Among other expositions of the museum it is possible to see the biggest and smallest cut-glass crystals of the world and the works of art developed by lots of celebrities starting from Salvador Dalí to Andy Warhol.