Calling at Kufstein
Once I was on the train I wrote the previous blog entry and enjoyed the scenery. It was a nice ride once I found a seat. The train was pretty full.
Once we got to Innsbruck, out came Tom again. The walk to the hotel was easy and quick. Brian found another good option. It is right in the heart of the Innenstadt on Maria Teresien Strasse. Just a few meters away is the Golden Roof building and Helblinghaus.
After I checked in I relaxed in the room for a little to let the camera batter charge. Then I headed out and started to use the battery up again. I headed to the Imperial Palace (Hofburg).
The mountains are just so peaceful to watch.
It was orgianlly build by Maximilian I and then renovated by Maria Teresa into the Rococo style. It is under renovation so only three rooms are open to the public: the Guard room, the Giant Room, and the Lorraine Room. There was a guide stationed in the rooms and since I was the only person there we chatted some about the palace.
Maria Teresa’s husband was from Innsbruck. She liked in here in the summers because it was cooler than Vienna. Since she was pregnant 17 times, I think she might have wanted to be comfortable. In the Giant room, she hard picture of her, her husband and their 17 children hung. Above each child is a smaller painting of their spouse if they were married. The sad thing is that even though she carried the Habsburg bloodline, she could not be crowned Empress because she was a woman. She was crowned Queen of two countries of the Empire, Hungary and Bohemia.
Calling at Worgl Hbf.
I also walked though and exhibit on mountains. It was interesting. At this point it was 17:00. I had to leave the Hofburg. I wondered over to the park where Leopold’s Fountain is across from the Hofburg. It is the oldest surviving depiction of a rearing horse north of the Alps.
A couple of quick snaps and it was off to the Hofkirche. This is the church where Maximilian I tomb is located. Maximilian wanted to ensure he had a proper tomb so he designed it himself. He commissioned the best artists of the day to work on it. It is a very impressive monument. The sad thing is he is not in it. He is laid to rest in Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria.
The tomb itself dominates the center of the church.
Calling at Jenbach
On either side there are larger than life bronze statues representing hi “ancestors”. He did take some license in who he included, such as King Arthur. There are 28 bronze statues. The original plan called for 40. At the time of his death there were only 11 completed. Some of the notable people represented are:
Queen Maria of Burgundy – Wife and the mother of Margarthe
Archduchess Margarethe of Austria – his daughter who ruled The Netherlands after the death of her husband
Empress Maria Bianca Sforza – Second wife
King Rudolf I – Secured the Habsburg’s power
There are also 23 miniature statues of the patron saints of the Habsburg family.
Holy cow, I am in the middle of the Alps!
While I was at the church the battery for the camera gave out again. I guess I didn’t charge it quite enough. I finished up and headed out again. At this point most tourist attractions were closed. I went to couple of shops and picked up small souvenirs. They have to be small because I don’t have room for more than that. I also got the big buy of postcards. Luckily the hotel had stamps.
I headed to the room for a bit and worked on the blog and pictures. Armed with post cards and pin I set out for a beer and then dinner. I managed to finish the post card and start a new book, Angels and Demons. I want to read it before seeing the movie.
After dinner it was back to the room for a nice chat with Brian and the working on the blog and pictures. At this point I am up much later then I intended to be. Oh well tomorrow is Sunday. I am headed to Warsaw in the afternoon. But for a good part of the day I can continue to Explore Innsbruck.
