Innsbruck

Innsbruck, city in western Austria, capital of Tirol (Tyrol) Province, on the Inn River. Innsbruck is at the junction of two important routes of commerce and travel: the Arlberg Pass, connecting western and eastern Europe, and the Brenner Pass, linking Austria with Italy. An important center of commerce and tourism, the city is also a well-known skiing and mountain climbing center. It was the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games. In ancient times the Roman way station of Veldidena occupied the site of the suburb of Wilten. Innsbruck, first mentioned in the 12th century, became the capital of Tirol in 1420. During the 15th century the castle of Fürstenburg with its famous balcony covered by a gilded copper roof was also erected. Other historical points of interest include the Hofkirche, a Franciscan church dating from the 16th century and containing the monumental tomb of Maximilian I, Holy Roman emperor; Innsbruck University (1669); and the former imperial palace, which dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The name of the city comes from the combination of brücke (German for “bridge”) and the name of the local river. Population (2006 estimate) 116,851.