Located at the heart of Innsbruck’s historic centre, the Stadtturm stands proud at 51-meter height. Tourists and locals alike swear by the excellent view available from its observation deck though the deck is at a considerably shorter height (31 meters). For almost 450 years, the watchtower guards kept vigil over the town with pride and safeguarded the city from different kinds of troubles like invaders and fire.
Now the four clocks embedded in its façade and its striking Gargoyles bear testimony to the pride and prosperity of Innsbruck… a city whose citizens were just embracing elevated living standards and better levels of confidence.
History
Originally, the Innsbrucker Stadtturm was meant to be an exclusive town hall tower for the old Town Hall. Many important meetings, public reviews, council gatherings took place here before the decision was taken to convert the Stadtturm into the official ‘watchtower’ of Innsbruck.
The earliest edition of the building dates back to 1444 and in 1560 the master-builder of the town Caspar Schabl executed the project of rebuilding the roofs into a Renaissance onion structure that’s so photographed today. The earliest known documented watchtower guard was appointed by the City Council and his job was to primarily sit in the tower and keep watch over the town for the entire day.
The guard’s job was also to warn the townsfolk of any imminent danger like a fire or a raid apart from announcing the hour of the day. These guards were called Turmers and another part of their responsibility was to ensure that the city was kept quiet and peaceful and its citizen’s sleep was not disturbed.
The more famous embellishments to the tower came much later like the 4 wrought iron gargoyles shaped like dolphins and the first grand city tower clock (built by Erasmus Melchior). The clock, however, has been changed many times. The earliest edition of the clock was built in 1603.
In the middle ages, the first two floors of the city tower served as a city prison. Today when you walk past the Stadtturm, you can still see the barred windows on these floors… these used to house dangerous criminals and murderers once upon a town.
Apart from being a fine architectural example and an important part of the history of Innsbruck, the Stadtturm is also a cultural reminder. The establishment of the tower in the 14th-century points towards the rising prosperity of the city and its ancillary effect… the need of its citizens who now wanted to keep a guard for protection and defence.
What Is There To See & Do
The principal activity here is to climb the 133 steps to the 31-meter high viewing platform/ observation deck and enjoy the views. Many tourists claim that the view offered here supersedes the view from Stadtturm’s more famous neighbour The Golden Roof. From the Stadtturm, you can not only see the medieval streets of Innsbruck and the glittering Golden Roof but also the panorama of the Patscherkofel Mountain, Inn River, Bergisel Ski Jump and even the Nordkette.
By the way, there are separate flights of stairs for climbing up and down and both of these have landings to let people pass if you need a break so it’s pretty convenient. The staircases shaped like DNA double helixes are extremely photogenic and it’s highly recommended that you pause while climbing up or down and take some Instagram worthy pictures. The wooden walkway at the top is quite narrow and can only support very few people at one time. It’s quite thrilling to walk on it though and enjoy the 360-degree panorama.
If you have taken the Nordkette cable car ride then this view will give you a different perspective of Innsbruck. And if you haven’t taken the cable car ride then this is the best view you can get… it beats what’s on offer from the Bergisel Ski Jump and the Golden Roof.
As with any historical destination, the Stadtturm also deserves some contemplation. As the audio guide will inform you, the Stadtturm view provided a good vantage point to look at the many civic events which happened around here. Markets, fairs and executions held in public were just a few of these events.
Once you are on the viewing platform, don’t forget to look up… there is an octagonal spire with pretty semi-circular bay windows and a tiny parlour. Look down and there is a square-shaped façade below the viewing deck. There are no less than 4 clocks on the façade; one on each side of the tower.
En-route to the viewing platform, there are many interesting architectural elements that you can look at. On the first floor, you can see a full-sized statue of Archduke Sigmund des Munzreichen who was one of the counts of Tyrol and the predecessor of Maximilian. Incidentally, this statue was originally found in the Tomb of the Giants in St James Cemetery and then it stayed at the façade niche of a mansion on Hofgasse for some time before it was brought to this location.
Another item worth inspecting is also displayed on the same floor… the erstwhile clock of the City Tower that was manufactured by the famous Johann Mannchardt of Munich in 1878.
The city tower is also a great site for photography. History lovers would be delighted to know that this tower is half a century older than the Golden Roof. A special kind of limestone called Hottinger breccia was used for the construction of this tower and that gives the structure its distinct colour. Notice the finely made wrought iron Gargoyles on top of each of those clocks; they look ornamental but were designed to channel water away from the building.
Open Hours
The Stadtturm is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to May and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June to September. The best time to visit is 10 a.m. (as soon as the tower opens) otherwise it gets too crowded. And the view on offer is best enjoyed with sparse company.
Tours & Tickets
The view atop the observation deck is par excellence but it’s not free. There is a 3 euro fee per adult for entry and of course, you need to climb 148 steps to reach the observation deck.
For a family of 4, a combined ticket is available which costs around 8 euros. The absence of lifts makes it difficult for kids and seniors to come up and enjoy the view. For an added fee you can also rent an audio guide.
You also get free entry to the public toilet nearby if you show them your Stadtturm ticket.
Tourists who have brought the Innsbruck card get free access to the Stadtturm.
Any good Innsbruck city tour will include a stop at Stadtturm since it’s an important city landmark. For example, the Innsbruck Walking tour with a private guide offered by Viator explores the Stadtturm.
How To Reach
The Stadtturm is located at the north end of Maria Theresien Strasse where it joins Herzog Friedrich Strasse and it’s in the opposite side to the Golden Roof. If you have brought your own car then the best place to park it will be the Congress Garage or Altstadt… they are the nearest available parking lots. There are many buses that leave from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof and goes to Innsbruck Terminal Marktplatz which is the nearest bus stop from Stadtturm.
The best way to explore Stadtturm (and any other monument in the Old Town) is by walking as there are plenty of interesting sights around. If you start walking from the train station it will take you 20 minutes to reach Stadtturm. From important landmarks like Hofkirche and the Hofburg, the Stadtturm is just a ten-minute walk away.
Stadtturm Innsbruck
Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 21, 6020 Innsbruck
Once you are done exploring the Stadtturm you can visit the Golden Roof that’s only 40 meters away. The colourful world of Altstadt spreads all around and there are pretty Renaissance, Goth and Baroque style buildings wherever you look. Right opposite the Golden Roof is the gorgeous Helblinghaus that has a restored Baroque façade with an exuberant display of fruits, cherubs, leaves, fruits and cake-like décor. You can also visit the antique-looking Golden Eagle Inn and the Old Rathaus (city hall) when you are in this area.
If hunger pangs strike you when you are around here then walk straight into the Weinhaus Happ that’s on Herzog Friedrich Strasse… it serves great quality central European food. Just a few steps away, there is Altstadteisl that stands on the corner of Herzog Friedrich Strasse with Hofgasse… this one serves traditional Austrian food. For less hearty fare the Katzung that’s also on the same street serves excellent pastries and coffee.
Speckeria on Hofgasse can also be recommended if you want to try German food. There is a tiny smoker friendly pub on Sellergasse called NANO Bar that’s quite charming with its arched ceilings and dim lights; the perfect place to enjoy a smoke along with a bottle of beer.
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.