Golden Roof

In the heart of the historic centre, there is the world-famous Golden Roof, the symbol of Innsbruck. The emperor Maximilian I (1459 - 1519) had the late Gothic bay built on the occasion of his wedding around 1500 AD in order to defeat the rumours regarding the imperial financial difficulties. Moreover it served as lodge in different performances and tournaments. The building itself, however, had been built by archduke Friedrich IV in the early 15th century.

The bay of the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) is 16 metres wide, and the roof is 3.7 metres high and tiled with 2,657 fire-gilded copper shingles. Below the fringe of the roof you can see many animal figures. The parapet, however, is ornamented with reliefs by Kolderer and N. Turing the Old, portraying the emperor with his wives Mary of Burgundy and Bianca Maria Sforza together with Morris dancers. Did you know that the original relief tiles were replaced by copies in the 20th century? Nowadays six of the original tiles can be admired in the Golden Roof Museum.

The museum was reopened in 2019: It tells the life of the emperor and presents the special exhibition "Was bleibt?" (What remains?). Also children have been included with special kid's stations and a mystery rally. Particular attention, however, was given to a barrier-free access, combining the protection of this historical monument with modern construction standards in the best way. Thus, the bay is now accessible to everyone thanks to a special stair lift.