Golden Roof & Old Town
Goldenes Dachl / Altstadt
A late Gothic oriel balcony with 2,657 gilded copper tiles, the landmark of Innsbruck's old town.
The Golden Roof was built around 1500 as an oriel balcony by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I to celebrate his second marriage. From here, the emperor and his family watched jousts, performances and festivities in the square below. The balcony roof is covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, and the reliefs on its railing depict the emperor with his two wives, court jesters and Moorish dancers. A small Golden Roof Museum inside tells the story of Maximilian's era (admission costs a few euros, check the official website). The surrounding old town keeps its Gothic arcades and colourful Baroque facades. From the City Tower (Stadtturm), about 56 metres high, you can look over the old town and mountains. You can also see the rococo stucco decoration of the Helbling House, then continue to Maria-Theresien-Straße and look back toward the Nordkette. The Triumphal Arch at the southern end of the old town was built in 1765.
Opening hours
Exterior viewable all day; museum about 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Mondays in winter; check website)
Nearby sights
- City Tower
- Imperial Palace & Court Church
- Innsbruck Cathedral (Dom St. Jakob)
- Tyrolean Folk Art Museum
- Maria-Theresien-Straße & St. Anne's Column
- Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum
- Hofgarten
- Triumphal Arch