UnfoldTravel_en

07/01/2024

“Considering just how important the ‘Nordkettenbahn’ is to the peace of mind of the city, it is now hard to imagine that it didn’t exist at some point.” - Walter Klier

The “Nordkettenbahn” funicular railway is truly a part of the heart & soul of Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. Its story begins all the way back in 1906, back when Austria was still known as “Austria-Hungary”. That year, construction on a funicular railway in Innsbruck commenced, a railway that was supposed to take citizens to the “Hungerburg”, a very popular spot up in the mountains above Innsbruck. The railway was a technical marvel of its time, managing to take passengers up into the mountains in a mere 11 minutes. In 1907 alone, over 150.000 people used the “Hungerburgbahn” railway, at a time when Innsbruck’s population was still tiny and tourism was almost non-existent. Safe to say: It was a hit!

However, the “Hungerburgbahn” turned out to be only the beginning of a much bigger project called “Nordkettenbahn”, named after the “Northern Chain” mountain range above Innsbruck. Starting in 1928, two new stations were added to the railway: “Seegrube” (1.905m/6.250ft) and “Hafelekar” (2.269m/7.444ft), both of which allow for an amazing experience when it comes to skiing or simply relaxing with a great view! With the ever-growing interest in winter sports AND number of tourists over the following decades, both of these stops were DESTINED to welcome a massive amount of visitors. The “Nordkettenbahn” and its stations are just as enjoyable in summer as they are in winter, by the way!

The “Hafelekar” especially should be on your bucket-list! For good reason, it is known as the “Top of Innsbruck”, and its peak can be reached with a short hike from the dedicated railway station in only a few minutes. Now THAT is convenient!




📸 "Asurnipal" on Wikimedia Commons

31/12/2023

Biblical scenes, presented in 3D: Tyrol has been doing it for centuries!

When trying to really get into the holiday spirit, the nativity scene, or “Krippe”, as we like to call it, is almost as essential to the Tyrolean household as the Christmas tree or a large supply of mulled wine! The tradition of carving out highly detailed biblical sceneries and figures out of wood is immensely popular all across Austria, but actually, it all started right here in Tyrol!

In 1608, the Jesuit church in Innsbruck (capital of Tyrol) became the home of the first version of the “Krippe” as we know and love it today. Depicting scenes from the bible was a way of presenting a story that required no words, while also being much more exciting to look at than a painting. The “Krippe” soon found its way into other churches across Tyrol, as well as into the homes of the Tyrolean population. That was until 1782, when Emperor Joseph II, who allegedly considered the nativity scenes to be “too childish”, had them banned from churches. That didn’t stop households from not only keeping this tradition alive, but also from developing it further and further.

Early Tyrolean nativity scenes looked quite a bit different than their modern counterparts, though: They had more of an oriental-inspired look with lots of design elements usually found in the middle east. The look that we are now familiar with, which presents the scenes like Tyrolean-style farm-houses, actually didn’t become popular until around 1900. It definitely makes sense, though: Both craftsmanship AND religion are highly appreciated in the more rural parts of Tyrol, even today!

However, you really don’t have to be religious to enjoy a beautiful “Krippe”. Tyroleans from many different types of backgrounds partake not only in viewings of these beautiful works of art, but also in design schools and workshops that make sure that this amazing craft will never be forgotten!

17/12/2023

Did the ancient Egyptians visit Tyrol or something? Well… no… and yet, a pyramid can be found in the Karwendel mountains above the municipality of Thaur! The so-called “Kaisersäule” (or “Emperor’s Column”) has been here for more than 200 years… but why?

In 1815, Tyrol had just fended off Napoleon’s army a few years earlier and had been returned from Bavaria to Austria. The Emperor at the time, Franz I, saw this as a perfect opportunity for a little visit, which first took him to the famous salt mine in Hall and finally to the place pictured above. Why here, of all places? From this lookout at 1700m (5577ft) above sea level, all of the most important battlefields of the Tyrolean rebellion against Napoleon can be observed. The perfect spot to take a curious Emperor OR history-buff!

The citizens of Tyrol were quite proud of the Emperor’s visit, and so, they just HAD to build something to commemorate the occasion. A wooden pyramid was erected and later replaced by a much more durable stone pyramid in 1839. All that was missing now was the plaque on its side, which is supposed to remind future generations of Emperor Franz’s visit to this beautiful viewpoint. It was added to the side of the pyramid that faces Innsbruck, the state capital, in 1907, completing the “Kaisersäule” which still stands here to this day!

Speaking of “Kaisersäule”, this name actually took a while to catch on! Originally, it was called “Franzens-Pyramide”, named after Franz specifically. Whatever you want to call it, one thing is for sure: This is a place worth visiting, even if the battlefields of the Tyrolean Rebellion are of no interest to you. A hike through the Karwendel mountain range could never be a bad idea, and with such a unique looking structure as your destination, there is really no excuse NOT to make your way up here!

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10/12/2023

The eagle represents many things in different cultures: Honesty, truth, strength, courage, wisdom, power, freedom. Some even claim that these majestic birds have a special connection to god… That’s quite a lot of respect that these feathered fellows enjoy! That might be the reason why eagles are one of the most popular heraldic animals, second only to the king of all animals: The lion.

Much like the country that it belongs to, the state of Tyrol in Austria proudly bears the eagle on its beautiful crest, and has done so since at least 1200! Just like the state’s name, the crest was brought to the mountainous area of western Austria by the Counts of Tyrol, a noble family that ruled over the area at the time. At first, a simple silver shield with a plain red eagle was used to represent Tyrol, but as the centuries passed and times changed, so did the fashion sense of the Tyroleans’ favorite eagle!

Starting from the early 16th century, the Tyrolean eagle started wearing a wreath, similar to what you saw on those fancy Romans. You could always trust those Italians when it comes to fashion! Later on, he got a gold crown as well, which he thoroughly deserved in our opinion. After all, he worked hard as the mascot of Tyrol for multiple centuries!

Interestingly, an official look for Tyrol’s crest wasn’t decided upon until 1921. Until then, the crown and the wreath were sometimes present, sometimes they were not. Since the standardization more than a hundred years ago, though, the eagle has been shown with both of his favorite fashion items on display, and has become a much-used symbol throughout the whole state. If you find one of the many Tyrolean crests spread throughout our beautiful state, take a close look and see if it’s depicted accurately. If not, we advise you to report it to our local authorities… or, just leave it be!

03/12/2023

Countdowns are exciting, especially when they are as decorative and festive-looking as the classic ‘Adventskranz’ (‘advent wreath’)! 🕯️ The pretty circle of pine needles, which counts down the weeks until Christmas, gets its name from ‘Advent’, a tradition which might actually not be familiar to everyone who celebrates the most wonderful time of the year! 🤔

The name ‘Advent’ comes from the latin word ‘Adventus’, which means ‘arrival’. Of course, we are talking about the arrival of none other than Jesus Christ here! ✝️ Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, and takes place every subsequent Sunday for the next four weeks. Advent Sundays can be celebrated in all kinds of ways: For some, lighting one candle each week on the wreath might be festive enough. Others might sing a few christmassy songs while lighting the candles or read a few stories related to the holidays. 📖 As far as these traditions go, you can pretty much decide for yourself, depending on how important Advent is to you. Having that cool wreath at home should be tempting for anyone, though! 🤩

While celebrating during the advent weeks is now not only allowed, but also encouraged, that wasn’t always the case. 😱 Before the 7th century came around, Advent was actually a fasting period which lasted from November 11th until January 6th! Can you imagine spending the holidays WITHOUT stuffing your face with cookies? 🍪 Not only that, but celebrations and dancing were also prohibited during Advent, turning the final two months of the year into the exact opposite of what it is today. Pretty fascinating (and depressing), if you think about it… 🥲

Then, during the 7th century, Advent was shortened to only four weeks, a change that survived even to this day. The number 4 was not chosen randomly, since it represents the 4000 years that humanity had to wait for its redeemer, after Adam & Eve decided to eat that famous apple. 🍎 At least their sin influenced a beautiful Christmas tradition in a positive way! 🙏🏻

Do you celebrate Advent? If so, how do you choose to celebrate it? Give us your ideas in the comments! ⬇️💬

26/11/2023

With EXACTLY four different Christmas markets in the cozy little alpine city of Innsbruck, making a Top 4 list is not the hardest task in the world. But one thing is for sure: ALL of them are deserving of the word “top”!

Old Town Innsbruck

This is the one that you probably know from pictures or postcards. But the Christmas market in Innsbruck’s Old Town doesn’t just LOOK good, it’s also genuinely a place where you can spend hours upon hours without getting bored! In front of the Golden Roof, the symbol of Innsbruck, you’ll find market stalls selling handcrafted items, Christmas tree ornaments, souvenirs and of course DELICIOUS food and drink. Don’t leave here without at least trying a “Glühwein” (mulled wine), Austria’s most favorite winter beverage!

Maria-Theresien-Street

The market action continues along the street that leads into the aforementioned Old Town! Just like the market in front of the Golden Roof, souvenirs and culinary delights can be found aplenty along Innsbruck’s busiest street. What sets this market apart are its famous, illuminated trees and its convenient location in front of the “Kaufhaus Tyrol” shopping mall. The perfect chance to get wasted on some Glühwein after you FINALLY finished your Christmas shopping!

Marktplatz

Innsbruck’s market place fittingly becomes the home of a Christmas market from November to January. It cannot be missed: Just look for a 14 meter tall, fancy looking Christmas tree covered in Swarovski crystals and you are exactly where you should be! This market, presented in a traditional Tyrolean style, is popular especially among younger visitors, thanks to its diverse entertainment program. Don’t worry, there’s a lot to be discovered for adults, as well!

Hungerburg

In just 8 minutes, the Hungerburg funicular railway will bring you from Innsbruck’s city center to a Christmas market in the mountains! What no other Christmas market on this list can offer is a view over the whole city, and its famous surrounding mountain ranges, all while warming yourself on some snacks and a hot beverages… dare we say… “Glühwein”?

Which one of these four markets is YOUR choice? Let us know in the comments!

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19/11/2023

Innsbruck is home to endless amounts of history… but what is the ADDRESS of said history? This weird question actually has an answer: Badgasse 2, where the City Archives & the City Museum are located!

Fittingly placed in one of the Old Town’s ancient alleys, the archives of the city of Innsbruck is a treasure trove of information, information which is as old as it is interesting! The oldest official document that you will find here, Innsbruck’s original town charter, is almost 800 years old! If you are interested in something more visually interesting, you will LOVE the archive’s incredible collection of over 100.000 historic photos. In addition, the City Archive’s library contains countless paintings, books, magazines and newspapers, some of which date back all the way to the 18th century. Guess you’ll have to visit more than just once if you want to see it all!

Inside the City Museum, conveniently located in the same building as the archive, you will be able to learn more about Innsbruck’s history from its very beginning up until modern times. The museum and its exhibitions are an excellent way of exploring the archive’s most important items, chosen by experts and presented in an easily digestible manner. The City Museum, which has received multiple prizes for its excellent work, is also affordable at a standard price of only 4€ per person. It is also completely , allowing each and everyone of you to take a deep dive into the history of Innsbruck!

Are there any researchers or history buffs that have been here before? Share your experiences in the comments!

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12/11/2023

4 incredible locations, 1 incredible sports event: The Four Hills Tournament has become one of the most prestigious events in the world of ski-jumping, and Innsbruck is one of its hosts!

The origins of this winter sports extravaganza date back to the post-World War II era, when German ski-jumpers were banned from competing in events organized by FIS, the international ski federation. They were, however, invited by the ski jumpers of Innsbruck to come and compete, which resulted in a close friendship between the German and Austrian ski clubs of the time. By 1949, the Germans were once again allowed to compete in FIS events.

May 17th, 1952 turned out to be a fateful day: At the annual night ski-jumping event at the “Seegrube” above Innsbruck, the plan for a tournament spanning across multiple locations in both Germany and Austria was born. At first, only three locations were supposed to host the tournament: Innsbruck, Bischofshofen (both in Austria) and Partenkirchen in Germany. Oberstdorf was chosen as a fourth host, just to make sure that both Austria and Germany have two host locations each.

The first Four Hills Tournament, which took place in 1953, was a massive success, and by 1960, the event managed to make it onto the biggest TV stations in Germany. Since then, the Four Hills Tournament did not only gain more and more popularity worldwide, it was also responsible for the implementation of many technological innovations in the sport. Overall, the sport of ski-jumping just wouldn’t be the same without the “Vierschanzentournee”, as we call it in German!

The 72nd edition of the Four Hills Tournament takes place this (and next) year from December 29th to January 6th. Innsbruck will welcome the world’s greatest ski jumpers on January 3rd at the “Bergiselschanze”, a must-visit even when there is no ski jumping to be found!

Did you secure your tickets already? Let us know in the comments which event you’re attending this year!

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05/11/2023

Is there anything more disappointing than a winter with no snow? Here are the Top 4 snowiest places in all of Tyrol, where a White Christmas is guaranteed!

Obertilliach

This place prides itself on not being overcrowded with tourists, certainly not for a lack of amazing scenery, though! Obertilliach in Eastern Tyrol is about as traditional of a Tyrolean village as you will find anywhere in the state, where a mix of old farm houses and comfy hotels make sure that a perfect holiday is guaranteed for the few tourists that DO make their way there. On average, 146 days of snow per year with a depth of around 93cm (37in) of snow can be expected here!

Hinterhornbach

If cross-country skiing or hiking in the snow are your thing, Hinterhornbach might be an insider tip for you! Even streets are a rarity in this mostly untouched landscape along the 17km (11 miles) long Hornbach river. A mere 90 people that live in this charming little place get to share 141 days of snow per year with an average depth of 106cm (41in). Surely, there’s some to spare for visitors like you!

Leutasch

Famously comfortable despite its large amounts of snow and cold weather, Leutasch is everything that a perfect winter holiday destination should be! While being part of the world-famous Seefeld region, which welcomes more than a million visitors each year, it is far enough away from the busiest parts of the region to be a quiet and calm place to spend your free time. 151 days of snow per year with an average depth of 107cm (42in) can be found here… just barely beating Hinterhornbach to the Number 2 spot!

Hochfilzen

Here we are: The snowiest place in all of Tyrol! Hochfilzen in Kitzbühel is a jack of all trades when it comes to winter sports, and a master of them all! Ice-skating, sledding, skiing, hiking, you name it, this area offers it all amidst stunning landscapes and LOTS of snow! 143 days per year and an average depth of 134cm (53in) make sure to blow its competition out of the water… or snow, in this case!

Which one of these four places (or maybe a snowy place not on this list?) are you going to visit this winter for that feeling? Let us know in the comments!

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29/10/2023

Its population of merely 400 people and a size of 10ha makes ‘Rattenberg’ in Tyrol the smallest city in Austria. 🤏 These 400 inhabitants, however, are truly special and certainly know how to make the most of their mini-city! 🏘️

Just how much they make use of it, is proven by the many tourists that make their way here on a regular basis. One of the reasons for the city’s popularity is that it keeps its medieval charm, even in modern times. 🏰 Looking across the river and seeing the castle-like towers and buildings almost gives you the feeling of being inside an old postcard! 🤩

Looking old is not the only interesting thing about ‘Rattenberg’. The city is known for its glass industry more than anything. That’s also the reason for its nickname: ‘Glass City’! One example would be ‘Kisslinger Glassworks’, a company that has more than 200 years of experience under its belt. 🤯 If you like watching masters of their craft at work, you are at the right place here. ⚒️ Guided tours will give you exactly that, combining the excitement of handcraft with a healthy dose of history and education. 🤓

Another big highlight here is the annual ‘Rattenberger Advent’, leading up to Christmas. 🎄 During this special Advent celebration, artificial light takes a backseat, while natural light sources such as candles and fireplaces are used as much as possible. 🕯️ If you thought the city looks medieval enough as is, wait until you see this spectacle! Of course, holidays wouldn’t be holidays without booze, which is exactly why there is a special ‘Advent Wine’, meant to be consumed during this celebration. 🍷 Cheers!

Have you been to a city even smaller than this before? Tell us your stories in the comments! ⬇️💬

📸 tirol.at / tyrol.com

22/10/2023

Tough times require a tough leader. In the 14th century, the Austrian state of Tyrol was lucky enough to have someone who fit that description perfectly: Margarete of Tyrol!

At the age of 17, Margarete took over her father’s office, who had just passed away. Her father, Heinrich, was the Count of Tyrol as well as the Duke of Carinthia… quite some pressure that Margarete had to deal with, all while Tyrol was going through one of it’s toughest phases in history:

To understand exactly how tough times were for Tyroleans back in the day, picture this: They became victims of a grasshopper plague from 1338 to 1341, a damaging earthquake in 1344 and floods not long after that. To top things off, the resilience of the Tyrolean people was tested by the plague, only four years later. Yikes!

But wait, there’s more: Tyrol was under attack pretty frequently around this time as well, as if all these natural disasters weren’t enough! At least, Margarete was there to bravely defend her land against the invaders, even in her husband’s absence. This earned her a deep respect, not only from the troubled people from that time period, but also from future generations to come!

However, not everyone took kindly to a woman being such a good leader and defeating men in war: Stories were spread that depicted Margarete “Maultasch” (as she was alternatively called) as a violent, ugly woman who only had in*******se with as many men as possible in mind. Making up stories like these was a pretty common tactic used in the middle ages and was meant to downplay the strength of women who had, in the eyes of many, grown too powerful and influential. Even 150 years after her death, jokes about her appearance were apparently still a thing: It is rumored that the influential satirical portrait “The Ugly Duchess” by Quentin Matsys was based on the appearance of Margarete.

The later years of her life actually make for quite a sad story: Her husband passed away on a trip to Munich in 1361, her only remaining son Meinhard III. died only two years later. Margarete died lonely in 1369, at the age of 51, but her legacy among the Tyrolean people is still alive to this day!

15/10/2023

This mill was constructed by Satan… according to a legend, at least!

Once upon a time, a farmer from Aldrans, Tyrol was in desperate need of a mill, but there was one big problem: He simply didn’t have the funds to do so. The solution? Ask the devil himself for help! To be honest, a deal with the devil might actually be a more attractive option than taking out a bank loan…

The conditions of the deal were as follows: The devil, in exchange for building a working mill, would receive the farmer’s soul… classic! However, the soul would only be transferred to the devil if he managed to build the mill until the next morning, before the first cockcrow could be heard in the area.

The devil, thinking it would be the easiest thing in the world, accepted the deal and got straight to work. By 3am, the mill was almost finished and the devil could already feel the farmer’s soul within his reach, but there was one thing missing from the mill: The millstone! You know, the thing that makes a mill work in the first place!

So, in the dark of night, the devil made his way into the Inn valley down below in order to get a millstone. Who sells millstones at 3am? That question will have to remain unanswered, unfortunately, but somehow the devil managed to find one anyway! He spent the next few hours trying to get the incredibly heavy stone up the mountain, but just before he reached the mill, he heard: “Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

The devil, realizing that the soul of the farmer would never be his, took the millstone and threw it back into the Inn valley where it came from, smashing it into pieces. The farmer, amused by the fact that he just received a free mill minus the millstone, called the mill “Teufelsmühle” or “Devil’s Mill” from that point on.

The mill actually still exists, with the fresco in the picture above paying homage to the legend of a broke farmer from Tyrol who managed to trick the devil into working for free!

08/10/2023

The state of Tyrol puts great importance on its long and complicated history… and this place is where it all started: Castle Tyrol!

It was prior to the year 1100 when this idyllic little place near Merano, South Tyrol saw the construction of a castle complex for the first time. Safe to assume that they didn’t know how important it would become later down the line!

The first step towards holding such importance came when the Counts of Tyrol, a Bavarian noble family, claimed the castle complex for itself in the hopes of creating their own territory around it. As their territory expanded, so did the castle: The first renovations and expansions around 1139 saw the construction of some very important parts of the castle, including the main tower.

Over the next three centuries, the castle was the home of some of Tyrol’s most important historical figures. Among them Meinhard II, who established Tyrol as a county, as well as Margarete of Tyrol, who led Tyrol through one of its most difficult times during the 14th century.

The castle’s peak in terms of political importance came to an end in the 15th century, when the seat of power was moved to Innsbruck, which remains as the capital of Tyrol to this day! Castle Tyrol, however, continued to house important nobles up until the 19th century, when a period of serious neglect transformed the once magnificent castle into a dilapidated old building.

This period could have been the end of the incredibly important Castle Tyrol… if it wasn’t for restoration efforts made in the late 19th century! Architect Friedrich von Schmidt was tasked with restoring the decayed parts of the castle in a neo-gothic style, once again giving Castle Tyrol the splendor that it deserves!

The castle’s importance was acknowledged even further in 2003, when its interior became the home of the South-Tyrolean Museum of Culture and History, a detailed showcase of the history of Tyrol! What better place could there be for such a museum than the place where it all actually started?

Have you ever been to Castle Tyrol? Let us know in the comments!

01/10/2023

The perfect medium-difficulty hike doesn’t exist? Yes it does, and it carries the incredible name “Wolfsklamm” (“Wolf’s Ravine”)! The Wolfsklamm calls the beautiful municipality of Stans in Tyrol, Austria its home, which itself is located between many other popular sights like Tratzberg Castle and the famous Schwaz silver mine.

The Wolfsklamm hiking trail will bring you as close to its mighty waterfalls as possible while still being completely safe for both young and old. You’ll be walking across an idyllic set of wooden steps (354 in total), which wriggle their way through and up the spectacularly steep mountain walls surrounding you. An incredible collection of plants and the sound of the roaring, powerful water will make sure that all your senses tell you that you are on an adventure here, without annoying stuff like fear and danger!

The hiking trail is 6km (3.7 miles) long and takes around 3 hours to complete. An afternoon well spent, basically! Tyrol’s oldest place of pilgrimage, located in St. Georgenberg, is also located nearby and can be reached with a little hiking detour which should take around 1 ½ hours to complete. There, you will find a charming little inn located underneath a set of chestnut trees (see picture number 2), where you will get to enjoy a well-deserved meal that will make the hike back a breeze. Not to mention that the views here are as unique as they get!

Not much more has to be said about the Wolfsklamm in Stans, except that you should bring a good set of shoes and a good mood when attempting this hike. You can enter the Wolfsklamm from May 1st until October 31st. However, if the weather is nice, it might actually be possible to enter until mid-November. Enjoy the hike!

Did you ever go on a pilgrimage before? Let us know in the comments!

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