Stadtturm (City Tower)

The Stadtturm, or City Tower, rises 51 m at Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 21 in the Altstadt of Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria, next to the Golden Roof. It was built in the 14th century as a watchtower and belongs to the old town hall complex, and the tower acquired its Renaissance onion-shaped dome with a lantern in the 16th century, giving it a Gothic-Renaissance profile that dominates the skyline of the old town. Historically the tower served as a lookout for fires and enemies and also, at lower levels, as a prison. Visitors climb 148 steps, on narrow wooden and stone stairs, to a viewing gallery at around 31 m, from which the panorama takes in the copper roofs and pastel facades of the Altstadt, the Golden Roof directly below, the Hofburg and cathedral, and the Nordkette range rising steeply behind the town. On clear days the gallery gives the best elevated photograph of the old town and one of the clearest views of how the city is framed by mountains. A visit takes around 30 minutes, including the climb, time at the top and the descent. The stairs are steep and the passages narrow, so people pass each other carefully, and the gallery can feel crowded when a group is present. Late afternoon gives warm light on the roofs and the mountains and is generally calmer than midday, when tour groups cluster around the Golden Roof. Opening hours are usually 10:00 to 17:00 daily, extended in summer, and should be checked on innsbruck.info. Admission is under EUR 10, and entry is included in the Innsbruck Card. Because the tower stands in the middle of the pedestrian zone, it combines easily with the nearby Golden Roof, the cathedral and the Hofburg. Visitors should avoid the climb in strong wind or icy conditions, when the gallery may close.