Page 249 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

INNSBRUCK  247

VisiTOrs’ CheCklisT R Wilten In 2011, the Riesenrundge mälde,
In the southeastern suburb of a panoramic painting of the
Practical Information Wilten stands a lovely Baroque Battle of Bergisel, was moved
Universitätsstrasse 2. church, the Wilten Basilica, built from its previous home at the
Tel (0512) 584302. in 1751–6 on the foundations of bottom of the Hungerburg
∑ hofkirche.at a former chapel. The church cable car, to Das Tirol
Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, was intended to provide a Panorama, a museum on
12:30–5pm Sun & hols. & worthy setting for the picture of top of Bergisel. Painted by
Our Lady at Four Columns, which Zeno Diemar in 1896, and
miracles were attributed to. measuring 10 x 100 m
It was designed by Franz de (33 x 328 ft), the
Paula Penz and the interior panorama is a trompe
has been kept in the l’oeil depicting an
Rococo style. The abbreviated version
altarpiece, with its gold, of the entire battle.
pink and yellow colour The museum
scheme, includes a also hosts temporary
14th-century painting exhibitions alongside
of the Madonna. It is its permanent collection
surrounded by an of Tyrolean artifacts.
intricate canopy resting On Bergiselschanze,
on slender columns. one of the competitions
The ceiling paintings Statue of Andreas Hofer in the world-famous
are by an Augsburg on Bergisel Vierschanzen tournee
artist, Matthäus (four hills’ ski-jumping
Günther, and show in the tournament) is held every year
presbytery Saint Mary Our on 4 January.
Advocate and in the nave
Ester and Judith. O Alpenzoo
The Romanesque abbey of Weiherburggasse 37A. Tel (0512)
Wilten has a church built in 292323. Open Apr–Oct: 9am–6pm;
the 12th century, devoted to Nov–Mar: 9am–5pm. &
St Lawrence. According to On the southern slopes of
legend, the abbey was built by Bergisel is a fascinating Alpine
the giant Haymon, in atonement zoo, housing a comprehensive
for the murder of another giant, collection of alpine fauna. There
Thyrsus; both are commemo- are some 2,000 animals here,
rated by statues. Burned and representing more than 150
destroyed several times, the species typically found in an
abbey was rebuilt in Baroque alpine habitat, including the
style in the 17th–18th centuries. alpine ibex and bear, and many
local birds, fish and reptiles.
Bergisel A cable car from Hungerburg
Tirol Panorama mit Kaiserjäger- Talstation takes you to the zoo;
museum: Bergisel 1–2. Tel (0512) the ride is free with an entry
5948 9611. Open 9am–5pm Wed– ticket to the zoo.
Mon (until 7pm Thu Jul & Aug). & 7
On 13 August 1809, Bergisel,
or Isel Mountain, in the south
of the city, was the scene of a
battle fought by Andreas Hofer
(see p245) and his army of insur-
gent highlanders, who defeated
the combined occupying
forces of Bavarians and French.
The hill is a popular place for
week end walks among
Innsbruck residents.
Charles the Bold A monument to Andreas
The statue of Charles the Hofer and the Kaiserjäger-
Bold, Duke of Burgundy and museum serve as reminders
Maximilian’s father-in-law, of the 1809 battle as well as of
stands to the right of the tomb, later battles by this famous An otter in Alpenzoo, on Bergisel south
closest to the high altar. regiment of imperial fusiliers. of Innsbruck

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