The Golden Roof is Innsbruck´s greatest tourist attraction, certainly its most characteristic landmark. Built by Archduke Friedrich IV in the early 15th century as the residence of the Tirolean sovereigns, the building was earlier known as "Neuhof", meaning New Court. The Golden Roof is the three-story balcony on this house at the heart of Innsbruck´s Old Town. The late Gothic oriels are capped with 2,600 gold-plated copper tiles. It was constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in luxury and enjoy tournaments in the square below. Completed at the dawn of the 16th century, the Golden Roof was built in honor of Maximilian´s second marriage, to Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan (Maximilian was a ruler who expanded his territory through marriage, not conquest). Not wishing to alienate the allies gained by his first marriage, to Maria of Burgundy, he had an image of himself between the two women painted on his balcony. The balustrade on the first floor is adorned with carved coats of arms, representing Austria, Hungary, the double-headed eagle of the Empire, Burgundy and Milan, as well as Tirol and Styria. The mural paintings show two standard-bearers with the flags of the Empire and the Province of Tirol. The original friezes are on display at the Ferdinandeum Museum.
Opening Hours
May - September
Mon-Sun: 10am - 6pm
Oct - Apr
Tue-Sun: 10am - 5pm
Closed on Mondays!
Contact
Goldenes Dachl Herzog-Friedrich-Straße A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
