Golden Roof

Golden Roof

Attraction Introduction

Innsbruck still retains its medieval charm: arcaded passageways, round-arched roofs, and buildings in the late Gothic and Renaissance styles. On Herzog-Friedrich-Straße in the city center stands a luxurious two-story building constructed in 1500, 16 meters wide, with a roof alone that is 3.7 meters high and adorned with 2,600 gilded copper tiles — this is the world-renowned Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl).

Formerly known as the “New Palace,” the famous “Pockmarked Duke” Friedrich (Friedel) moved his residence to Innsbruck in 1420 and ordered the construction of his palace here. Between 1494 and 1496, during the time of Maximilian I’s marriage, he commissioned Niklas to renovate the formerly dilapidated bay window into an ornamental balcony with Gothic arches, so he could watch tournaments and theatrical performances in the square.

The edges of the Golden Roof’s eaves are decorated with carved patterns featuring animal motifs, and its pillars are covered with reliefs, including statues of Emperor Maximilian I and the empress. The lower front is adorned with coats of arms representing Austria and Hungary: the double-headed eagle and the imperial eagle, as well as the crests of Burgundy and Milan. The sides feature the crests of Styria and Tyrol. The murals depict two guards carrying the imperial flag and the Tyrolean banner; the original artwork is now preserved in the Tyrol State Museum.

Contact Information 0043--512--581111

Admission Fee:

Adults: 3.6 euros, children half price

Attraction Honors: Opening Hours: 10:00–18:00 from May to October; 10:00–17:00 from November to April.

■ Innsbruck, Austria