Stadion Tivuli Neu (capacity 30,000) - home ground
of FC Wacker Tirol. The stadium capacity is being increased for
the tournament.
University city. City of culture. Regional capital and tourist
destination in the heart of the Alps. Former home of Emperor Maximilian
I. This varied list of titles should also include that of city of sport
– and rightly so!
City of sport
Innsbruck, two-times Olympic city (1964 and 1976), offers a range of both
summer and winter sports facilities that can barely be matched by any
other city of its size anywhere in Europe. Innsbruck is loved by international
athletes and sports federations alike as a venue for European and world
championships. In the last few years, around 70m euro have been invested
in new sports facilities. Two major events recently held here – the
Winteruniversiade and the 2005 World Ice Hockey Championships – were
particular highlights and placed Tyrol's regional capital in the global
sporting spotlight. These were just a sign of greater things to come!
Popular for visitors
The city has a population of 130,000, of which 20,000 are students. Around
five million visitors enjoy Innsbruck every year. Innsbruck lies exactly
575 metres over sea level in the Inn Valley at the confluence of the River
Sill.
Long history
The name Innsbruck (first known as Inspruk around 1167) comes from the
bridge over the River Inn. The bridge was built for the first time in
the middle of the 12th century, and has subsequently become a heraldic
symbol on Innsbruck's official seal and coat of arms. Discoveries and
digs have showed that a settlement in the Innsbruck area existed from
the Stone Age. The military fort of Veldidena (today the Wilten part of
the city) was constructed by the Romans in around 15 BC, where the road
from the Brenner region reaches the Inn Valley. The Romans had gathered
the central Alpine and Alpine foothill region into the province of Rhaetia.
City emblem
The emblem of the city is the Golden Roof – a covered alcove balcony
with 2,657 firegilded copper shingles. It was constructed under Emperor
Maximilian I around 1500 by the court architect Niclas Turig, and is unique
for its type in Europe.
Lot to offer
Innsbruck as a sporting city has a lot to offer – and not just during
the winter months, with its eight ski regions, 75 mountain railway and
270 kilometres of ski runs. In the summer, 27 holes are available for
golfers, and there is also mini-golf, tennis courts in outstanding settings,
riding, summer skiing on the glacier and Tirol's largest mountain-walking
programme.
Bergisel Arena
An important part of the city landscape is the Bergisel Arena, which was
constructed in 1926 as a wooden ski jump facility. It was converted into
a ski-jump stadium for the Winter Olymnpic Games in 1964, and the facility
was completely renovated ten years later. Since then, it is not only been
the third venue for the international Vierschanzen tournament – and
therefore an essential component of the ski-jump World Cup at the turn
of the year - but also an open-air event venue. The Bergisel Arena gives
a splendid view of the city. The opening of the new Tower, with its panoramic
cafe, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, followed in September 2002.
