Transpotation in Tyrol

Taxing time for transport policy

While the debate rages about the benefits of joining the EU, Switzerland’s self-imposed exclusion seems to have had a positive effect on the environment. In this fourth report in a special series comparing Switzerland and Austria, swissinfo finds that the road to Brussels can be a dirty one.

Approaching the Austrian city of Innsbruck from the Brenner Pass, a thick layer of smog hovers over the city, trapped by the high mountain walls on its north and south flanks.

The poor air quality is the downside to the stunning alpine setting of the Tyrolean capital, which was twice host to the winter Olympics.

“One particle of harmful exhaust emissions is up to nine times as damaging as it is in the plains because there is little exchange of air in the narrow alpine valleys,� laments Georg Willi of Tyrol’s Green Party.

The main cause of the high emissions are the thousands of trucks which thunder each day over the Brenner Pass directly south of Innsbruck (see video and audio).

Die Tiroler Zugspitzbahn

On the ascent itself there is an impressive view over the valley basin of Ehrwald - Lermoos - Biberwier, to the Eibsee and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Once you have arrived at the top, the extensive viewing terrace affords a panoramic view in good visibility from Piz Bernina in the Swiss Alps to the Großglockner in the Eastern Alps. Hiking paths, various refreshment possibilities and a museum round off this mountain experience very nicely.

The Castle of Linderhof

The Castle of Linderhof, built by the famous Bavarian king Ludwig II, is considered to be the most accomplished of his castles. The terrace design of the garden laid out in the baroque style is one of the most important garden designs of the 19th century and also includes various extra buildings such as a wooden music pavilion, the Gurnemanz Hermitage - a wooden hut copied from Wagner’s opera Parsifal and the Venus-Grotto, an imitation stalactite cave.

Lugmair Bell Foundry

The Lugmair Bell Foundry located in St. Johann/Tyrol is the oldest example of this kind of work in North Tyrol. All sizes of cowbells are still produced by hand in this workshop. But not only cowbells are made here. All types of works of art made out of the raw materials of copper and tin are produced here as are designer works produced to order.

Salzburg

The world-famous baroque city of Salzburg is situated only 55km away from the Pillersee. Of course lots of activity here revolves around the city’s most famous son - Mozart. But the city is packed full with all sorts of other tourist attractions. The old town is certainly worth a visit, as is the Hohensalzburg fortification or the toy museum for instance. And do not forget the numerous world-class cultural events

Innsbruck

The capital of Tyrol has lots to offer be it a stroll around the old town, a shopping or a sightseeing tour to the numerous visitor attractions (e.g. the Golden Roof, Berg Isel, the Alpine Zoo or the Botanical Garden, and much more.) Innsbruck is always well worth a visit!

Watten Crystal World

The most visited tourist attraction in Tyrol, situated 15 km east of Innsbruck, transports and captivates the visitors into a cosmos of sparkling ideas, contemporary art and the famous Swarovski crystal objects. This unique experience-exhibition consists of an underground interweaving of imaginative chambers of wonder all about crystal.

Zillertal Alpine Dairy Experience

How do holes get into cheese? How does milk get into cartons? How is butter created? Anyone looking for the answers will find them live, close-up and in a multimedia format in the Zillertal Alpine Dairy Experience presented across 6000 m² and 11 display stations. You can purchase cheese specialities to take away from the sales stall in the courtyard. Culinary treats from the Zillertal alpine dairy kitchen. Group rates on request! There is plenty of bus parking available!

Hintertuxer Glacier

The approach alone up to a height of 3,250 metres leaves you with an unforgettable impression. So close to the sky, you can enjoy fascinating views on the panoramic terrace. The Großglockner, the Dolomites and the Zugspitze are so close you feel you could touch them. Attractive paths and demanding mountain tours in the Hintertuxer Walking World, majestic peaks and fabulous fresh air will guarantee your very personal summit victory.

Attraction of Tyrol

Less than a half hour bus ride from Innsbruck, Wattens is a small town surrounded by picturesque hills and it is the home of Swarovski Crystal. In 1895 Daniel Swarovski started his business with the invention of special precision cutting technology which produced high quality crystals used in jewellery, fashion and decorations.

As well as the factory where crystal is produced and shipped all over the world, Swarovski has turned their site into a major tourist attraction with the Kristallwelten or Crystal World Museum. Museum might not be the right word, instead Kristallwelten is more a combination museum/art gallery/exhibition hall and even that doesn’t quite paint a true picture. Most of the exhibits and displays are very contemporary, even futuristic and at times I was a bit lost trying to understand the message or significance of some of the displays.

History of Tyrol

The History of South Tyrol begins in modern times with the creation of the Italian Province of South Tyrol in 1919. However, it is known that people have lived here since the stone age (see Ötzi), and the region was part of the Roman Empire from 59 BCE until the Völkerwanderung. From the 6th to the 9th century, the region was settled by the Bavarii together with the Langobards and the romanised natives. As part of France and later the Holy Roman Empire the region had a strategical importance as a bridgehead to Italy. Large parts of the province was donated to the Bishops of Trento and Brixen-Bressanone. After their caretakers, the earls of Tyrol (See Meinhard II of Gorizia-Tyrol) had gathered the province under their command, the region together with the vallies to the north was known as Tyrol.

In 1342, the earldom went over to the Bavarian dukes again when Emperor Louis IV voided the first marriage of Countess Margarete Maultasch. But already in 1363 the Wittelsbach released the country for Habsburg.

Habsburg ruled the region almost continuously until 1918. Only in 1805 Austria was defeated by Napoleon and lost Tyrol to Bavaria in the Peace of Pressburg (Bavaria allied itself with Napoleon in the war). Tyrolians, lead by Andreas Hofer, rose in rebellion against Bavarian rule. In 1814 Tyrol is transferred from Bavaria to Austria at the Congress of Vienna.

Fast Facts of Tyrol

Land Area: 12,648 sq.km
Capital City: Innsbruck
Population: 673,504
Governor: Herwig van Staa

Tyrol

Tyrol (Tirol in German) is a state or Land, located in the west of Austria.

The mountainous region neighbors to Vorarlberg in the west and Salzburg and Carinthia in the east. It is split into two parts, known as North Tyrol and East Tyrol separated by a 10-20 km wide band of the state Salzburg.

The larger, western part borders Bavaria, Germany in the North, and Italy and Switzerland in the South.

The highest mountain in the state is the Großglockner in the Hohe Tauern, with an elevation of 3.798 m (12.461 ft.), second only to the highest mountain of South Tyrol, the Ortler, 3.905 m (12.812 ft.), a summit that was in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy the highest top of the empire.

The capital is Innsbruck. The town is known for its university, especially the modern techniques in medicine. Tyrol is popular for its famous skiing resorts, such as Kitzbühel or St. Anton. Other larger towns are Kufstein, Schwaz, Reutte and Landeck.