The story of this place
In 1500 Emperor Maximilian I crowned a balcony over Innsbruck's old town with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, creating the dazzling Goldenes Dachl so he and his court could watch tournaments and festivals in the square below. The reliefs beneath depict Maximilian between his two wives, court jesters and Moorish dancers. Innsbruck, at the crossroads of Alpine trade routes, was the favoured residence of this restless Holy Roman Emperor, remembered as the last knight. The glittering roof became the symbol of the city and of Habsburg splendour at the dawn of the 16th century.