Beyond Innsbruck

This is sort of a catch-all page for other stuff we did in the Innsbruck area. I didn't take any of the pictures on this page, they were all taken by others in our group as I didn't visit these sites.

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Hofburg Imperial Palace

Mark and Ling checked this palace out as they were walking around town. Turns out it was about a block or two from the hotel. This palace is called Kaiserliche Hofburg Zu Innsbruck, or The Imperial Palace in Innsbruck, and was commissioned by Maximilian I in the 14th century. The key room in the palace is the Giant's Hall, designated a marvel fo the 18th century for it's trompe-l'oeil ceiling. It was painted by Franz Anton Maulpertsch in 1775.

As I wasn't there I have no idea what most of this stuff is so I'm not going to annotate most of the pictures.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture

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Swarovski Factory Tour

A few members of our group went to the Swarovski factory in a nearby town. The feedback was that it was interesting but the museum was only so-so. They were hoping at least to be shown how the stuff is made since it's supposed to be the factory. We all speculated that the stuff is actually made in China which is why they didn't show any of the actual factory.

Once again I wasn't there I have no idea what most of this stuff is so I'm not going to annotate most of the pictures.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture

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Neuschwanstein Castle

Dorothy and Greg visited Neuschwanstein Castle just over the border in Germany. This castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, better known to most as Crazy Ludwid. He built several castles but Neuschwanstein, the last one before his death, is the most famous. It is famous for being the most extravagant as well as being used by Walt Disney as the inspiration for the castle at the center of his Magic Kingdom.

Unfortunately the weather was foggy and otherwise pretty crappy when they visited there.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture