Innsbruck is a city embraced by the Alps, painted with the most pastel tones by an artist, like a canvas kissed by the enthusiasm of the Inn River

As we approach winter, I will talk about a city that I discovered in autumn, but it’s truly a winter destination. But before delving into the city, perhaps I should talk a bit about the region where this city is located.

Last week, during our 10-day family autumn vacation, we turned our direction to South and North Tyrol. This region, known as the Tyrol Region, is spread across two countries. The reason for this division is that after World War I, in 1919, Tyrol was split into northern and southern parts. After World War I, the northern part of the Tyrol Region, namely North Tyrol, was given to Austria in 1937, and the southern part of the Tyrol Region, namely South Tyrol, was given to Italy. North Tyrol is reasonably well-known today, but few may know that a portion of Tyrol is in Italian territory. Especially in terms of geography, South Tyrol, which has an entirely different appearance from the classic Italian view, is one of Italy’s autonomous regions. I will describe this region and its capital in more detail in my next article.

On this trip, where we had the opportunity to visit the capitals of these regions located in different countries and a few natural formations around them, I must say I was fascinated by Innsbruck, the capital of North Tyrol, one of Austria’s nine states.

Whenever I was asked which color I liked the most, I thought choosing one color from pastel colors would be unfair to the others. Well, Innsbruck is exactly like that. It seems as if the whole city has been painted with every color without being unjust to any pastel shade.

Its colorful houses, historical texture, Alpine views I encountered when I looked up, the enthusiasm of the flowing Inn River and the sunset I experienced on the Innbrücke Bridge have already become part of my unforgettable travel experiences.

Integrating with the surrounding Alpine Mountains and the Inn River flowing enthusiastically through the city center, Innsbruck offers a magnificent tableau with its natural beauties, historical texture and colorful streets. Innsbruck is like an award-winning masterpiece of a painter with its natural beauty, historical texture and colorful streets.

Known as the capital of the Alps, Innsbruck has ranked fifth among Austria’s largest cities. Located on the road connecting Germany, Austria and Italy, close to Munich in Germany and Verona in Italy, Innsbruck is situated on the Inn Valley. Especially during the winter sports season, the city hosts ski enthusiasts and has an airport located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the city center. Since the airport is so close to the city center, while strolling through Innsbruck’s historic streets filled with short buildings, it feels as if you can almost touch the planes passing overhead by raising your hand.

Our baby, who is particularly fond of planes, couldn’t take his eyes off the sky in Innsbruck. Every detail in Innsbruck urged us to stay here for two or three days. However, I must say for travelers coming here, you won’t need too much time to visit its important places. Of course, apart from seeing the city center, there might be activities you want to do in this region. If you want to go up to the Nordkette Mountains near the city center, go skiing, visit the famous hiking routes in Karwendel Nature Park or go to the Alpine Zoo, you might need more time.

Maria Theresien Street

As soon as we arrived in the city, our first stop was the Saint Anna Column, located on Maria Theresien Street, the busiest street in the town. This column was built in the early 1700s to remember those who died in the war between the Bavarian Duchy and the Tyrol province. Rising to the sky, the Saint Anna Column, surrounded by magnificent baroque-style buildings and the Triumphal Arch at the end of the street, creates a splendid atmosphere. You can capture beautiful photos here.

Goldenes Dachl

While exploring the city, you might find yourself in the Old Town, or as the Austrians call it, Altstadt, many times. The colorful lined houses, restaurants sparkling with tables set on the streets and the structures from the Middle Ages make the heart of the city beat here.

After a long photo break on the street, our next stop was the Goldenes Dachl, located in the Old Town. We could have saved the column for later and headed to the Triumphal Arch at the end of the street after seeing the Goldenes Dachl. However, the Goldenes Dachl, dazzling me with its golden glimmers, was calling me. It was the place I was most curious about before coming here.

This building, called Goldenes Dachl, has a balcony with a golden roof and is one of the symbols of the city. It is located right in the center of the Old Town.

Built in the 15th century, it to be used as a residence by Archduke Friedrich IV. The roof of the building, completed in 1500, was made using 2,738 copper nails covered with gold leaf. Even on a cloudy day, the roof is incredibly shiny.

On the building with this golden roof balcony built for Emperor Maximilian and his wife Burgundy Maria in memory of their wedding, there is also an inscription that catches the eye. Although it is not yet known exactly what it says, it is thought to mean, “Use every moment, dance every dance; you can’t take anything with you.”

I don’t know how many different angles I took photos of it. This building, which adds a different atmosphere to the Old Town and the square, seemed to have sprung from a fairy tale.

Triumphal Arch

At the end of Maria Theresien Street, there is a magnificent structure that has become the symbol of the city. We saved the Golden Roof to see it last, but actually, we could have visited the Triumphal Arch first. This structure is similar to the colossal arches you see in many cities such as Paris, Berlin and Munich, but it’s a miniature version. This Triumphal Arch was built in 1765 in honor of the marriage of Leopold II and Maria Ludovika have one face representing joy and another representing sorrow. It is said that the reason for this is the death of Leopold II’s father, Franz I, during the wedding celebrations.

Stadttrum

One of the striking structures in the square in the Old Town is the Stadttrum, which stands at a height of 30 meters. The “City Tower,” as it is called, is considerably taller than the surrounding buildings and is located right next to the golden roof.

This tower provides an opportunity for those who want to climb to high places without going far, where you can watch Innsbruck’s colorful medieval streets and the Nordkette mountain range.

Bergisel Ski Jump Tower

On a high hill in the south of the city stands a tower erected in 1892 in honor of the commander Andreas Hofer, who served during the Bergisel Battles. The area where the tower, which has been used for ski jumping competitions in the city since 1852, is located was also used in the Winter Olympics of 1964 and 1976.

Regarding skiing and winter tourism in Europe, Innsbruck is one of the first cities that come to mind. Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976, the Winter Paralympic Games in 1984 and 1988, and the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012. By the way, if I tell you that the world-renowned ski jumper is a sportsman from Innsbruck named Gregor Schlierenzauer, you probably won’t be surprised, right?

You can reach the tower, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city, by funicular or after a long walk.

Swarovski Museum

I left the most glittering detail of this colorful city to the end. The production and operational facilities of the world-famous Austrian brand Swarovski are located in this beautiful city.

In the museum inside the facilities, you can visit an exhibition about precious stones. You can explore this magical Swarovski world adorned with crystals. Undoubtedly, the most enjoyable part of the facility will be the room where you can experience how you can see your surroundings from inside a crystal.

Alpenzoo

A place I can recommend, especially for those traveling with children in Innsbruck, is Alpenzoo, known as Austria’s, even Europe’s, highest-altitude zoo. With its breathtaking view, Alpenzoo captures the hearts of adults and it attracts the attention of children with approximately 2,000 animals of about 150 species. Alpenzoo, which houses a large aquarium, also hosts Europe’s largest golden eagle. Here, you can see many native animal species living in the Alps.

Apart from all I have mentioned, other significant places you can see in Innsbruck include the Hofburg Palace and its garden, Hofgarten, Helblinghaus, St. Jakob’s Cathedral, Ambras Castle and Europe’s highest bridge, Europabrücke.

Also, if you want to enjoy the view of Innsbruck from above, you can take the funicular to Nordkette.

Of course, while you are in Austria, don’t forget to try the famous schnitzel. Later, make sure to visit Valier and Munding pastry shops to taste local desserts. Then, sitting by the Inn River on the Old Town side, enjoy a cup of coffee and let your spirits be lifted by the colorful houses on the other side of the bridge, enchanted by the magnificent view of the Alpine Mountains surrounding the city like a wall and reaching up to the sky.

Source: Daily Sabah

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Thanksgiving, a celebration intended to express gratitude or give thanks for the bounty at the end of the harvest season. It was thus codified, by President George Washington, who declared it a national holiday in the newly-minted United States of America in 1789. Canada followed suit, Canadians being notorious followers. Washington decreed this celebration would fall on the fourth Thursday in November, not being able to look into the future and see that that is the day after the greatest tragedy to befall the nation in modern times: President John F. Kennedy’s fateful November 22 trip to Dallas, where he would get his brains blown out by parties still unidentified, conveniently followed by the rise of the modern surveillance state.

Thanksgiving 2023 occurs on Thursday, November 23. The day after Thanksgiving Day is known as “Black Friday”, and unofficially marks the start of the Christmas holiday season, and the rampage of shopping. You can get killed in the stampede, if you do not avoid the eager masses swamping the Dollar Stores. Many believe these are the End Times, and are wearing out their credit cards.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday when family members, many of whom deeply dislike one another, force themselves to gather, pretend geniality, and eat a mammoth meal. Stomach medicine sales surge the day after. Thanksgiving Day is indeed a busy time on American streets, similar to Eid in Indonesia or Imlek or Chinese New Year in the Middle Kingdom, when citizens pause for a moment in their delirious hunt for money to go through the motions.

The Thanksgiving Day legend dates the celebration from the time enterprising Europeans invaded the American continent, a gun in one hand and the Bible in the other, having been severely persecuted in the old country on account of their peculiar religious convictions. The somewhat apocryphal story is that the radical Christian Europeans who were known as the “Pilgrims” invited members of local Native American Indian tribes to join them for a dinner party, in 1621.

These recent uninvited migrants from Europe had encountered difficulties in cultivating crops in the strange soils of the New World. Thus the native Americans, taking pity on the innocents (many of whom had starved to death, in early colonies) patiently taught them how to farm. The Pilgrims grudgingly invited these Native Americans, whom they considered pagan savages, to a dinner party, as a way of thanking  them for their help. Next, the newcomers, breeding like rabbits, stole all the Indian land and went to war against any aborigines who did not submit to the rule of the Republic. Thus began the American custom of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Foods customarily served by overworked housewives (many also working the fields, caring for children and fighting predators) are heavy: turkey, breads, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Thus the country has turned into fatty-land, with 20% of the American population dangerously obese and suffering from all that good eating.

Thanksgiving celebrations have lost much of their original religious significance, in many American households; folks just want to dig in and shovel down the eats. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621. The President of the United States of America customarily “pardons” one turkey every Thanksgiving, so the bird is saved from the slaughter.

Nearly 90 percent of Americans will be eating the hapless turkey—roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation (strangely enough, none of its members are turkeys). Foreigners visiting during the celebration are astonished at the volume of stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie the locals stuff into their bellies. Each plate would feed a family of five in Cambodia.

Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the homeless millions, representing the increasingly expanding dark face of post-modern capitalism.

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Holiday makers are being urged to be cautious when travelling to Turkey following the two earthquakes that hit the south-east of the country, as well as neighbouring Syria, on Monday.

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for UK holiday makers, with increased interest this year due to the strength of the pound against the Turkish lira. However, due to the level of destruction and the death toll surpassing 22,000, the UK Foreign Office has warned holiday makers currently in Turkey and those planning to visit over the February school half-term to “follow the information and advice from local authorities/your tour operator.”

It has urged travellers to “avoid the immediate vicinity” of the incident. This advice applies to the Turkish provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye and Adana.

On Tuesday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a three-month state of emergency covering these 10 southern provinces, calling the area a disaster zone. The move came as the death toll continued to rise, with rescuers racing against time to dig people out of the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Currently, no flights from UK airports to Turkey have been cancelled as a result of the earthquakes. However, airports in the south-east of Turkey have closed, including Adana Şakirpaşa, Hatay and Gaziantep Oğuzeli.

Travel to Turkey’s main cities, Ankara and Istanbul – in the west of the country and hundreds of miles from the earthquake zone – as well as to popular holidays areas like the Aegean coast, is operating as normal.

The possibility of further aftershocks remains a concern. It is being reported that some areas which had previously been off-limits due to their proximity to war-torn Syria, but had risen in popularity in recent years, have largely been destroyed, including parts of the cities of Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa (usually called Urfa).

An initial survey carried out by Unesco found that several buildings at the world heritage site of Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape had collapsed. The ancient Gaziantep Castle, one of the Turkish city’s most famous landmarks, was severely damaged by the earthquake. Other sites on the world heritage list not far from the epicentre, such as Göbekli Tepe, Nemrut Dağ and Tell of Arslantepe, could also be affected.

Jeremy Seal, who runs tours to the country and last visited the region in May 2022, recently wrote in his blog: “I do not know what still stands of these cities – of their hotels, mosques and museums, of Gobekli Tepe’s 10,000-year-old megaliths and other wonders.

“Nor should I care – at least not until the work to rescue the trapped and injured is completed … For now I find myself thinking of all the wonderful people who have fed, housed, entertained and otherwise served us in the course of numerous visits to the region over the years. My heart goes out to them, to their families, friends and neighbours, knowing that all I can do is reach into my pocket.”

Last year British nationals made more than 3.3m visits to Turkey, but this time of year is considered off-season.

Seal said he was still planning to run a winter tour, departing this Sunday, precisely because the crowds are absent and because the “Turkish winter can be wonderful”.

“In the end, there are hoteliers and restaurants and drivers and others who need to make a living, and I’m not sure they would thank us for cancelling out of some notion of respect,” added Seal.

Source: The Guardian

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