Altes Landhaus

The Altes Landhaus, also known as the Ständehaus, is the official residence of the Tyrolean Parliament and the seat of the state governor. It is also a remarkable example of baroque architecture and a cultural monument of national importance.

The Altes Landhaus was built between 1725 and 1734 by Georg Anton Gumpp, a prominent architect and sculptor from Innsbruck. He was commissioned by the Tyrolean Estates, the representative assembly of the nobility, clergy, and townspeople, to design and construct a new building for their meetings and ceremonies. The previous building, the Landhaus am Hof, had become too small and outdated for the growing needs of the Estates.

Gumpp’s plan was to create a spacious and elegant building that would reflect the prestige and power of the Tyrolean Estates. He chose the baroque style, which was popular at the time, and incorporated elements of Italian and French influences. The result was a magnificent structure that combined functionality and aesthetics.

The Altes Landhaus has a rectangular shape with a central courtyard and four wings. The main facade, facing the Landhausplatz, is decorated with pilasters, cornices, and statues of the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The entrance portal is flanked by two columns and topped by a balcony with a coat of arms. The roof is adorned with a lantern and a clock tower.

The interior of the Altes Landhaus is equally impressive, featuring rich stucco work, frescoes, paintings, and sculptures. The most notable rooms are the Großer Saal (Great Hall), where the plenary sessions of the Parliament take place, and the Riesensaal (Giant’s Hall), which is used for receptions and events. The Riesensaal is named after the four giant statues that support the ceiling, representing the four continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

The Altes Landhaus has been the official residence of the Tyrolean Parliament since 1848, when the Estates were replaced by a modern representative democracy. It is also the location of the offices of the state governor, who is the head of the executive branch of the Tyrolean government. The building is open to the public and hosts guided tours, exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural activities.

The Altes Landhaus is not only a historical and architectural landmark, but also a symbol of the identity and autonomy of Tyrol. It represents the tradition and continuity of the Tyrolean people, as well as their aspiration for self-determination and democracy.

History Of Altes Landhaus

The Origins of the Country House

The Tyrolean estates, or the representatives of the nobility, clergy, and towns, had the right to convene in regular parliaments to discuss and decide on matters concerning the province. At first, these parliaments were conducted in different towns across Tyrol, including Meran, Bozen, Brixen, Innsbruck, and Hall. However, as time went on, the parliaments were eventually only held in Bozen or Innsbruck, the two main centers of commerce and administration in Tyrol.

In 1563, Emperor Ferdinand I granted the Tyrolean estates a house in Bozen, where they could hold their meetings and store their documents. In 1613, they obtained another residence in Innsbruck, known as the “House zum Goldenen Engel” (House of the Golden Angel) on Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse. This house had been the dwelling place of the Tyrolean princes since 1420, and was later used as a guesthouse for visiting dignitaries.

The Construction of the New Building

The House of the Golden Angel soon proved to be too small and inadequate for the needs of the estates. Therefore, in 1666, the estates decided to acquire the former armory in the Neustadt area, on the same site where the current old country house stands today. The armory, which was originally constructed by Emperor Maximilian I in 1505 to showcase his ceremonial armor, had fallen into disrepair after a fire in 1620. Despite undergoing extensive repairs, the building still remained in a poor condition.

In 1773, the estates made the decision to construct a new building on the site of the old armory. They then hired the court architect, Georg Anton Gumpp, to create a design and provide a cost estimate for the project. Gumpp, who was also responsible for the design of the Hofkirche and the Triumphal Arch, proposed a Baroque-style building with a symmetrical facade, a central dome, and a richly decorated interior.

After extensive deliberations, the design was finally accepted and the decision to construct the new building was made on June 12, 1724. Work on the new building commenced in April 1725, following the demolition of the old structure. By the end of the year, the construction of the building’s shell was completed. The artistic decoration of the construction began in 1728, after it was largely completed, and continued until 1734. The decoration included frescoes, stucco, sculptures, paintings, and furniture, all made by local artists and craftsmen.

The construction cost, including the artistic design, amounted to 63,215 guilders, which was approximately three times higher than the initial cost estimate. The government reprimanded the provincial estates for this, which they perceived as an infringement on their rights and autonomy.

The Expansion and Modernization of the Country House

During the 19th century, various additions and new buildings were constructed to accommodate the expanding space needs of the state administration. The extension on Meraner Straße, which housed the provincial archives and the library, was constructed between 1868 and 1870. The Neue Landhaus, located in the southeast, was constructed in 1938/39 as the Gauhaus for the Reichsgau Tirol-Vorarlberg, the Nazi administrative unit that encompassed Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The building, which was designed by Franz Baumann in a monumental style, was later used as the headquarters of the French occupation forces, and then as the seat of the provincial government.

Landhaus 2, located on Heiliggeiststraße, was opened in 2005. The building, which was designed by the architectural firm Baumschlager Eberle, features a modern glass facade and a spacious atrium. Landhaus 1, located in the square that lies between the old and new Landhaus, Meraner Strasse, and Wilhelm-Greil-Strasse, was constructed in 2008. The building, which was designed by the architectural firm Henke Schreieck, houses the offices of the provincial governor and the provincial council.

The Role of the Country House in the Liberation of Tyrol

On May 3, 1945, the country house played a crucial role in the liberation of Tyrol from the Nazi regime. Franz Mair, a resistance fighter and a member of the provincial parliament, along with fellow resistance fighters, successfully took control of the country house and disarmed the Wehrmacht soldiers who were present. They then raised the Austrian flag on the roof of the building, signaling the end of the Nazi rule in Tyrol.

Mair, however, sustained severe injuries during a confrontation with SS members, who tried to recapture the country house. He passed away three days later, on May 6, 1945, becoming one of the last victims of the Second World War in Tyrol.

Architecture Of Altes Landhaus

Floor plan of the building

The floor plan of the three-storey building is designed in the style of Italian Baroque palaces, specifically inspired by the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide by Francesco Borromini and the Palazzo Chigi-Odescalchi by Lorenzo Bernini. These palaces are known for their complex and dynamic shapes, as well as their use of light and shadow to create dramatic effects. The Alte Landhaus follows a similar approach, with a symmetrical and harmonious layout that also incorporates some variations and contrasts.

The main wing on Maria-Theresien-Straße consists of eleven axes, while there are two narrower transverse wings with fifteen axes each. Together, they form a square inner courtyard, with the country house chapel completing the fourth side. The courtyard is a typical feature of Baroque palaces, as it provides a space for ceremonies, receptions, and entertainment. The chapel, which was added in 1737 by Johann Jakob Herkomer, is a simple and elegant structure that contrasts with the ornate façade of the main wing.

The three floors are horizontally divided by wide cornices, which are decorative moldings that project from the wall. The cornices serve to emphasize the horizontal lines of the building and to separate the different levels. The ground floor, which is slightly recessed, is mainly used for service and administrative purposes. The first floor, which is the most prominent, is reserved for the state rooms and the official functions of the estates. The second floor, which is slightly smaller, is used for the state parliament assembly room and the private apartments of the provincial governor.

Entrance hall and the grand staircase

The entrance hall features a grand staircase that leads to the upper floors. This staircase was designed in an elaborate manner and is widely regarded as one of the most representative staircases in Innsbruck. It reflects the prestige and power of the Tyrolean estates, as well as their connection to the ancient world and the Habsburg dynasty.

The side wall niches contain statues and busts of ancient gods, who represent the classical ideals of wisdom, courage, beauty, and justice. Franz Egg added the statues of Athena and Ares to the lower landing in 1898/99, as a tribute to the Tyrolean resistance against Napoleon. The upper landing features white framed sculptures of Artemis and Apollon, created by Nikolaus Moll in 1728. The sculptures are made of wood and are partly gilded. Above the niches, there are busts of Zeus and Hera, created by Ingenuin Lechleitner. These busts symbolize the supreme authority and sovereignty of the estates.

Nikolaus Moll also created the two magnificent vases that are placed on the marble supports of the banister. The vases are decorated with reliefs of scenes from Tyrolean history, such as the battles of Sempach and Morgarten, the peasant uprising of 1525, and the siege of Innsbruck by the Bavarians in 1703. The vases demonstrate the pride and patriotism of the Tyrolean people, as well as their loyalty to the Habsburgs.

The exquisite decorative stucco work on the staircase was completed from 1728 to 1730 by the stucco master Johann Michael Umhauser and his assistants. The stucco work consists of various motifs, such as floral patterns, cherubs, coats of arms, and allegorical figures. The stucco work adds to the richness and elegance of the staircase, as well as to the thematic coherence of the building.

The ceiling features a sculpture of the Tyrolean eagle, skillfully crafted by Ingenuin Lechleitner in 1728. The eagle proudly holds a stylized map of Tyrol in its claws, showing the borders of the province at the time of the construction of the building. The eagle is a symbol of the autonomy and identity of Tyrol, as well as of its allegiance to the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburgs.

State parliament assembly room

The state parliament assembly room is located on the entire central part of the second floor. It is the most important and impressive room in the building, as it is the place where the Tyrolean estates met to discuss and decide on the matters concerning the province. The room is also a witness to the history and development of Tyrol, as it hosted many events and personalities that shaped the destiny of the region.

The building features windows on both the east and west sides, which provide natural light and ventilation to the room. The windows also offer a view of the surrounding mountains and the cityscape, creating a connection between the interior and the exterior. The walls on the north and south are adorned with pilasters made of red stucco marble, which are vertical columns that project from the wall. The pilasters serve to support the ceiling and to create a sense of order and harmony in the room.

Each room is adorned with two doors featuring marble frames and intricately carved door leaves. The doors are made of walnut and are decorated with motifs such as laurel wreaths, trophies, and medallions. The doors lead to the adjacent rooms, such as the vestibule, the room of the provincial governor, and the private apartments. The doors also symbolize the access and communication between the different functions and authorities of the estates.

Additionally, there are two statue niches and a grand marble fireplace, adding to the room’s magnificence. The statue niches contain life-size statues of Tyrolean princes and governors, who played a significant role in the history and administration of the province. These statues, carved by Nikolaus Moll between 1730 and 1732, are painted in white and are dressed in contemporary costumes. On the north side, they represent Duke Charles V of Lorraine and Emperor Leopold I. On the south side, they represent Archduke Leopold V and Charles III Philip of the Palatinate. These statues honor the memory and achievements of these rulers, as well as their relationship with the estates.

There are also oil portraits of the four most important representatives of the estates at the time the house was built on the north and south side of the Landtagsaal. These portraits, painted by Johann Georg Dominikus Grasmair in 1730, depict the president, the vice-president, the secretary, and the treasurer of the estates. These portraits show the faces and personalities of the men who were responsible for the governance and welfare of Tyrol, as well as their status and dignity.

Innsbruck, Austria