Innsbrucker Hofgarten

The Hofgarten, or Court Garden, is a park on the outskirts of the city, near to the Hofburg, Kongresshaus, and Tiroler Landestheater. The park has a long and fascinating history, and a diverse and beautiful flora. The park also offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages and interests, such as a pond, a playground, a palm house, a restaurant, and a pavilion. The park is also easily accessible and user-friendly, making it a perfect destination for relaxation and enjoyment.

The Evolution of the Hofgarten

The Hofgarten dates back to the 15th century, when it was part of the floodplain of the Inn river. It was later transformed into a Renaissance garden by Emperor Maximilian I, who also built a hunting lodge and a fish pond in the area. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the garden underwent further changes under the influence of the Baroque style, featuring geometric shapes, fountains, statues, and pavilions.

The most significant makeover of the Hofgarten, however, was completed by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, a renowned landscape architect from Munich. He designed the park in the English landscape style, which aimed to create a natural and harmonious scenery, with curved paths, rolling hills, and varied vegetation. Sckell’s plan was approved in 1803, but it was not implemented until 1841, by an unnamed master, who deviated greatly from Sckell’s original idea. The result was a hybrid of the English and the Baroque styles, which still characterizes the Hofgarten today.

The Management of the Hofgarten

The Hofgarten is currently managed by the Austrian Federal Gardens, a subordinate agency of the Ministry of Life. The agency is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the park, as well as the organization of cultural and educational events. The Hofgartenverwaltung, or the Hofgarten Administration, is the local branch of the agency, and it is located in the park itself.

The Hofgartenverwaltung employs a team of gardeners, who take care of the unusual and diverse tree stock, which includes over 400 species of trees and shrubs. Some of the oldest and most remarkable trees in the park were planted by Austrian queen Maria Theresa, who had a special interest in botany. She personally selected and ordered exotic plants from all over the world, such as the ginkgo, the tulip tree, and the magnolia.

The Attractions of the Hofgarten

The Hofgarten offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. One of the most popular features of the park is the pond, which is home to ducks, swans, and fish. The pond is also surrounded by benches and a promenade, where people can enjoy the view and the fresh air.

Another attraction of the park is the contemporary children’s playground, which was built in 2010. The playground has a modern design and a colorful equipment, such as slides, swings, climbing frames, and sandboxes. The playground is also accessible for children with disabilities, and it has a separate area for toddlers.

The Hofgarten also has a palm house, which was constructed in 1882. The palm house is a greenhouse that houses a collection of plants representing over 1,700 species, mainly from tropical and subtropical regions. The palm house is open throughout the week, and it also hosts temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures on weekends during the summer season.

The park also has a popular garden restaurant, which serves traditional and international cuisine, as well as coffee and cake. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and a spacious terrace, where guests can enjoy the view of the park and the mountains. The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and it also offers catering services for private and corporate events.

One of the most historic and cultural attractions of the Hofgarten is the pavilion, which was built in 1733. The pavilion is a circular building with a dome and a portico, decorated with frescoes and sculptures. The pavilion is used as a venue for various events, such as concerts, lectures, and exhibitions. The pavilion is also the site of the annual chess tournament, which is held on two giant chess sets in front of the building.

The Accessibility of the Hofgarten

The Hofgarten is a city center local leisure area, which is easily accessible by public transport, bike, or foot. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the admission is free of charge. The park also has a free Wi-Fi service, and a public toilet.

One of the recent changes in the Hofgarten is the accessibility of the lawns. Walking on the decorative lawn was formerly prohibited owing to its low durability. However, since 2014, the lawns have become accessible and used, as part of a pilot project to increase the attractiveness and the usability of the park. The project also involved the installation of new signs, benches, and waste bins.

Innsbruck, Austria