Rapoldi Park

Stadtpark Rapoldi is a public park in the Pradl district of Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol, Austria. The park covers an area of about 12 hectares and offers a variety of recreational facilities, such as playgrounds, sports fields, a skate park, and a pond. The park is also home to a controversial sculpture that dates back to the Nazi era and has witnessed several violent incidents over the years.

The Origins of the Park

The park was named after Martin Rapoldi (1881-1926), a Tyrolean politician and journalist who played a prominent role in the social democratic movement and the workers’ education. Rapoldi served as the vice mayor of Innsbruck from 1919 to 1923 and as a member of the municipal council from 1923 until his death. He was also a founder and editor of the newspaper “Tiroler Volksbote” and a supporter of the Austrian Republic.

The park was originally located on the site of a former gasworks, which was closed in 1928. The park was then expanded to the north in the 1930s and 1940s, following the construction of the Leipziger Platz apartment buildings. The park was connected to the banks of the Sill and Inn rivers, creating a continuous green area that stretches to the north-eastern outskirts of the city. The Rapoldi pond, which is fed by the Sill, was built in the center of the park in 1938.

The Salige Sculpture

One of the most striking features of the park is the Salige sculpture, which stands on a pedestal near the pond. The sculpture depicts a woman holding a child in her arms, surrounded by four smaller figures. The sculpture was created by Hans Plangger, a Tyrolean artist who was influenced by the National Socialist ideology and aesthetics. The sculpture was commissioned by the Nazi authorities in 1944, as part of their plan to transform Innsbruck into a “Führerstadt” (a city dedicated to Adolf Hitler).

The sculpture was intended to represent the “Salige”, mythical beings from the Alpine folklore who were believed to protect the mountains and the people. However, the sculpture also reflects the Nazi ideal of women as mothers and breeders of the “Aryan” race. The sculpture was completed in 1953-1954, after the end of World War II, and was installed in the park by the Innsbruck city government, despite the protests of some citizens and politicians who considered it a symbol of fascism and oppression.

The sculpture has remained in the park ever since, although it has been vandalized and damaged several times. In 1988, the sculpture was covered with red paint and the inscription “Nazi Art Out”. In 2005, the sculpture was decapitated by unknown perpetrators, who left a note saying “No more Nazi art in public spaces”. The sculpture was restored and reinstalled in 2006, but the debate over its historical and artistic value continues to this day.

The Crime Scene

The park has also been the scene of some tragic and violent events, especially in the last two decades. The park is located near the Sillpark shopping center, which is a popular hangout for young people, but also a hotspot for drug trafficking and consumption. The park has been frequently cited in the media as a place where drug-related crimes, robberies, assaults, and rapes have occurred.

One of the most notorious cases was the murder of a 20-year-old woman, who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in the park in 2005. The murder shocked the public and sparked a debate over the safety and security of the park. In response, the authorities established “protection zones” in and around the park, where the police had the power to conduct identity checks, searches, and arrests without a warrant. The park was also equipped with video surveillance cameras, which were supposed to deter and prevent criminal activities.

However, these measures were criticized by some civil rights groups and activists, who argued that they were ineffective and violated the privacy and dignity of the park visitors. They also claimed that the cameras did not reduce the crime rate, but only displaced it to other areas. They demanded that the authorities should instead invest in social and educational programs, as well as in improving the infrastructure and the attractiveness of the park.

The Future of the Park

In 2018, the city of Innsbruck announced a new plan to revitalize the park and make it more appealing and accessible for the residents and tourists. The plan included the installation of 72 new cameras, which were supposed to improve the subjective feeling of security of the park guests. The cameras were also equipped with sensors and software that could detect and report suspicious or dangerous situations, such as fires, accidents, or vandalism.

The plan also involved the renovation and expansion of the playgrounds, the sports fields, and the skate park, as well as the creation of new areas for relaxation, culture, and events. The park was also supposed to become more environmentally friendly, by using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, and by promoting biodiversity and sustainability.

The plan was welcomed by some park users and supporters, who hoped that it would restore the park’s reputation and popularity. However, it was also met with skepticism and opposition by others, who feared that it would not address the underlying social and economic problems that affect the park and its surroundings. They also questioned the necessity and the legality of the increased surveillance and the use of artificial intelligence in the park.

Innsbruck, Austria