Igls
Igls is an alpine town in the Inn Valley just south of Innsbruck in North Tyrol, Austria.
Understand
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phone: +43 512 37 71 01address: Hilberstraße 15
History
The history of Igls is largely a mystery, although row graves were uncovered within its administrative boundaries, and the nearby Goldbichl hill to the south is an important archaeological site for Tyrol. There is discussion over the name of Igls, which is either said to originate from an 11th century monastery at the Tegernsee, which had possessions in Igls.Igls developed from a rural village into a summer resort for the Innsbruck upper class in the 19th century, and with it came the construction of the first hotels in the town.
Igls rose to international fame through the Olympic Winter Games of 1964 and 1976 being organized on the slopes of the Patscherkofel. An ice bobsleigh track and Olympic ski run were constructed, and these facilities are still in use for international sports competitions such as the Youth Olympics of 2012.
In recent years, Igls has become a victim of global warming, with snowfall diminishing year after year. Lack of snow has resulted in the closure and decommissioning of the Patscherkofelbahn base station which used to offer skiers a direct ascent onto the Patscherkofel from the heart of Igls. The new base station straddles the mountain a few km to the south-east, and with skiers passing through the town by bus instead of visiting, the future of the tourism sector in Igls is uncertain. Restaurants and night life have already reduced their opening hours to compensate for the lack of patrons, but travellers with a keen eye can profit from the reduced demand for accommodation as hotel prices have also dropped significantly.
Orientation
Igls is a town of ca. 2450 inhabitants, on the heights south of the Inn Valley, and south of regional capital city Innsbruck to which it administratively belonged until 1961. It lies in the shadow of the Patscherkofel mountain, popular in summer for hiking and in winter for skiing.Climate
Get in
By tram
By bus
Bus passes through Igls on the way to the Patcherkofel Talstation. Get off at . Alternatively, take bus 4141 and get off at .Get around
Igls is small enough to get around by foot. To get to the , take bus direction and get off at the terminus station where the entrance of the Patscherkofelbahn is to your left.
See
Heiligwasser Pilgrimage ChurchThe Heiligwasser (literally "Holy Water" in German) pilgrimage is on the slope of the Patscherkofel mountain at an altitude of 1234 m, following a path of 10 chapels of which 5 remain. According to the legend, an angel appeared to 2 peasants searching for lost cattle in 1606, and showed them the way to a spring where they found their cattle. In return, the angel commanded a chapel to be built next to the spring, an undertaking completed by the bishop of Brixen. The site soon became a destination for pilgrims, and in 1661 a church was built to replace the chapel, in which a first religious service was held a year later. Halfway the 18th century, the church was expanded with a side chapel, and buildings around the church were constructed to accommodate the needs of pilgrims, who attribute healing effects to the spring's water. Of particular interest is the churches 3-sided choir with hexagonal choir tower and typical onion shaped roof. The portal is decorated with a fresco from 1743. The ceiling frescoes were added in 1945 by Hans Andre. The Baroque high altar dates from the first half of the 15th century but was stolen in 1971 and replaced with its current copy.
GoldbichlOne of the most important archaeological sites in Tyrol, Goldbichl is a 1064 m tall hill which was used as a place of worship in the Bronze Age. The oldest finds at the site are flint arrowheads from the Neolithic period, originating from Verona, and proving that long distance trade was possible in that era. The hill gained importance in the Bronze age, 4 millennia ago, when sacrificial fires were lighted on altars made of clay and stone, which were visible from afar in the Stubai Valley looking out over the deforested hill. Remains of residences and gardens were found on the northern side of the hill, built on terraces separated from the religious sites by ramparts. The terraces are still recognizable today, although the hill has been reforested since Roman times. Interestingly, the grave of a young woman, buried here after her cremation, has been uncovered. The grave made news headlines because of the numerous ceramic artifacts and other funerary objects found along the scorched skeleton. The location of her grave suggests she might have been a priestess. The Bronze Age site existed until the 16th century BC. In the Iron Age, around 600 BC, the site found renewed interest and underwent expansion with fortifications such as walls and palisades. Evidence suggests that the site became the center of a settlement, and sporting competitions were organized around the sacrificial fires. Goldbichl remained important until the Alps were conquered by the Romans between 100 and 15 BC, and all the heathen facilities were destroyed. The site can be visited, and in 2006 an archaeological trail was constructed which leads up to the summit from the northeastern side, ca. 15-min walk.
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phone: +43 512 377394address: Widumweg 4Former Romanesque parish church consecrated in 1286, and rebuilt in a late Gothic style in the 15th century. In 1705 it was once again rebuilt in a Baroque style.
Do
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address: Zirbenweg 11An exceptional collection of rare plants and flowers in Austria's highest alpine garden at an altitude of 2,000 m, the 15 000 m² garden is taken care of by the University of Innsbruck. In addition to native alpine flowers such as Edelweiss and Gentian, there are several species from the Himalayas to admire as well. Founded in the 1930s, the garden aims to preserve species that have disappeared in the wild. Visitors can follow a circular path along the gardens many trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers.
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phone: +43 676 3329507address: Bilgerstrasse 9The best way to relieve tensed muscles after a day of skiing, massages are available from 30 min to 90 min.
Winter sports
Igls is most popular to travelers as a ski resort in winter, thanks to the Patscherkofel mountain in close proximity. With 18 km easy and intermediate slopes, the Patscherkofel ski area is ideal for beginnners. Igls had its own gondola cable car up to the Patscherkofel summit until 2017 when it was replaced by a new aerial tramway with a higher capacity. It unfortunately no longer has a station in Igls itself, skiers must take a bus to the new base station about 20 min away from the Igls centre. Usage of the bus is free with a Patscherkofel skipass.
Übungslift
Buy
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phone: +43 512 319361address: Römerstraße 81Store specialized in mountaineering equipment for winter and summer. Although they're likely on the expensive side if you seek to buy your ski gear here, their location next to the Patscherkofel Talstation makes them a convenient solution if you happen to break equipment, lose ski goggles or gloves, or need your skis waxed. They also have PPE in stock all year round.
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phone: +43 512 378649address: Hilberstraße 2Convenience store with a wide selection of fresh produce and dry/canned foods. Also sells toiletry items and tape/glue to fix equipment.
Eat
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phone: +43 57 021 0500address: Römerstraße 81Small restaurant geared towards skiers. With a newly renovated warm wooden interior, it is the best restaurant in the area for those who don't feel like undertaking the 20 min walk back to the Igls town centre. The food is on the pricey side for what it is, and the service to the level expected at a tourist hotspot. Menus are available in English. Free wifi.
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phone: +43 512 377171address: Heiligwasserweg 47Not the cheapest restaurant around, but the fantastic view makes up for the price. Local Tyrolean cuisine of good quality, served in fairly sized portions.
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phone: +43 664 9259351address: Zirbenweg 2Restaurant and bar with a great view over the Stubaital and Inntal. The menu is rather pricey, but there aren't any other options available at 2,248 m altitude.
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phone: +43 5 702 10 500address: Zirbenweg 9Restaurant tailored to skiers: fast food with minimal service. Free wifi, suitable for kids.
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phone: +43 512 37 71 96address: Zirbenweg 10The newly built Patscherkofelbahn somewhat ruined the view from its terrace, but the Schutzhaus still provides hikers and skiers alike with decent food although at a fairly steep price.
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Patscher Alm
phone: +43 664 405 30 26address: Patscherkofel 9Traditional Tyrolean mountain restaurant aimed at skiers in winter and hikers in summer, close to the slopes when they're opened. Pricey, but decent quality food in generous portions. -
phone: +43 512 377317address: Widumweg 10Traditional Tyrolean bakery with great bread and pastries.
Drink
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phone: +43 664 - 43 68 391address: Am Bichl 30Cozy bar for hikers and skiers seeking refuge from the alpine weather, or simply relaxing after a day exploring the Patscherkofel.
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phone: +43 676 3692988address: Bilgeristraße 24Hookah lounge and good food, with a variety of oriental specialties on the menu.
Sleep
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phone: +43 512 377600address: Hilberstraße 8Large hotel in the Igls historic centre, with plenty of accommodations for hikers and skiers: indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, and storage room for ski gear. Among the cheaper options to spend the night in Igls, and good value. Dinner separately is €17.50 for a 3 course meal. Wifi is BonAlpinaFree with password BonAlpina%.
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phone: +43 512 377142address: Heiligwasserweg 12A family hotel right next to the Igls practice ski lift, on a walking distance from the Congress.
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phone: +43 512 377379address: Fernkreuzweg 16A nice bed & breakfast on the outskirts of town.
Connect
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phone: +43 810 010100address: Hilberstrasse 20Send snailmail and parcels, sells stamps and packaging materials.
Stay safe
Igls' locals are reserved but helpful, so should anything happen to you, do not hesitate to ask for assistance. There is adequate mobile reception in the entire town and most arts of the Patscherkofel.