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Tour through the historic old quarter of Hall in Tyrol

Hall in Tirol is a former salt-mining city about ten kilometres to the east of Innsbruck, whose history is closely intertwined with that of its larger neighbour. Hall is easy to get to by car (take exit Hall Mitte off motorway A12) and by public transport (IVB bus lines D, E, S and 4).

Hall in Tyrol was the seat of Emperor Maximilian I. Nobles, knights and monks also resided here. With its medieval facades and colourful winding streets, Hall in Tyrol constitutes an unmissable cultural and historical experience for the visitor.

Let's begin our tour through the historic old quarter from the Upper Market Place, which is transformed on market days into a beehive of frantic activity where brisk trade is done in fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and various rarities and local specialities such as home-made farmer's schnapps. This is not just a market for locals though; traders and visitors come here from far and wide. The gothic Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus chapel was built on the south-western side of the market place in 1281. Over the years, various elaborations on the original design were carried out, rendering it a more ornate, baroque-style structure. Other fine chapels adjacent to the Pfarrkirche are the Waldaufkapelle, the Fiegerkapelle, the St. Josefskapelle and the St. Magdalenenkapelle, now serving as a memorial chapel to those lost in war. The Alte Rathaus(Old Town Hall) lies due north of the Pfarrkirche. It was built around 1300 and served as the seat of count Heinrich Görz-Tirol. Today the building houses the impressive Rathaus Hall from 1451.

Our tour continues south-west towards the crossing point of Ritter-Waldauf-Strasse and Salvatorgasse. At this junction, we encounter the Nagglburg, which houses a restaurant of the same name. Epicureans will not find themselves short of Restaurants, Cafés and Gastgärten to choose from. The Salvatorgasse took its name from the nearby Salvatorkirche, which was masterminded by local architect Hans Kripp in 1400.

We then proceed eastwards down the Salvatorgasse to the point where the latter meets the Shmiedgasse. To the south-west lies the cloister of the former Spital Church and the Heiliggeistkirche, which has served as a school church since 1851. To the west of the Heliggeistkirche, the Münzergasse thrusts southwards.

We then follow the Münzergasse towards the city gate. This is a large structure with several related components such as the Burg Hasegg (which was built as a fortification to protect the southern face of the gate), the Münzerturm (a veritable symbol of the city) and the Münzmuseum (coin museum), where the famous 'Haller Taler' (Hall coin) originated. The complex also houses the Salinenkapelle and the Hall City museum, which traces the cultural and commercial life of the city over the centuries.

Continuing westwards through the pleasant Salinenpark, we arrive at the former salt depot of Saline Hall, which ceased to function in 1968. Thanks to restoration work, the unused building was transformed into the Kunsthalle Tirol, an arts complex of international standing which hosts frequent exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances and other cultural events.

We then take the same way back towards the Bundesstrasse (Federal road), where the Schweyger steps lead us up to the Erzherzog-Eugen-Strasse. At the end of this street (which is typical of the old quarter) we come to the Bergbaumuseum, which realistically recreates the salt mine which operated in the Hall valley until its closure in 1967. Further west lies the church square with the collegiate church built by Archduchess Magdalena in 1568. This church is particularly notable for its Kloster Herz Jesu mit dem Damenstift cloister, which has housed a working order of nuns since 1912, after a long period of disuse. The Jesuitenkirche zu Allen Heiligen, located north of the collegiate church, is a part of the former Jesuit cloister and boys' training school.

The Schulgasse takes us out of the church square in a northerly direction. We turn left from the Guarinonigasse into the Agramgasse, and then follow the Wallpachgasse until we get to the Stadtgraben. On the north side of the Stadtgraben we encounter the Franziskanerkloster (Franciscan cloister and college). This cloister is famous for its frescoes, which were designed in 1644 and reconstructed after a fire in 1760.

Going on westwards down the Kathreinstraße, Sewerstraße and the Reimmichlstraße, we finally come to the district of Heiligkreuz, formerly known as Gampas, which became an official district of Hall in 1938. The imposing Kirche Heiligkreuz (church), which was built in 1400 and gave its name to this district, provides a fitting end to our historical tour of Hall’s old quarter.


Alpenzoo and Abenderlebnis Seegrube

Tram no. 1 takes us from the city centre to the Hungerburgbahn stop. This is where the Riesenrundgemälde is located. This huge picture, one of Tyrol’s prime tourist attractions, spreads out over more than 1000 square metres of canvas and depicts the epic battle on the Bergisel of 3 August 1809, in which Andreas Hofer led his forces to victory over the Bavarians. After seeing the Riesenrundgemälde and the fascinating collection of the geographer, travel writer and sports motorist Dr. Max Reisch, we return to the Hunderburgbahn station.

After only a few minutes on the cable railway we arrive at the Alpenzoo stop. This is the highest zoo in Europe and a visit here provides an invigorating experience for both young and old. The zoo contains over two thousand animals, at least 150 of them from the alpine region alone. The largest cold-water aquarium in the world is home to fifty different kinds of fish, including some very rare species. Look out for the exotic sea horse, the playful water lynx and the diving otters. Have a little rest and light refreshment in the Burgschenke Zoo restaurant while the children let off steam in the play area.

Our cable railway journey then continues in the direction of Hungerburg, where we change trains to get up to the Seegrube. The eight-minute trip is in itself a feast for the eyes, as every metre of the steep rise reveals an ever more panoramic view of Innsbruck and the surrounding valley. The station at the top lies 1,905 metres above Innsbruck. The adjoining Hotel and Restaurant Seegrube is open all year round. With a choice between a traditional restaurant and a self-service eatery, this is an ideal place for lunch, dinner or a snack. The terrace is a marvellous location to have dinner and take in the full splendour of sunset over Innsbruck. Indeed, the vantage point over the Inn valley from here is unparalleled. If the weather is clear during the day, you can also get a breathtaking view of the jagged icy peaks and escarpments of the main Alpine range gleaming in the distance under the sunlight. For the more adventurous amongst you, there is also the option of taking the cable railway further to the stylish guest house at the Hafelakar station (altitude: 2260m) and attack one of the many Bergwanderungen (mountain hike routes) or Klettertouren (climbing tours) from there.

The last cable train down to the valley leaves at 10.30pm. After such a tour, you may be a little weary, but full of unforgettable memories of incredible views high above Innsbruck.

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