Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Seefeld is 25km northwest of Innsbruck, just off the Germany-bound B177. The track
starts climbing soon after departing Innsbruck, providing spectacular views across the
whole valley. There are hourly buses to Mittenwald (€4.20, 25 minutes) and Garmisch-
Partenkirchen (€11.80, 45 minutes) in Germany. Trains run to/from Innsbruck (€5.80, 36
minutes) at least hourly.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Stams
05263 / POP 1340 / ELEV 672M
One of Tyrol's true architectural highlights is the ochre-and-white
Zisterzienstift
(
www.stiftstams.at
; Stiftshof 1; tours adult/child €4.70/2.50; guided tours hourly 9-11am & 1-4pm Jun-Sep, 2pm
Wed Oct-May)
in Stams. The abbey was founded in 1273 by Elisabeth of Bavaria, the moth-
er of Konradin, the last of the Hohenstaufens. Set in pristine grounds, the monumental
facade is identified by its twin silver cupolas, which were added as a final flourish when
the abbey was revamped in baroque style in the 17th century. The exuberant church in-
terior is dominated by the high altar: the intertwining branches of this version of the 'tree
of life' support 84 saintly figures surrounding an image of the Virgin. Near the entrance
is the
Rose Grille
, an exquisite iron screen made in 1716. Crane your neck to admire the
ceiling which swirls with rich stuccowork, gilding and elaborate frescoes by Georg Wolk-
er.
Marmalade, juice, honey and schnapps made on the premises can be bought from the
Kloster shop
( 9am-noon & 1-5pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm Sun)
.
Stams is on the train route between Innsbruck and Landeck (both €7.80, 38 minutes).
Both the A12 and B171 pass near the abbey.
TOP OF CHAPTER
The Ötztal
POP 12,000
Over millenniums, the Ötztal (Ötz Valley) has been shaped into rugged splendour. No
matter whether you've come to ski its snow-capped mountains, raft its white waters or
