Schloss Ambras, Grassmayr Bell Foundry

We found an inexpensive hotel (Kapeller) with the main reason being no AC. Not typically a problem in Innsbruck however they are into their 3rd week of a hot spell, which means night only into the 60s and days in low 80s. Not really a problem, it’s kind of like comfortable camping.
Behind our hotel is the Ambras park and Tummelplatz, home of Schloss (castle) Ambras. The park is several hundred acres of former training land for horses and mounted cavalry. It has miles of trails with steep inclines, about 800 feet of elevation and a lot of woods.
The Schloss is a renaissance castle which became a museum over 450 years ago. It has an amazing amount of artwork, cut crystal, armor, and rare artifacts focused on the Hapsburgs, archduke Ferdinand and his descendants, and Austrian nobility. Definitely worth the price of admission!
Finally we went to Grassmayr, a local bell manufacturer since 1599. They have a small museum showing how bells are made, different types of bells from cowbells to church bells to temple gongs, some weighing thousands of pounds. This family run business makes some of the worlds finest bells and stays busy.
Off tomorrow to Munich where we will part ways with our friends. It’s been a fast 3 weeks!Baca selengkapnya