Golden Roof, Late Gothic building in Old Town, Austria
Golden Roof is a late Gothic building in the Old Town of Innsbruck, Austria, known for its richly decorated bay window. The structure projects from the facade and is covered with gilded copper tiles that gleam against the pale stonework.
Maximilian I commissioned the bay window in 1493 to mark his marriage to Bianca Maria Sforza and used it as a royal viewing platform for tournaments. The structure signaled the start of his rule in Tyrol and served as a visible symbol of his authority.
The landmark takes its name from the gilded copper shingles that catch light differently throughout the day. Locals know the building as Neuhof, while visitors typically pause in the square below to gaze up at the balcony.
The museum inside opens daily from May through September and Tuesday to Sunday from October through April, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The bay window is visible from the outside at all times, with the best view from the square directly in front.
Behind the figurative reliefs on the balcony run hidden inscriptions in Latin that refer to light and guidance. Historian Erhard Maroschek discovered these texts during a restoration and interpreted them as symbolic messages from the emperor.
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