Summer 2007 - Day 18

Day 18

Above Innsbruck is Ambras Castle. The castle was built by Archduke Ferdinand II between 1529 and 1595. It's divided into a lower and an upper castle.

The lower castle was constructed by the Archduke as a museum for his various collections. The collections include arms, armour, art and books.

This armour dates from the early 1500's. The armour on the right is the field armour of King Louis II of Hungary, 1515.

Jousting armour from around 1485.

Samurai armour, Japan around 1580.

Coral cabinet and cupboard from the 16 th century.

Once the upper castle had been completed, Archduke Ferdinand built a large hall known as the Spanish Hall. Don't know why it was called the Spanish Hall. The 43 metre long hall contains 27 portraits of the sovereign princes of Tirol.

The altar of St George from around 1515.

When visitors arrived they who were taken to the Bacchus grotto (named after the God of Wine) in one of the rocks by the castle. In the grotto was a Fangstuhl (trick chair), with arms that closed around the visitor and held him captive. Visitors had to drink a huge quantity of wine in one gulp and then sign their name in the drinking book — or starting again, if the first attempt wasn't successful.

Archduke Ferdinand married Philippine Welser, a commoner from Augsburg. They were married in secret in 1557. It was only after the birth of their first child in 1558 that Ferdinand I heard of the marriage of his son. Philippine had a bath built for herself which looks more like a swimming pool.

Inner Courtyard.

It appears that John and Mark had had enough and it was time to move on.

We had a quick look at the Olympic Bobsled run and then finished for the day.