Goldenes Dachl

Goldenes Dachl, magnificent oriel from the late Gothic period with roof made of 2738 gilded copper tiles in Innsbruck (Tyrol). It was built by Niklas Türing the Elder in nearly three years (1497/98-1500) for Maximilian I, who wanted the work to be finished in time for the new century (1500). Previously, the building was the second town residence for the Prince Bishop of Brixen in Innsbruck. The oldest reliefs that are still intact depict Maximilian (portraits en face and in profile), his two wives, his court jester, Archduke Sigmund (long believed to represent a Councillor), Moorish dancers performing the Moresca, and the coats of arms. The original reliefs are on show in the Landesmuseum of Tirol. Frescoes by J. Kölderer depict standard-bearers holding the banners of the Empire and of Tirol and are dated "im XV jar" (=1500). By the same artist are the frescoes in the open loggia, depicting Maximilian with members of his immediate family. In the same building, the Maximilianeum museum was opened in 1996.

Literature: J. Felmayer, Die profanen Kunstdenkmäler der Stadt Innsbruck, 1972; idem, Das Goldene Dachl in Innsbruck, 1996.