Lexi Webster
Tyrol is a federal state in Austria, wholly Alpine in character. It is divided into two parts: North Tyrol and East Tyrol, which are separated by a strip of Salzburg State. The state is bordered by Germany to the north, Bundesländer Salzburg and Kärnten (Carinthia) to the east, Vorarlberg to the west, and Italy to the south. The capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck, which is also the largest city in the state. The region is known for its majestic mountains, deep valleys, and picturesque villages, as well as its rich history and culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Austria and Northern Italy |
| Administrative Parts | State of Tyrol and Region of Trentino-Alto Adige |
| Capital | Innsbruck |
| Districts | 9 |
| Municipalities | 277 |
| Language | German, Italian, Ladin, Cimbrian, and Mócheno |
| Highest Mountain | Großglockner |
| Mountain Height | 3,797 m (12,457.35 ft) |
| Mountain Range | Hohe Tauern |
| Mountain Type | Alpine |
| Rivers | Inn River, Drava River |
| Mountain Passes | Brenner Pass |
| Glaciers | Over 600 |
| Peaks over 3,000 m | Over 500 |
| Airports | Innsbruck Airport, Munich, Salzburg |
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What You'll Learn
Tyrol's location in the Alps
Tyrol is a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire, and Austria-Hungary. Tyrol is divided into two parts: North Tyrol and East Tyrol. The state's territory is located entirely within the Eastern Alps at the Brenner Pass. The main chain of the Alps geographically divides the Alps into a southern and northern half.
North Tyrol shares its borders with the federal states of Salzburg in the east and Vorarlberg in the west. In the north, it borders the German federal state of Bavaria, and in the south, it shares borders with the Italian province of South Tyrol and the Swiss canton of Graubünden. East Tyrol shares its borders with the federal state of Carinthia to the east and Italy's Province of Belluno (Veneto) to the south.
The region is characterized by many valleys, including the Inn Valley and the Adige Valley, where a large part of the population lives. Tyrol has long been a central hub for European long-distance routes and is thus a transit land for trans-European trade over the Alps. The Brenner Route, for example, traverses the whole of Tyrol and is regarded as a connecting link between Italian and German-speaking areas. The region also features many mountains, with over 500 peaks in Tyrol exceeding the 3,000-metre mark. The highest mountain in the federal state is the Großglockner, which is part of the Hohe Tauern range on the border with Carinthia.
Tyrol is a popular tourist destination, known for its skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The region also has a rich cultural history, with traditions, food, dress, and customs that have been cultivated for several centuries and passed on to future generations.
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The state's two parts
Tyrol is a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire and Austria-Hungary, from its formation in the 12th century until 1919.
In 1919, following World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, it was divided into two modern administrative parts through the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The two constituent parts of Tyrol are the northern and larger North Tyrol (or 'Nordtirol') and the southeastern and smaller East Tyrol (or 'Osttirol'). These two parts are separated by a 7-kilometre-wide (4.3-mile) strip of Salzburg State.
North Tyrol shares its borders with the federal states of Salzburg in the east and Vorarlberg in the west. In the north, it borders the German federal state of Bavaria, and in the south, it shares borders with the Italian province of South Tyrol and the Swiss canton of Graubünden. East Tyrol shares its borders with the federal state of Carinthia to the east and Italy's Province of Belluno (Veneto) to the south.
The capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck, which is known for its university, particularly for its medicine programme. The city of Innsbruck has its own tram network, and the region is also accessible via motorway or by air through Innsbruck Airport. The state is popular for its ski resorts, which include Kitzbühel, Ischgl, and St. Anton.
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The history of the County of Tyrol
The County of Tyrol, a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria, has a long and complex history that dates back thousands of years. The name "Tyrol" is believed to derive from the root word meaning "terrain", or possibly from the Slavic "ta rola", meaning "this land, farming terrain/ground". The region was inhabited as early as the Palaeolithic era, with archaeological findings showing evidence of human settlement from around 12,000 BC.
During the Bronze and Iron Ages, Tyrol was home to several autochthonous cultures, the most prominent being the Laugen-Melaun and Fritzens-Sanzeno cultures. In the 6th century BC, the region was invaded by Germanic Lombards, who founded the Lombard Kingdom of Italy, which included the southern part of Tyrol. The northern part of Tyrol came under the influence of the Bavarii, while the western part was likely part of Alamannia.
In the 12th century, the County of Tyrol emerged as a state within the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by a comital dynasty residing in Tyrol Castle near Meran. Over time, these counts extended their territory and strengthened their independence, surpassing the power of the bishops who were nominally their feudal lords. The Meinhardinger family, originating in Gorizia, controlled Tyrol from 1259 until the death of Count Meinhard II in 1295. During this period, the county established itself firmly in the "Land on the Adige and Inn".
In 1363, the last Tyrolean countess of the Meinhardinger Dynasty, Margaret, bequeathed Tyrol to the House of Habsburg, who ruled the region for the next five centuries. From 1740 onwards, Tyrol was governed by the central government of the Habsburg monarchy in Vienna. After the defeat of Austria by Napoleon in 1805, Tyrol was ceded to the Kingdom of Bavaria, becoming a part of the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806.
In 1809, the Tyroleans rose up against Bavarian rule and successfully defeated them three times. However, Tyrol remained under Bavarian control until the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars in 1814, when it was returned to the Habsburg Empire. After World War I, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye of 1919 divided Tyrol into two administrative parts: the State of Tyrol, which became part of Austria, and the Region of Trentino-Alto Adige, which was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.
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The state's borders
Tyrol is a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria. It is an Austrian federal state that comprises the Austrian part of the historical Princely County of Tyrol. The capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck, which is also a statutory city.
The state of Tyrol is divided into two parts: North Tyrol and East Tyrol. These two parts are separated by a 7-kilometre-wide strip of Salzburg State to the east of North Tyrol. The northern and larger North Tyrol shares its borders with the federal states of Salzburg in the east and Vorarlberg in the west. It also borders the German federal state of Bavaria to the north and the Italian province of South Tyrol and the Swiss canton of Graubünden to the south. The southeastern and smaller East Tyrol shares its borders with the federal state of Carinthia to the east and Italy's Province of Belluno (Veneto) to the south.
The County of Tyrol was an estate of the Holy Roman Empire established in about 1140. It was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire, and Austria-Hungary, until 1919. In 1919, after World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the southern part of the Austrian crown land of Tyrol was ceded to the Kingdom of Italy. The remaining northern and eastern parts of Tyrol became the state of Tyrol in the new rump Austrian republic.
Today, the territory of the historic County of Tyrol is divided between the Italian autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and the Austrian state of Tyrol. The two parts are now associated with the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino, which was founded in 1998 to strengthen cooperation between the separated countries.
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The capital, Innsbruck
The capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol, Innsbruck is the fifth-largest city in the country. The city is situated on the River Inn, at the junction with the Wipp Valley, which provides access to the Brenner Pass. Innsbruck's name, meaning "bridge over the Inn", is derived from the Latin "Oeni Pontum" or "Oeni Pons", referencing the important crossing point over the Inn river.
Innsbruck has a rich history, with traces of initial inhabitation dating back to the early Stone Age. The first mention of the city was in the 4th century when the Romans established the army station of Veldidena (now the urban district of Wilten) at Oenipons (Innsbruck). In 1180, the city was acquired by the Counts of Andechs, before passing into the hands of the Counts of Tyrol in 1248. Innsbruck became the capital of all Tyrol in 1429 and was a centre of European politics and culture in the 15th century, with Emperor Maximilian I residing in the city in the 1490s. The Hofkirche, which houses a funeral monument for Maximilian, is one of the main artistic monuments in Innsbruck.
Innsbruck has a strong sporting heritage, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, as well as the Winter Paralympics in 1984 and 1988. The city is renowned as an international winter sports centre, with skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing as popular activities in the region. Innsbruck also offers a range of summer activities, including hiking and climbing. The city has a well-developed local mobility network, making it easy to access these sporting activities by public transport.
Innsbruck is home to a variety of cultural attractions, including the Golden Roof, the Nordkette railway, and the Schloss Ambras, which houses the unique Renaissance collections of Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria. The city also boasts a thriving culinary scene, with bars and restaurants offering panoramic views and alpine-inspired cuisine.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tyrol is a federal state in Austria.
The capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck.
The state border between South and North Tyrol is more of a political border than a cultural border.
The highest mountain in the state of Tyrol is Großglockner, which is part of the Hohe Tauern range on the border with Carinthia.
Tyrol is a popular holiday destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Some popular activities include hiking, climbing, skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing.
