Hall in Tirol-What to do

A ten-minute train ride from Innsbruck, Hall is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful medieval cities in all of Tirol. And rightly so! Quiet, narrow cobblestone lanes weave around historic buildings painted in colorful pastels and enclosing you in what feels like an archaic maze. You wander the streets finding cute shops tucked around every corner, while the alps in the distance peak through each opening of light between neighboring buildings. The place is magical, for sure. 

If you're staying in Innsbruck and decided to visit Hall, you made a good choice! Old Town is relatively small and can be explored quickly, but it's definitely worth checking out. From Innsbruck, you can take the train to Hall for about 7 Euro roundtrip. However, if you buy the Innsbruck card, you can take a bus for free. Make sure to ask where to pick up the bus when you buy your card. There are a few different stops so one may be easier for you than another. If you arrive by train, head straight out of the station and turn right once on the main road. Old Town is only about a 10 minute walk and will be on your left-hand side. You'll spot Restaurant Augustiner Brau Keller on the main street- take the next left up a cobblestone street and it will lead you right into Old Town. 

Once you get up the narrow little hill, it opens up into Pfarrplatz, the main square. St. Nikolaus Church is the main attraction here and it's magnificent. This is the center of Old Town and really a great spot to take a step back and take it all in. Rathaus Cafe sits across from the church right in the square and is a great place to stop, have a cappuccino and people watch. If you're past caffeinated beverages at this point in your day, go straight for the Aperol Spritz. Like I mentioned before, Hall is a very small place to explore, so take your time enjoying your surroundings and don't put pressure on yourself to rush. Here are a few suggestions for the rest of your day once you're ready to start exploring:

Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus

Located right in Pfarrplatz, you can't miss Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus. Even from outside the square, the steeple surpasses its neighboring structures and demands your attention. Inside isn't much different. Originally constructed in the 13th century, the church underwent a restoration when affected by an earthquake in the 17th century. Although the restoration was done in Baroque style, the church uniquely houses a collection of skulls and bones from minor saints. Known as Waldaufkapelle, the skulls sit upon cushions and wear headdresses. It's interesting, to say the least.

Munze Hall

Back in the day, Hall was more of a city with a booming economy than the quiet village it is today. Salt production was continuing to grow with the population and the royal mint was moved to Hall in the 15th century. Today, you can visit the mint museum and tower, locally known as the Munze Hall. I suggest buying the combined mint museum and tower ticket, which is 11.50 Euros. If you have an Innsbruck card, the entrance is free! The museum offers detailed information on the embossing process and houses a replica of the machinery used in earlier times. Audio guides are provided and there is even a film played in the museum, covering the history of the Taler (the coin produced and distributed). Don't forget to head up the spiral staircase of the tower at the end of your tour to overlook the village and get some great photos! It's really cool seeing the town from a different perspective! If you'd prefer to skip over the museum, you can always just buy a ticket to the tower for 5.50 Euros. And if the tower doesn't interest you, but you're all about the museum, entrance cost is 8.50 Euros.

St Magdalen's chapel

Dating back to the 1300s, St. Magdalen's Chapel displays a Romanesque style and was originally used as a cemetery chapel. Today, it is dedicated to fallen soldiers. You can find the chapel alongside St. Nikolaus Church and access it through the entranceway from Pfarrplatz or a nondescript covered stairway from the narrow cobbled lane leading up to the main square. The chapel is a quiet spot for admiring frescoes and stained glass or simply a place for reflection.

Jesuitenkirche

The Jesuitenkirche was founded in 1571 and was originally constructed for the Order of the Jesuits. It has since undergone a few renovations, with it's most recent leaving the church an example of the Baroque style. The crisp white walls contrast the gold accents beautifully, making the lavish trim really pop. Also elaborately decorated is the high altar, which contains an altarpiece from 1609. Although the inside is beautiful, don't forget to check out the courtyard- equally gorgeous!

Bergbau museum mining museum

Considering that Hall has a history rich in mining, you can only expect there would be a whole museum dedicated to this. The Bergbau Mining Museum sits right in Old Town and is super informative in the mining process and procedures. It also contains the tools that would have been used hundreds of years ago. In addition to giving visitors a well rounded understanding of what a life of mining entailed, a replica of the Halltal Valley Salt Mine allows visitors to jump bavck in time and experience it for themselves.