What is the task of the city archive?
The Innsbruck City Archive documents the history of the city from its beginnings to the 21st century. The wealth of material, from photos and postcards to oil paintings, flyers, documents and files, is not just kept to collect dust. On the contrary: the documents are systematically catalogued and can be viewed by anyone interested - whether you are a professor of history or an amateur historian. In addition to the large collection of books, hundreds of journals and newspapers are also accessible and can be viewed within a few minutes. Large parts of the collection can be searched online:
Are you interested in contributions to the current exhibitions, the history of Innsbruck's aviation pioneers or treasures and curiosities of the city archive? Just sit back and enjoy an acoustic foray through the city's history with the City Archive's broadcasts.
Bomb damage in Innsbruck's old town: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße no. 25 can be seen with the city tower and the Golden Roof (not yet scaffolded)© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
Historical view of the village centre of Vill.© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
Historical view of three farmers on the Igler Alm with their cattle.© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
What can I find in the city archive?
In the City Archives you will find files, documents or photos - in short: (almost) everything about the history of the city of Innsbruck back to its beginnings in the 13th century. The records and documents produced by the city administration are stored here, as are personal collections and bequests. You can view all of this, provided that the relevant data protection guidelines are observed. The archive's holdings focus on the following areas:
- Photos and postcards
- Files of the city administration
- Plans and maps
- Posters and art prints
- Documents since the foundation of the town
- Prints until 1900
- Watercolors, oil paintings, drawings
- Leaflets and ordinances
- Company letterheads and advertising material
Historical view of Innsbruck in colour.© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
Historical view of Innsbruck in black and white.© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
How can I do research?
You can do your research in person in the reading room of the city archive or send enquiries to the historians at the city archive by email. If you visit in person, depending on the area of research, it may make sense to send an additional enquiry by email in advance so that the city archive can prepare material for you and you are able to conduct your research as time-efficiently as possible. Books or newspaper articles can also be digitised quickly using the book scanner.
The library database is available online, which you can use to search the city archive's holdings.
Do you need images for publications, calendars or similar?
The Innsbruck City Archive has an enormous stock of historical images. You are welcome to use the AUGIAS system to search in person in the reading room at any time. You are welcome to take the images with you on a USB stick, provided that data protection is observed. The staff at the city archive will also be happy to send you the images by email. If the images are published or used commercially, there is a flat fee per image. You can find the rates here:
The Kettenbrücke with Hungerburg railway, taken towards Saggen.© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
A historical poster. "Hungerburg-Bahn Innsbruck Tirol leads us into the legendary realm of Mrs Hitt." An exhibit in the exhibition City History No. 20.13© Stadtarchiv Innsbruck
Do you want to contribute to the city's memory?
Have you ever wondered whether that old box in the attic or cellar might have an interesting story to tell? Find out now! If you find old diaries, documents or objects that could be of historical interest, the staff at the town archive will be happy to scrutinise them for you.
Are there events in the city archive?
Guided tours, book presentations and other events take place in the city archive/city museum. The city walks, which take place annually on various themes, are particularly popular. Accompany the mobile city archive on exciting, touching, thrilling and impressive journeys into the past of the state capital.
Stadtarchiv findet Stadt - city walks
The popular series of events Stadtarchiv findet Stadt will once again take you on a journey into Innsbruck's exciting past.
Tickets are only available in advance from 3 March 2026 at the museum box office in Service Unit City Archive/City Museum for 7 euros.
- Olympia in the O-Village
With Alexa Lageder & Roman Strieder
28. March 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - Everything "roger" at the airport?
With Tanja Chraust
25. April 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - The queen of instruments
With Hannes Torggler
30. May 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - Animals in the Tivoli
With Helmuth Oehler
27. June 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - Bell and can founder in Hötting
With Aurelia Benedikt
26. September 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - Commemoration on the Inn promenade
With Heike Bablick & Karl-Heinz Machat
17. October 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available - Police in the Kapuzinergasse
With Manfred Dummer & Peter Hellensteiner
28. November 2026 - 10 am
Tickets available
Further information on the individual events can be found here:
Would you like to stay up to date on all our events? Send an e-mail with the subject "Newsletter registration" to post.stadtarchiv@innsbruck.gv.at and receive regular information about our events:
Is the city archive barrier-free?
Yes, at the entrance via Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 3 (at the end of the inner courtyard) there is ground-level access to the elevator, which provides barrier-free access to the City Archive and City Museum.
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Contact
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday:
9.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00
Friday:
9.00-13.00
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays closed.