Innsbruck's twin cities

As the residence city of Emperor Maximilian I, Innsbruck was already the heart of Europe in the 15th century. To this day, the city maintains relations with its seven partner cities in Europe and the USA. Friendships have grown over the years through a variety of civic encounters and projects, and the active participation of citizens has led to the continuous consolidation of twinning relations.

Aalborg (Denmark)

Traditional harbour city in the far north

The connection between the cities of Aalborg and Innsbruck has existed for decades. Even after the First World War, numerous Austrian children found respite and help in Denmark. the official town twinning was then concluded in 1982. Exchanges in the areas of sport and youth have always been particularly important. Every four years, Innsbruck takes part in the International Youth Games Aalborg, where young athletes from all of Aalborg's twin towns compete in various competitions.

Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Alois Lugger and Mayor Kaj Kjaer on 13 March 1982.

• Population: approx. 143,000
• Mayor: Lasse Frimand Jensen
• Contact: City of Aalborg, Boulevarden 13, 9000 Aalborg, DENMARK

Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)

The gateway to the Black Forest

Freiburg im Breisgau (Baden-Württemberg) is Innsbruck's oldest twin city. The historical connection between the two cities dates back to the time of the Habsburgs. in 1963, the partnership agreement was signed, which was to become the basis for a diverse and lively exchange between Freiburg and Innsbruck associations and institutions in the decades to come. The universities of Innsbruck and Freiburg also maintained active contact then as they do today.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Alois Lugger and Lord Mayor Dr. Eugen Keidel on May 3, 1963
• Population: approx. 231,000
• Lord Mayor: Martin Horn
• Contact: City of Freiburg, Rathausplatz 2-4, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, GERMANY

Grenoble (France)

Capital of the Dauphiné

Grenoble is the capital of the Département Isère and the Dauphiné. Having hosted the tenth Winter Olympics in 1968, the city has built up a reputation as a popular holiday destination. Not least because of this, there are many tourist similarities with Innsbruck. The city has been twinned with the French sports city since 1964. In addition to their shared Olympic heritage, Innsbruck and Grenoble are linked above all by their common endeavour to actively tackle the challenges of climate change in an Alpine environment.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Alois Lugger and Mayor Dr. Albert Michallon on 10 May 1964
• Population: approx. 158,000
• Mayor: Laurence Ruffin
• Contact: City of Grenoble, 11, bd Jean Pain, CS 91066, 38021 Grenoble cedex 1, FRANCE

Krakow (Poland)

The secret capital of Poland

Krakow is a traditional and popular university city, home to the second oldest university in Central Europe. The second largest city in Poland is often referred to as the country's secret cultural capital. The town twinning with Innsbruck was established in 1998 and has since been strengthened through various school partnerships, exchange programs and participation in markets and events.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Herwig van Staa and President Josef Lassota on August 19, 1998
• Population: approx. 780,000
• Mayor: Aleksander Miszalski
• Contact: City of Krakow, pl. Wszystkich Swietych 3-4, 31-004 Kraków, POLAND

New Orleans (USA)

The cradle of jazz

The official town twinning has existed since 1995. However, cooperation between the universities of the two cities dates back to the 1970s. The founding of the "University of New Orleans (UNO) - Summer School" in 1976 was an important step for the partnership between Innsbruck and New Orleans. Since then, students from New Orleans have been coming to Innsbruck every year in July and August.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Herwig van Staa and Mayor Jim Singleton on 4 July 1995
• Population: approx. 384,000
• Mayor: Helena Moreno
• Contact: City of New Orleans, Suite 2E04, 1300 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The European Jerusalem

Sarajevo is closely linked to Innsbruck as the venue of the 1984 Winter Olympics. During the Bosnian war and after the siege of Sarajevo, the city of Innsbruck endeavoured to provide support and aid for its twin city Sarajevo with numerous measures. To this day, the two cities are linked by a colourful and lively town twinning, with enriching cooperation and exchange programmes in the fields of sport and culture.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Alois Lugger and Mayor Ante Sucic on 27 October 1980
• Population: approx. 290,000
• Mayor: Samir Avdić
• Contact: City of Sarajevo, Ul. Hamdije Kreševljakovica 3, 71000 Sarajevo, BOSNIA I HERCEGOVINA

Tbilisi (Georgia)

Multicultural melting pot on the Caucasus

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the regaining of Georgia's independence, Tbilisi was supported by the city of Innsbruck, primarily through humanitarian aid. Today, Tbilisi is a vibrant and up-and-coming city with a diverse cultural offering and a popular tourist destination. One focus of the partnership with Tbilisi, which has existed since 1982, is the annual participation of students from Tbilisi in intensive German courses at the University of Innsbruck.

• Partnership concluded under Mayor DDr. Alois Lugger and the President of the Executive Committee Guram Gabunia on October 9, 1982
• Population: approx. 1,080,000
• Mayor: Kakha Kaladze
• Contact: City of Tbilisi, 7 J.Shartava st., Tbilisi 0160, GEORGIA

You can find more information about Innsbruck's partner cities here: INNSBRUCK'S PARTNER CITIES