Duke Friedrich Street is one of the main streets in the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. It starts at the Innbrücke Bridge and runs eastwards towards the Old Town. At the famous Golden Roof House it makes a sharp right turn and heads southwards. It then crosses Marktgraben and Burggraben streets and flows smoothly into Maria Theresia Street, another popular tourist destination. It is only 300 metres long.
Duke Friedrich Street was known in the 12th century and took its present form in the 13th century. However, its appearance has changed over the centuries. The old wooden buildings were all destroyed by a major fire in the city at the junction of the XV and XVI centuries. Therefore, the oldest buildings on this street are burgher houses built no earlier than 1500. They are in an unusual architectural style, as their appearance mixes distinctive features of both late Gothic and early Renaissance, which supplanted the Gothic style. Subsequently, these houses were repeatedly extended by one storey, as there was not enough land to build new structures. The lower floors of these buildings were often converted into open arcaded galleries with painted interior walls.
For a long time this street was the main thoroughfare of the city and was called Hauptstrasse (Main Street). Subsequently, already in 1873, it was renamed in memory of the Duke of Austria Friedrich IV, also known as the Empty Pocket. He ruled Tyrol in the first half of the 15th century. It was he who moved the capital of the area from Meran to Innsbruck and greatly contributed to the development of trade and industry in the region.
In the past, jousting tournaments were held in the town square opposite the famous Golden Roofed House. During the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Games, the winners were awarded here. At Christmas, the famous fair with a huge Christmas tree is organised in this square.
In addition to the Golden Roof House, Duke Friedrich Street is home to the Old Town Hall with the city tower, the colourful Katzunghaus and Helblinghaus, and other popular tourist attractions.
