Maria Theresia Street is one of the most important streets in the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. It begins at the intersection of Marktgraben and Burggraben Streets, continuing the older Duke Friedrich Street through the Old Town. It itself ends with the Triumphal Arch. The total length of the street does not exceed 500 metres.
Maria Theresia Street appeared a century after the foundation of Innsbruck - at the end of the 13th century. At that time, the city went beyond the boundaries of its historic centre (the Old Town) and also occupied the land belonging to the Wilten Monastery two kilometres away. This part became known as the New Town. Earlier on the site of the present-day Triumphal Arch stood the second city gate, defining the border between Innsbruck and Wilten.
During the Middle Ages, the New Town was usually home to craftsmen's workshops and later to the first manufactories. These buildings were made mostly of wood and therefore they were all almost completely destroyed in the fire of 1620. Among the old buildings that have survived from that era, only the Church of the Holy Spirit, built in the early fourteenth century, can be mentioned. However, in 1700 it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. At the same time - in the XVII-XVIII centuries - more and more luxurious mansions and palaces were built on Maria Theresia Street in the now dominant Baroque and Rococo styles.
In 1897, the city administration moved to Maria Theresia Street, and in 1905 the city tram line was built. Nowadays, this street is particularly popular with tourists. Firstly, there are many old sights preserved here, such as the Old Landhaus, the Column of St. Anne, the monastery of St. Joseph of the XVI century and others. And secondly, this street is home to several modern shopping centres, arcades and galleries where you can not only enjoy shopping, but also have a delicious lunch.
