The Golden Roof as a Tyrolean lieu de mémoire

Abstract

This paper deals with the idea of the “Golden Roof” (German: Goldenes Dachl) in Innsbruck as a lieu de mémoire (memory space) of Tyrolean history, as defined by the French historian Pierre Nora. The main question is what circumstance turned the Golden Roof into a lieu de mémoire. The Golden Roof is a landmark of the city of Innsbruck which is primarily known for its opulent appearance. It was constructed on the order of emperor Maximilian I in the year 1500. The building is filled with riddles and hidden meanings, in the form of a great number of ornaments, reliefs and paintings. The history of the building and the most important parts of its symbolism are considered in this paper. Multiple layers of associations have turned the Golden Roof into a lieu de mémoire, as it was never a site of historically significant events. Three of these aspects are presented in this paper: the first aspect is the importance and history of the Golden Roof as a landmark of the city of Innsbruck, which has only been the case since the 19^th century. The second aspect is the importance of the Golden Roof in the media and remembrance policy of emperor Maximilian I, in comparison with other important sites related to Maximilian. The third aspect is the connection of the Golden Roof with the history of mining in Tyrol. This association is primarily formed through the wealth and political importance which mining brought to Tyrol in early modern times.