Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Florin Chelaru

The complex was built in the early 11th century, and was known also as Amras or Omras. Thus, long before the nearby Innsbruck became a city, Ambras Castle was known as a centre of the region. But the original castle has been totally destroyed in 1133.

Some parts of the castle were repaired and later, in 1580, was rebuilt into Renaissance chateau by Prince Ferdinand.

Photo by khm.at

There is a minibus running from the city centre to the castle every half an hour. In the Ambras castle you can see the collection of armor and weapons of Ferdinand II. In the summer months, the castle holds known, very popular Festival of Early Music. Management of the castle emphasis on attracting families with children. Countless surveys made especially for children with the first-class programs will show and describe a world of knights to all young visitors. In the courtyard, the adjacent park or in the surrounding forests you can find lots of benches for rest. All the trails around are accessible also with prams. There is a number of tame squirrels in the park which can be a special attraction for children.

The castle is opened daily from 10am to 5pm and the basic adult ticket costs €10. For further information visit https://www.khm.at/en/plan-your-visit/ambras-castle/

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The islands are created by the limestone, which is in many places furrowed by thousands of cracks. Originally, scientists believed that the islands are remnants of glacial activity, but now it is believed they were modeled by a strong erosion. Today they are islands without any trees.

On the islands the main spoken language is Irish and local people still care about their traditions and customs. People living here symbolize the kind of relentless self-sufficiency. Since the Aran Islands were always isolated from the mainland by Atlantic Ocean, the life here was rather primitive until the 18th century. The most important source of livelihood of local people was fishing and sheep farming. With the influx of tourists the life here began to change rapidly. There is still a strong tradition of the original way of life, which you will not find anywhere else in Ireland. This is the only place where you can enjoy the true atmosphere of Irish pubs, art and rural.

The biggest of Aran Islands is Inishmore with its length of 14.4 km. It has a natural small port Kilronan. The port is a great attraction for tourists, because in addition to the spectacular view of all sorts of boats it also offers a small marketplace where you can buy some of the typical fishing sweaters that are knit on the island. Here you can get by a regular ferry from Rossaveal – a village 20km far from Galway City. You can move through the island by a minibus, or you can hire a pony and trap. But if you want to experience the true atmosphere of the island and its rugged landscape, go to explore it on foot or by bike.

The most visited place is undoubtedly Dunaengus – the port of King Aengus. You can see there a huge semicircular stone fortress, which was built probably more than 2000 years ago. This place is usually overcrowded with tourists. If you prefer a quieter place then you should go to Dún Dúchathair, which is a black fort situated about 3 km from Dunaengus. On the island of Inishmore, there’s a lot of other places that are worth seeing – churches, fortresses and ancient buildings that have a mysterious spirit and flair.

Cheerful and relaxed atmosphere is on the Isle of Inisheer, which is slightly smaller than Inishmore. You can walk through it within an hour. You will feel like on a journey into prehistory and into the farthest corners of the Earth. The life here runs like a hundred years ago. Here you can learn what the real Ireland is about.

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