500 years - Hotel Schwarzer Adler Innsbruck

Andreas Hofer showed the French-Bavarian
troops how defensible the Tyroleans can be,
when they are wronged. In two battles at the legendary "Bergisl" the Tyroleans defeated the numerically superior enemy. The third battle, however, brought a final defeat.
The Tyrolean freedom fighter was brought to Mantua. When the firing squad missed the first time, Hofer's last words were:
"Give fire! Oh how badly you shoot!"

Tyrol's national hero

Chronicle - The eagle tells

The historic innkeeper's sign on the hotel façade - the double eagle of the House of Habsburg - is a reminder of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1867 to 1918).

1500

Hostel.

In place of the "Black Eagle" there is an inn. The Layning innkeeper provides for coachmen, wagoners and court servants. Next door are the stables of Emperor Maximilian.

1520

Patrician house.

The former industrial zone is transformed into a distinguished quarter of Tyrolean nobility: the "Schwarze Adler" is built as a patrician house - a residence for wealthy citizens. Kaspar von Wolkenstein is one of the owners.

1570 - 1580

Bronze figures.

Alexander Colin - sculptor at the Habsburg Court - spends many days at the Schwarzer Adler drinking 'several tankards of wine a day', as his bronze figures of the Maximilian Tomb at the Hofburg are not being cast - the casting of cannons for the army is more important!

1624

Host sign.

Under the ownership of the then mayor, George Issinger, the "Schwarze Adler" is awarded the innkeeper's shield for the first time.

1719

Crown Jewels.

Princess Clementina Sobieski - bride of the Irish King James III - forgets the crown jewels in the Black Eagle while fleeing to Italy.

1788

Capuchin monastery.

Joseph II - son of Empress Maria Theresa - has all the monasteries closed. The Black Eagle leases a large part of the adjacent Capuchin monastery.

1809

Andreas Hofer.

The booty that Andreas Hofer brings back after winning a battle in the Achental is stored in the court stables that are still here - as many as 60 wagons and 120 horses.

1918

Franz Ultsch.

Restaurateur Franz Ultsch acquires the Schwarzer Adler - various tenants run the business.

1953

Helmut Ultsch.

Helmut Ultsch inherits the Schwarzer Adler. After World War II and years of travel in France, he and his wife Margarethe renovate the badly battered business. The Schwarzer Adler becomes one of the best restaurants in Innsbruck.

1978

Werner Ultsch.

Werner Ultsch - ponier of organic cuisine - develops the "New Tyrolean Cuisine" and the "Austrian Natural Cuisine", which has a significant influence on today's health-conscious nutrition.

1978

Romantic Hotel.

The establishment is accepted into the exclusive community of "Romantik Hotels and Restaurants International".

1988

Harald Ultsch.

Harald Ultsch takes over the hotel management in the 4th generation after studying economics in Vienna. Marriage to Sonja-Sophie. The two expand the hotel in several construction stages and transform it into one of Innsbruck's leading hotels.

1987 - 1996

Birth.

Birth of the 3 children Florian, Fabian and Valentina.

1996

University District.

Once again, the district is transformed: instead of the Fennerkaserne barracks opposite, a university district is created with the University of Economics and the University of Applied Sciences. The Schwarze Adler gets more space and the guest garden in front of the hotel.

2003

Emperor's Ball.

Meeting of the European high nobility on the occasion of the Innsbruck Kaiserball, which is organized by Sonja Ultsch - further summer balls follow. The Schwarze Adler becomes an international meeting place for art, science, politics and society. Emperor's uncle Otto von Habsburg, Rudolf Schuster - President of Slovakia, Mohamad Reza Pahlavi - Shah of Persia, Xavier Solana - Foreign Minister of the EU, Crown Princess Masaki from Japan and many more.

2006

harry's home hotels.

Harald Ultsch opens the first "harry`s home hotel" in Graz, a pioneering hotel concept. With Florian Ultsch at his side, the hotel group grows in the following years with locations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

2009 - 2010

Vespa Party.

The Schwarze Adler - in particular the Pfiff Bar - becomes the home of the annual VESPA meeting in autumn. Organiser Sonja-Sophie Ultsch can welcome up to 1000 Vespa scooters from all over Europe - a charity event in aid of the Tyrolean Children's Cancer Aid.

2013

Design Hotel aDLERS.

The Black Eagle is getting a sister hotel in Innsbruck - the Design Hotel aDLERS - a new meeting place high above Innsbruck. In 2020 Fabian Ultsch will take over the management of the aDLERS.

2020

General renovation.

Another general renovation of the Schwarzer Adler: instead of the restaurant, the reception and lobby move into the time-honoured Stuben and the historic vaulted cellar accommodates breakfast. The hotel is enlarged by 10 rooms.