Arc de Triomphe one of the most famous sights of Innsbruck. The arch is located on the southern end of the street of Maria Theresa, in the place where once was located the southern gate of the city.

The triumphal arch was built in 1765 on the occasion of the marriage of Archduke Leopold (second son of the Empress Maria Theresa) to the Spanish Princess Maria. During the wedding ceremony husband died unexpectedly Empress – Franz Stephan. On the South side of the arch shows the motifs dedicated to the wedding of a young couple, and on the North side symbolizes sorrow for the deceased Emperor.

In those days in many cities erected a triumphal arch on the occasion of various significant events. Most of the arches were built of wood, however, the arch in Innsbruck was built of stones. Moreover, the stones were used for the second time – they were taken from the ruined gates before on this very spot. Because of this, the arc de Triomphe in Innsbruck has been preserved.

The construction was supervised by architect Konstantin Walter, stucco decoration was engaged Johann Baptist Hagenauer. V year moldings were replaced with marble copies made by Balthasar Ferdinand Moll.

The reliefs of the arch show the symbols of the Habsburg monarchy, as well as people associated with the event of marriage of the Archduke: the Austrian Archduke, the profile of the newlyweds, the Empress Maria Theresa with her husband with a Laurel wreath, the portrait of the Duchess Charlotte of Lorraine and Duke Charles of Lorraine.

The triumphal arch is the great symbol of Innsbruck.