Even in a splendid city like Vienna, Schonbrunn Palace stands out without much effort. This is not a surprising fact, considering that the summer palace of the Habsburg dynasty was designed to be a fearsome rival to the Palace of Versailles in Paris. Schonbrunn was instituted with the overwhelming arrogance of a thriving empire, conceived as a statement, as a trophy. It was no wonder the royal family had a weakness for this property, spending most of the year here.
And here is what to do if you spend one week in Vienna.
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, is included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage. It maintains a perfect balance between the landmark’s quality of the Viennese culture and vibrant tourist stops. Not everyone realizes the importance of this place and the possibilities it offers; the first thought that goes through your head is that you can visit in a few hours. Instead, you get to spend the whole day there and barely see it all. For those planning a trip to Austria or are already on their way to Vienna, missing a visit to Schonbrunn is not a good choice.
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Below are ten reasons that put Schonbrunn Palace in first place in the Vienna itinerary:
The Palace Tour of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria
The Habsburgs were very extravagant. A walk along its luxurious halls and rooms, watching the precious works of art that the palace holds and the history that this place inspires, are testimonies of this extravagance. Those passionate about history will especially like to see the rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (Sisi) lived and the chambers that still keep something of Maria Theresa’s unique character (she was the mother of Maria Antoinette).
There are furniture and original works of art in each room. In addition, numerous guest rooms and reception salons were opened for the public, and a wonderful gallery decorated in rococo style abounds in white stucco with white gold leaf ornaments. This tour is mandatory for effect given by the dazzling and deafening glow!
Schonbrunn Palace’s Park
Along with the imposing palace, its park is an excellent example of extravagance. Many birds and alleys take you in all directions, carrying you in the heart of the forest, besides carved trees and other natural elements. Despite the clutter, you always find a quiet place where you can rest under the foliage of the trees. While you relax in this beautiful oasis of greenery, you will surely enjoy looking at parents who play with their children in the labyrinth and specially arranged places in the park.
Fountains and other wondrous elements
Can you imagine a park that surrounds a palace that does not have at least one flashy and shiny element? These places are accessorized with Roman ruins and statues of Greek and Roman deities. Everything outside is abundant, like the inside. This park’s most elaborate specific element is the majestic Fountain of Neptune, located at the foot of the hill and facing the palace. It is a creation that depicts Neptun in his cart shells, flanked by nymphs and Thetis, the goddess of water. Around them are carved in white stone, strange and imposing mythological creatures.
Palm Greenhouse
It dates back to 1880 and is one of the last gardens of its kind in Europe. It was designed to create a favorable environment for growing plants and rare and exotic grasses worldwide. The greenhouse consists of 3 pavilions, each intended for a particular ecosystem: temperate, tropical, and cold climate.
Gloriette pavilion
Gloriette’s splendid architectural work lies on the hill like an elaborate tiara, offering an excellent view of the palace and its surroundings. Built in 1775, Gloriette was a resting place for the guests of the palace. Nowadays it has been reconditioned and here stands a cafe that allows visitors to enjoy the breathtaking view offered by this location.
The carriage ride
At Schonbrunn, it’s easy to become nostalgic and slip into dreaming, imagining what kind of life the Habsburgs must have had. And although that decadent lifestyle no longer exists, testimonials from those times were still kept. One of them is the horse-drawn carriage ride. There can be nothing more romantic than to sit comfortably in the cabriolet and admire the view in the noise made by the horses’ hooves on cobbled alleys, as Maria Theresa once did.
Museum of Carriages
This is not an objective to visit for everyone. But car enthusiasts and children will fall in love on the spot with this unconventional museum. Located in the old riding school premises, the Museum of Carriages (Wagenburg) displays a selection of imperial carts, carriages, and chaises. The exhibits range from beautifully ornate imperial carriages, miniature vehicles for young royal winds, to a car used to take the last emperor into exile in 1920.
The Palace Orchestra
The Orangery at Schonbrunn Palace was built to shelter oranges and lemons (and other plants) in the winter. But it soon became a popular venue for many celebrations at the palace. This is the place where Mozart’s musical works were performed. Today, the talented Palace orchestra interprets many pieces of the famous Austrian composer. If you like music, this is an event that you will surely love. Tickets run out in just a few hours, so the only way you can get one is to book it early.
The Palace Zoo
You might expect a small zoo, something created as a fad of royalty. Instead, the huge Tiergarten is a place where you could spend a few good hours. It was built in 1750 on the site of a smaller zoo; it aims to accommodate a large variety of animals – from polar bears and pandas to rhinos and tigers – all species being housed here according to their environment. Only in front of the panda bear one can spend even half an hour waiting for the so-called Fu Long to throw a “smile”.
A royal lunch
In the vicinity of the Schonbrunn Palace, there are many places where you can have a good meal, from the retailers in the Gloriette area to the cafes and bricks next to the palace, each of them offering the perfect antidote in case of exhaustion. Dinner must be served not very late to have the chance to dine at the palace, with the sunset in the back. If you don’t have much time, skip the table, stop at Court Bakery and make some strudel Viennese apple supplies.
These are the ten reasons for an excellent visit to Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, a place you will for in love with.
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