Schönbrunn Palace
The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most spectacular baroque palaces in Europe which served as summer residence of the former imperial family - the Habsburgs until the collapse of the Austria-Hungary in 1918. The palace and its magnificent garden today serve as museum and are completely open to the public.
The site of today’s Schönbrunn Palace and garden came in possession of the Habsburg dynasty in 1569 when Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II purchased the large floodplain of the Wien River together with a mansion called Katterburg built by former owner. The area served as a hunting and recreational ground of the imperial family for nearly a century. Eleonor Gonzaga, the second wife of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II has chosen the area as her widow’s residence after her husband’s death in 1637 and had a palace built next to the Katterburg mansion between 1638 and 1643. Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I hired architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to design a new palace. Leopold’s palace was reshaped in the style of Rococo era by Maria Theresa of Austria (1740-1780) who had chosen it as summer residence after her coronation. Maria Theresa also founded the Tiergarten - the oldest existing zoo in the world, erected an orangery, designed the Gloriette structure and the Roman Ruin (originally known as Ruin of Carthage) in the garden space known as the Great Parterre (“Great Ground Floor”). Beautiful garden of the Schönbrunn Palace also includes 32 statues representing deities and mythological heroes, a Palm House and botanical garden.
The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the top sights in Vienna and long lines for the entrance are not rare. Purchasing a ticket for tours in advance online may be a good idea. The palace inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996 also houses classical music events including the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and other classical geniuses which can be booked in advance as well. It is not far from the city center - about 5 kilometers (2 miles) but it is best to take a bus or underground train to get there faster.