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Schonbrunn Palace (Schönbrunn Schloss) was the summer residence of Austria's emperors. It was built by Emperor Maximilian II in the mid 16th century. The area around the palace was used as recreational grounds and hunting. In the mid 16th century the palace was redesigned by the court architect Nicolò Pacassi under the orders of Maria Theresa of Austria. The Schönbrunn Palace remained summer residence of the royal family until 1918 when Charles I of Austria abdicated.

The palace has 1,441 rooms but only 40 can be viewed by visitors. Schönbrunn Palace is a great example of the rococo design in Europe. The gold ornamentation, frescoes, ceilings, mirrors and chandeliers are all in abundance here. In the children's portrait room are paintings of Empress Maria Theresa and her daughters and Marie Antoinette, who became the Queen of France. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the age of 6 gave his first concert to the empress in the Mirror room.

The grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace are exceptionally beautiful. The gardens are a complex of French garden, English garden and botanical garden. The French garden features a maze and was planned by Jean Trehet in 1695. The great space between the palace and the top of the hill (Gloriette) is called Great Ground Floor (Great Parterre). The Gloriette was built in 1775 on the 60m high hill opposite the Schönbrunn Palace.

Where is Schönbrunn Palace: Schönbrunner Schloss-Strasse

How to get to Schönbrunn Palace: U-Bahn: U4/Schönbrunn

Opening Hours: April-June and Sept.-Oct., daily 8:30 AM-5 PM; July-Aug. daily 8:30 AM – 6 PM; Nov.-March, daily 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM


Schönbrunn Palace, Inner Court, Vienna


Schönbrunn Schloss, Inside, Vienna




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