Intro
Schönbrunn Palace is located in the 13th district of Vienna, which became part of the city in 1892. The district takes its name from the former village of Hietzing. The palace’s name has an intriguing origin. In the 17th century, Emperor Matthias often visited the area for hunting. During one of his expeditions around 1619, he stumbled upon a flowing artesian water spring. Captivated by the view, he exclaimed, “What a beautiful fountain!” In German, this translates to what a schön brunn.
A hunting lodge
In the early 14th century, the charming hill saw its first signs of development, initially associated with a mill. However, by the mid-16th century, Vienna’s mayor, Hermann Bayr, erected the Katterburg, the area’s first manor. Emperor Matthias’ father, Maximilian II, acquired the property in 1569 and constructed a hunting lodge, complete with a stocked pond and exotic birds like pheasants, turkeys, and peacocks. In the 17th century, Eleonora Gonzaga, widow of Ferdinand II (Matthias’ successor), transformed the hunting lodge into a residential residence. It was during this period that the name Schönbrunn first appeared in documents. One such record from 1642 documented the delivery of Welsh trees, including bitter oranges, which likely formed the initial orangery. Unfortunately, the castle, along with its outbuildings and gardens, fell victim to destruction during the second Turkish siege in 1683.
The summer residence for the imperial family
During Emperor Leopold I’s reign in 1687, plans were set in motion to rebuild the palace, with the project entrusted to Johann Bernhard Fischer. The initial design, even more captivating than the Palace of Versailles, proved too costly. The realized project, significantly smaller, rose from the ruins of the previous palace. By 1700, it was inhabitable, though completion occurred after Leopold I’s death in 1705, during the reign of Joseph I. Joseph I’s son, Charles VI, showed little interest in Schönbrunn, eventually bequeathing it to his daughter, Maria Theresa, in 1740. The empress chose this estate as the summer residence for the imperial family, a status it retained until 1918. During her time, the Palace Theater opened in 1747, hosting notable figures like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn.
The empress also expanded the gardens. In 1752, the menagerie, a courtly animal breeding facility, emerged—a precursor to the enchanting zoological garden that thrives to this day. In 1763, the esteemed Dutch gardener Adrian van Steckhoven was hired. He created a botanical garden in the area now occupied by the Palm House, and his planting of the first Asian fan palm in Vienna laid the foundation for the subsequent collection of exotic plants.
During the years 1772-1775, the most efficient building in the palace garden, known as the Glorietta, was designed by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg. Situated atop the castle hill at an elevation of 241 meters (791 ft) above sea level, this Neoclassical structure serves as both the crowning feature of the garden and a viewpoint. It stands as a monument to just war (leading to peace), taking the form of a triumphal arch. Inscribed on its front is the following: “Built in 1775 during the reign of Emperor Joseph II and Empress Maria Theresa.”
The Glorietta later served as a dining hall, banquet room, and breakfast room for Emperor Francis Joseph I. The dining hall remained in use until the end of the monarchy, and today it houses a café. Atop the structure, there is an observation terrace providing views of Vienna.
During the same period as the Glorietta, Roman ruins and an Obelisk fountain were also constructed according to Hohenberg’s plans. Above the Obelisk fountain, a water reservoir was built, which later transformed into the Schönbrunn Baths. In 1838, the future Emperor Francis Joseph I took his first swimming lessons there. The fountain portrays a grotto rising from the pool, inhabited by river deities. The ensemble is crowned by obelisks resting on four golden turtles. At the pinnacle sits an eagle perched on a golden sphere—a symbol of the emperor both in Rome and the German Empire, representing the ruler as an intermediary between heaven and earth. During the Baroque era, the obelisk itself was regarded as a symbol of the ruler’s unwavering resolve and reign.
19th and 20th century
After Maria Theresa’s death, Schönbrunn fell into disuse. During the early 19th century, when Vienna was under French occupation, Napoleon resided there. In 1805, a treaty was signed between Prussia and France, and in 1809, another treaty was concluded between France and Austria. The Austrian Empire lost the War of the Fifth Coalition against France, resulting in the cession of Carniola, Trieste, Gorizia, Villach, and the Croatian coast (Hungarian Dalmatia). Consequently, Austria lost its access to the sea.
In 1832, the only legitimate son of Napoleon, Francis, Prince of Reichstadt, known as the “Eaglet,” passed away in the palace. His mother was Napoleon’s second wife, Maria Louisa, an Austrian archduchess from the Habsburg family and the daughter of Emperor Francis II.
In 1830, Francis Joseph I was born at Schönbrunn Palace. At the age of 18, he was proclaimed emperor. Francis Joseph I used the palace as his summer residence and for many years traveled from there to work at 🔗 Hofburg, where he resided during the winter. It was also at Schönbrunn that he passed away in 1916.
In 1919, based on Habsburg law, the palace grounds, which were part of the imperial estate, came under the administration of the republican state. From 1920 onward, it fell under the control of the federal government. The state provided housing in the castle for high-ranking politicians and war veterans. In 1922, the palace housed 70 former court horses because the former court stables had been transformed into the Messepalast—a trade fair palace where exhibitions and fairs were held. By the spring of 1923, the remaining collection of vehicles from the imperial fleet was already housed in the former Winter Riding School of Schönbrunn, which has been known as the Wagenburg since then. Adolf Hitler was not accommodated in the palace because he despised “imperial extravagance”.
At the end of the war, an anti-aircraft position was located at the Gloriette, and in 1945, Allied bombings damaged parts of it, including the main wing. During the occupation from September 1945, the palace served as the headquarters for the British occupying forces, whose Vienna sector covered the neighboring districts of 12 and 13. This prevented looting and facilitated the rapid repair of the worst damage. In 1948, part of the castle was once again open for visitors.
In 1996, both the castle and the park were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Visit
Schönbrunn Palace boasts 1,441 rooms of varying sizes. While most of the castle functions as a museum, the remaining rooms have been divided into apartments and are available for rent. The museum interiors served not only as living quarters for the imperial family but also as spaces for grand representation. Architectural styles span from Baroque to Rococo, Biedermeier, and Wilhelminian, yet collectively create a harmonious ensemble.
On the western wing’s first floor, you’ll find 19th-century residential rooms once occupied by Emperor Francis Joseph I and his wife, Elisabeth. The central part houses representational chambers, while the eastern wing features apartments associated with Maria Theresa. To truly appreciate the beauty of these interiors, consider exploring the magnificent online tour called 🌐 Imperial Impressions.
The palace and its park form an inseparable ensemble. Around 1779, Emperor Joseph II opened the park to visitors, much to the chagrin of the court nobility. Since then, it has become an important recreational area for the people of Vienna .
Planner
Access to Schönbrunn Palace:
- By Subway (Metro):
- Take the U4 line to the Schönbrunn station.
- By Tram:
- Trams 10 or 60 stop at Schloss Schönbrunn.
- By Bus:
- Bus 10A also stops at Schloss Schönbrunn.
Ticket Options:
- Tickets can be purchased in various combinations, including packages with the Zoo and the Palm House. It’s advisable to buy tickets 🌐 on-line.
- Keep in mind that entry to the palace is based on a specific time slot, and unused slots expire.
Virtual Tours:
- You can explore each route through a 🌐 virtual tour.
- Consider downloading a smartphone 🌐 app that provides a map, allows ticket purchases, and helps you navigate the area.
Download the 🌐 Schoenbrunn Map


