Right past the wide open massive iron gates, the vast courtyard is full of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of imperial splendors of the past.
In the times of Emperor Franz Joseph, who reigned from 1848 till 1916, on Mondays and Thursdays any subject of his empire could supposedly ask for an audience with the monarch in his opulent Walnut Room.
What did it feel like, I wonder, to approach the Schönbrunn Palace, crunching gravel underfoot and petition in hand?
Schönbrunn’s size must have must have impressed even the wealthiest of the emperor’s subjects, not to mention the simple city dwellers, if they were in fact ever allowed to see the Emperor.
On another hand, the ceremonial rooms and the palace gardens were open to the public as early as the 1770s, shortly after the beautiful gardens in the back of the palace were designed at the order of the Empress Maria Theresa, who ruled the empire from 1740 till 1780.
The famous Italian painter Bernardo Bellotto captured what the Schönbrunn parade courtyard might have looked like in those days in a painting that now hangs in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Nowadays, while most of the gardens are still open to the public at no charge, you need a ticket to see the palace, and you have three different options to visit, depending on how much of the palace you want to see and how much you are willing to spend to see it. (see the “Tickets” section near the end of the post.)
A Bit of History
The area where the Schönbrunn Palace has been built belonged to the Emperor Maximilian II way back in 1569. In those days, however, the emperor’s country estate was surrounded by woods and the emperor and his wife held many hunting parties at the grounds.
In 1612, while hunting in the area, Emperor Matthias came across Schöne Brunnen (‘fair spring’), from which the name Schönbrunn was coined and made official in 1642.
In 1683 Schönbrunn was plundered and destroyed by the Turks during the siege of Vienna. Emperor Leopold I decided to build here a magnificent residence for his son and successor, Joseph, and asked the court’s architect, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, to design it.
It was the Empress Maria Theresa, however, who transformed the former hunting lodge into the palace that it is today, with the help of Nikolaus Pacassi, who became the Court Architect.
Empress Maria Theresa also hired in the 1770s court architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg to design and lay out the gardens surrounding the palace on three sides.
After Maria Theresa’s death, the palace fell out of favor with the reigning family and by 1810s it started to fall into ruin.
In 1830 Franz Joseph, the future emperor, was born in the east wing of the Schönbrunn palace. He only spent his summers there as a boy and a youth, but when he ascended the throne in 1848, he made Schönbrunn his main residence, and spent most of his life there, until his death in 1916.
A year after Emperor Franz Joseph died, the last Austrian Emperor Karl I renounced the affairs of the government on November 11, 1918 in the Chinese Salon, and Austria became a republic.
In 1961, the Schönbrunn Palace was chosen as the location for the Vienna Summit, during which the U.S. President John F. Kennedy and the Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev first met face to face.
Currently, the Schönbrunn Palace is owned by the Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. founded in 1992. The company is solely owned by the Republic of Austria, but the preservation and restoration of the palace has to be financed by the company from its own funds, without depending on any state subsidies.
The Palace
Even the shortest tour, the Imperial Tour, will take you through 22 rooms, and includes the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth and a tour the Rococo state rooms of the palace.
The longer, Grand Tour, that includes the east (left) wing of the palace, includes 40 rooms.
Both tours include a free audio guide.
You can read more about each of the rooms, including those open only to groups on the “Tour of the Palace” page, which includes brief descriptions of each room, plus a photo or two.
Here are some highlights:
Great Gallery
The Great Gallery, over 130 feet (40 meters) long by 30 feet (10 meters) wide was the place for official balls, receptions and banquets. It was in this room where JFK and Nikita Khrushchev met in 1961.
Marie Antoinette Room
Marie Antoinette, most famous for being executed during the French Revolution, as the wife of Louis XVI of France, was born an Archduchess of Austria, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa.
The Marie Antoinette Room used to feature tapestry showing Marie Antoinette and her children.
During the reign of Franz Joseph, it was used as a family dining room. The painting on the wall shows Emperor Franz Joseph at 20 years of age.
Yellow Salon
The Yellow Salon was once the bedroom of Emperor Francis Stephen and Maria Theresa (until 1747). Later it was occupied by the Emperor´s sister, Charlotte of Lorraine, and was used by Emperor Franz I as his study.
Study and salon of Franz Karl
The Study and salon of Franz Karl was occupied by Archduke Franz Karl, the father of Emperor Franz Joseph. The portraits on the walls by Martin van Meytens are of Maria Theresa and her family members, including Maria Josepha of Bavaria.
The Gardens
The Gardens at Schönbrunn Palace were opened to the public around 1779 and quickly became a popular spot with visitors.
In accordance with the Baroque ideals, the palace and its grounds were designed to form a unit. The layout of the gardens, designed in the times of Empress Maria Theresa, has not changed a great deal, as can be seen when comparing a current photo with the painting by Bernardo Bellotto from the second half of the 18th century.
The Great Parterre, the wide flat area behind the palace is a formal, symmetrical garden.
Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain sits at the end of the Great Parterre, at the foot of the hill upon which stands the Gloriette building.
The fountain was commissioned by the Empress Maria Theresa and took four years to complete.
Gloriette
The Gloriette in Schönbrunn is one of the most famous gloriettes in the world. It looks very attractive from afar, and offers a beautiful view onto Vienna from the hill.
UNESCO site
The Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996 as “as one of the most impressive and well preserved Baroque ensembles of its kind in Europe.”
Orangery
A bit off to the east from the palace lies the Orangery, which, together with the one at Versailles, is one of the two largest Baroque orangeries in the world.
Emperor Joseph II was very fond of holding celebrations in the Orangery, and it was here during a winter festivity in 1786 that Mozart conducted his singspiel The Impresario.
Marionettentheater Schloss Schönbrunn
The Marionette Theater at the Schönbrunn Palace is a private theater featuring marionette shows like the one first shown at Schönbrunn in 1777. Some of its repertoire includes the Magic Flute, Hänsel and Gretel, and Aladdin.
Do go inside to see the little exhibit room with beautiful marionettes and displays explaining the process of creating the marionettes and the show.
Tickets
As I mentioned above, the Imperial Tour, includes 22 interiors, and covers the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph, Empress Elisabeth, and the state rooms in the central wing.
The Imperial Tour costs € 12,90 for adults, and € 9,50 for children. (about $15 US, and $11 respectively, as of October 2015).
The Grand Tour, which includes 40 rooms, costs € 15,90 ($18 US) for adults, and € 10,50 ($12 US) for children.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can get for € 21,00 ($24 US) for adults, and € 13,00 for children a Classic Pass that in addition to the Grand Tour will also include an entrance to the Crown Prince Garden, Maze & Labyrinth, Orangery Garden and Gloriette.
Schloss Schönbrunn Suite
If you have a spare € 1,398 (close to $1,600) you can also book the Schloss Schönbrunn Suite, with a salon, two bedrooms, a spacious drawing room, two modern bathrooms, and a view onto the Great Parterre and Gloriette.
Accommodations in Vienna
If you don’t see spending € 1,398 per night for Schloss Schönbrunn Suite, there are plenty of hotels, B&Bs, apartments, hostels, and other accommodations available in Vienna. Take your pick!
How to Get There
The Schönbrunn Palace is right next to U-Bahn (Underground): U4 (Green) line’s Schönbrunn station.
Did the kids like it?
I wish I could say that the kids loved visiting Schönbrunn as much as I did, but that would be a lie. I hope that next time we visit Vienna my daughter will be much more into splendor of the old empire days and we’ll be able to take our time visiting the rooms and admiring the beautiful interiors and furniture of this magnificent place.
Other posts about the Schönbrunn Palace
Even if you do have kids in tow and think the great interiors of the palace are not your thing, do take time to visit the gardens. If anything, it will be a great place for the kids to run around.
If you feel you’d like to read a bit more about the Schönbrunn Palace beyond my post and the official web site, before you make up your mind take a look at:
“Exploring Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace: A Visitor’s Guide” on PlanetWare
“Schönbrunn Palace in the heart of Vienna (Wien)” on Pasation Travellers
or the beautiful photos in “Schoenbrunn Palace Vienna” on Otts World.
We want to thank the Vienna Tourist Board and Schloss Schönbrunn for providing us with gratis entry during our visit. While we received free tickets, we did not receive additional compensation and the text, format, and opinions are our own, as always.
Invitation to the #WeekendWanderlust Link Up
#WeekendWanderlust, hosted by Chris & Heather from A Brit and a Southerner, Jessi & Tara from Outbound Adventurer, Ashley from A Southern Gypsy, Justin and Lauren from Justin Plus Lauren, and yours truly, is a collaborative effort to share travel blog posts, and to discuss all travel-related things.
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Wow! This palace is soo grand! I think my favorite room (that you showed) is the Great Gallery! I think the prices are pretty reasonable too!
Hannah recently posted…“Above the Waves Shrine” Naminoue-gu Shrine | Okinawa
Thank you for reading, Hannah! The Great Gallery is pretty impressive! It’s probably one of the biggest if not the biggest room in the palace.
So beautiful. I was there so long ago, and your photos bring back lots of memories. I don’t think I knew the history before, so thanks.
Rhonda Albom recently posted…Aviation Display Hall of MOTAT Brings NZ History Alive
Thank you for reading, Rhonda! I’m glad you liked the post, and I hope the memories of your visit there were good. I love looking through photos and remembering my visits to places all over the world. I hope to have some photos form New Zealand some time in the future too. 🙂
Great post! very informative! I’ve visited Wien several times and done the palace too. it’s quite impressive especially in the winter time when there’s big Christmas market in the courtyard. # weekend wanderlust
Tanja recently posted…Cool Oslo-part II (April 2014)
Thank you for reading, Tanja! Vienna and Schonbrunn must look great at Christmas time!
I remember being in Shonbrunn years ago, over Christmas: it was gorgeous but such a cold winter I hardly ventured out to the garden! I’d love to go back in the summer: the grounds look beautiful in your photos, I clearly missed a lot.
marta recently posted…On the trail of fairies and ghosts in Greenan maze, Ireland
Thank you for reading, Marta! I can believe Schonbrunn could be cold in the wintertime. I hope you’ll get to visit it in the summer some time.
Honestly gorgeous photos! I’d love to visit here someday!
Shobha George recently posted…Trishna, a Michelin-Starred Indian Restaurant in London
I hope you’ll get to see Vienna some day. It’s not that far from London, you know 🙂
When I backpacked through Europe I loved visiting castles – there is something about the grand opulence that was once somebody’s home.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…Photo Flashbacks: the Sydney Opera House
Thank you for reading, Sally! Yes, Europe’s castles are pretty amazing, and so full of history. I can’t imagine living in a place that big, though 🙂
Wow, you took us on a nice virtual tour of the palace… its vast and has so many historial references, it was nice exploring and reading about it, including historical facts about the palace… it is really very very well preserved(:
Andapo recently posted…Top 10 Essential Foods For Hair Growth
Thank you for reading, Andapo. I’m glad you liked the post.
Your pictures are stunning. It looks like an absolute beautiful place to get lost in. But, I can bet my kiddos would drive me cookoo in there. They aren’t at the ages where they appreciate that kind of stuff yet. I’d have to do a trip with my other mom friends I think 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!!
Mama Munchkin recently posted…Grand Wailea with Kids- a review
Thank you for reading, Mama Munchkin. Yes, the kids, even my daughter, didn’t really care too much for the splendor. I’ll have to wait a bit before taking her to a place like this again.
Thank you for such an informative post. I’m actually heading to Vienna in a few months so this post is really helpful. Can’t wait to visit the palace!
Jackie | The Globetrotting Teacher recently posted…11 Guaranteed Dos and Don’ts for Visiting NYC Like a Pro
Thank you for reading, Jackie! I’ll have a few more posts about Vienna coming up, so I hope you’ll check out my blog once more before your trip 🙂
I’ve never been to Vienna and would love to visit the palace when I do go. Can you imagine living in a palace with 1,441-rooms all together, you can get lost for days, weeks.
Carmen | Carmen’s Luxury Travel recently posted…24 Hours Guide to Rotterdam with Amex Platinum
Wow, I would love to stand on the Gloriette and capture those stunning colors of the garden. We love going to palaces when we visit Europe and hope to make it here someday.
Amanda & Brian – Eat_Work_Travel recently posted…Pros & Cons: Villa Las Tronas – Alghero, Sardinia
Jolanta, I see that you love palaces and their history and hope with you that Lydia will learn to share in your joy. Vi visited several King Ludwig palaces in Bavaria and did not mind- she even played a tour guide game with me when we visited the palace in Strasbourg. The tours in Bavaria are very efficient and short- that may be a way to go with young kids (however disappointing it is for adults:)
Victoria@celebratetheweekend recently posted…Family Weekend in Baden-Baden, Germany
I visited Schonbrunn over 20 years ago and still remember how amazed I was when I stepped out into the “backyard.” Thanks for reminding me what the interior looks like. Gorgeous. I like that it’s self-supporting and doesn’t rely on government subsidies.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Cruising on the Disney Dream: Youth Activities Clubs
I’ve never been to Shonbrunn (or Vienna) , but it reminds me of Sanssouci in Potsdam. The palaces of that age were magnificent and over the top. The royalty apparently loved to flaunt their opulent lifestyle.
Vicki Green recently posted…Cruising Glacier Bay Alaska
Beautiful! We love visiting opulent homes and castles in Europe. One of the reasons I want to go to Vienna is to visit Schonbrunn and stroll through the gardens. It’s amazing how extravagant the royals lived. I hope your daughter eventually likes visiting palaces as she gets older.
Mary {The World Is A Book} recently posted…13 Haunted Places Around San Diego
Sadly, our visit to the Schonbrunn a few years ago was ruined by too many tours. They came in tour bus after tour bus, moved in large groups crowding out every independent visitor in whatever room they occupied and moving en masse occupied so many rooms it was impossible to escape them. With the tour guides speaking at the top of their voices any quiet enjoyment of the palace atmosphere was out of the question.
I am glad you enjoyed your visit and it is lovely to see your photographs but I would never return.
Lyn aka TheTravellingLindfields recently posted…Cycling the BennettsTrail: Bright to Wandiligong, Victoria