Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, the imperial palace of Schönbrunn is a highlight of any trip to Vienna. The fine interior is still originally furnished and has such an air of bygone grandeur that any visitor can vividly imagine how the last emperors lived here. Take at least half a day to explore the palace and its surrounding parks: it will be well worth it!

History - The whole site was acquired by the Habsburgs in 1569 under Maximilian II and looked quite different at that time. It served as a base for subsequent emperors to hunt in the surrounding woods. During the siege of Vienna by the Turks the palace and its adjacent gardens were devastated. As a consequence, in 1686 Emperor Leopold I decided to build a new palace. It was the acclaimed local architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach who planned the new complex and oversaw its construction. With the death of Emperor Joseph I, however, the construction works came to a halt due to financial reasons and a lack of interest. It was only under Empress Maria Theresia that they were continued.

Schönbrunn witnessed its golden time and assumed the appearance it still has today during the reign of Maria Theresia in the eighteenth century. The palace was continuously expanded at the time according to the plans of architect Nikolaus Pacassi. Schönbrunn became the focal point of Austria's political and social life and splendid festivities were held there. The last emperor who lived most of his live in Schönbrunn was Franz Joseph I (who reigned from 1848 to 1916). When the Habsburg empire collapsed with the end of World War I in 1918, Schönbrunn became the property of the Republic of Austria.

Palace and Parks - Schönbrunn palace can be quite a crowded place, since it is one of Austria's prime tourist attractions. If you can, try to avoid visiting it when tour-groups are herded through it like sheep. Inside the palace, you can choose between two tours, both including an audio guide: you can take the Imperial Tour (22 rooms) or the Grand Tour (40 rooms). Unless you are a devotee of regal residences and wish to compare each room of the palace of Versailles with those of Schönbrunn, taking the shorter Imperial Tour should be enough to satisfy your taste for grandeur. This tour gives you access to the palace's most important rooms, most notably the private chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Empress Elisabeth.

Access to the surrounding parks is free and you should at least climb the hill to the Gloriette pavilion: from there you have a nice view over the western quarters of Vienna and all of Schloss Schönbrunn. The Gloriette houses today a stylish café where you can relax and recover from a demanding sightseeing tour.
Also within the premises of the parks is the Tiergarten (Tier = animal + Garten = garden). After extensive renovation of the historical buildings, this zoo is today one of the finest in Europe, housing a large variety of local and exotic animals.

Check Schönbrunn's website for more information:
http://www.schoenbrunn.at

The Tiergarten has its own website:
http://www.zoovienna.at

Schloss Schönbrunn
13th district
Metro: U4 Schönbrunn
Tel: 81113239

Palace opening hours: April to June and September to October, daily 8.30 am to 5 pm.
July to August, daily 8.30 am to 7 pm.
October to March, daily 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Park opening hours: the park opens daily at 6 am and closes about one hour after sunset.

Zoo opening hours: February, daily 9 am to 5 pm.
March and October, daily 9 am to 5.30 pm.
April, daily 9 am to 6 pm.
May to September, daily 9 am to 6.30 pm.
November to January, daily 9 am to 4.30 pm.