Why the
Schonbrunn Palace
is special

This 1,441-room, former royal summer palace has magnificently decorated interiors, expansive gardens, and more.

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Top 2
Schonbrunn Palace
highlights

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Grand (40-room) tour

Among the chambers visited are the lavish, mainly rococo-style rooms of the Empress Maria Theresa (ruled 1740-1780).

You can also take the shorter and less expensive 22-room tour, but you would be missing some key spaces.

Gardens

They are extensive and incorporate both classical French and English layouts and landscaping styles. The stand-alone Botanical Garden and Palm House are captivating.

Other highlights include: Gloriette (graceful pavilion on a hill overlooking the palace, gardens, and Vienna) Orangerie (greenhouse) Tiergarten (zoo), Roman Ruin (artificial) Wagenburg (carriage museum) Schosstheatre (performance hall)

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More
Schonbrunn Palace
tips & insights

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Versailles wannabe

Emperor Leopold I (ruled 1658-1740) conceived Schonbrunn Palace and desired to have it outshine France's Versailles. His treasury lacked sufficient funds to fulfill his dream.

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Mozart and
Marie Antoinette

Maria Theresa heard the six-year-old Mozart play the piano in the Mirror Room. And her daughter, the guillotine-fated Marie Antoinette, was the Queen of France.

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Royal end

In 1918, two years after Emperor Franz Joseph's 68-year rule, the royal reign came to an abrupt halt. Schonbrunn Palace became state property.

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Name

Schonbrunn translates "beautiful spring" in English.

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Wonders of Austria - Home page

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Site map

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Austrian Tourism Board

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Photo by Iordachescu Nicu - CC BY 2.0

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