Schönbrunn Palace
The former summer residence of the Habsburgs shines with imperial splendour and a magnificent park. In the past, Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, Empress Elisabeth and other crowned heads stayed here.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The palace is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe and has been owned by the Habsburgs since 1569. In 1642 Eleonore von Gonzaga, the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II, had a pleasure palace built on the site and gave it the name "Schönbrunn".
After the siege by the Turks from the year 1696 on, it was completely redesigned by Maria Theresia in the time after 1743. Today, Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its magnificent interior and historical significance.
A fairytale palace for Emperor Franz Joseph and "Sissi
Emperor Franz Joseph was born in 1830 in Schönbrunn Palace, where he also spent the last years of his life. The palace has 1,441 rooms, 45 of which are open to the public. The interior of the palace is in the rococo style.
The most beautiful room is the Million Room, paneled with rosewood and containing precious miniatures from Persia and India. The Congress of Vienna met in the Great Gallery in 1814/15. The Chinese Round Cabinet was used by Maria Theresa for her secret conferences with the state chancellor Prince Kaunitz. Mozart was already making music in the Hall of Mirrors at Schönbrunn Palace at the age of six.
The magnificent baroque garden of the palace
The magnificent park of Schönbrunn Palace is open to visitors all year round without charge. You can enjoy a rich array of plants as well as impressive statues, monuments and fountains. The Gloriette building, which is well worth seeing, houses a café that invites you to feast on exquisite baked goods. Other highlights of the palace park are the Orangery Garden and the Imperial Carriage House.
