Schönbrunn palace. Schönbrunn palace and its beautiful park

Schönbrunn Palace is located within the city of Vienna on the territory of the palace and park complex of the same name. The Habsburgs, and especially Maria Theresia, were very fond of Schönbrunn, they lived here with pleasure in the summer.

On a guided tour of the palace, you will learn about the many historical events that the walls remember. For example, at the end of 1762, little Mozart gave one of his first concerts in the Hall of Mirrors. In the Blue Chinese Living Room, Emperor Charles I resigned as head of state at the end of World War I. The meeting between Khrushchev and Kennedy also took place in Schönbrunn, after which the Cold War began to decline. So, the palace is not only beautiful, but also interesting from a historical point of view.

Schönbrunn is a huge park, on the territory of which are located:
- Summer Palace of the Habsburg dynasty
- The oldest European zoo
- Glorietta - a colonnade in the style of classicism, built to complete the composition of Schönbrunn and as a summer area for receptions and breakfast. There is now a cafe in Glorietta. In addition, it is also an excellent observation deck.
- Wonderful park
- Museum of carriages
- Greenhouse
- Labyrinth
- Fountain of Neptune

What to see in Schönbrunn Palace

I recommend going to Schönbrunn by metro on your own (I'll tell you how to get there below), take an audio guide in Russian and walk through the royal halls and chambers as much as your heart desires. And she will most likely wish all your free time, because the palace really amazes with its interior decoration, all rooms are very different, some even shocking with their luxury. On the outside, Schönbrunn looks rather modest, but inside ...
Unfortunately, you cannot take pictures inside the palace, so I give a link to the photo gallery on the official website.

Other popular rooms included in the excursion program include the breakfast room, rooms with a balcony, Bonaparte's rooms, the Chinese-style oval study, Vieux-Laque rooms, porcelain and diamond rooms, Franz Karl's workroom and salon, and many other rooms, in which the emperors spent a significant part of their lives.

They began to build the palace on lands that were bought from the monks. Emperor Maximilian II - Emperor of the Roman Empire, decided to build the estate as a summer residence in the 16th century and equipped it with a garden, a hunting lodge and even a menagerie. True, all this after almost 100 years was destroyed during the siege of Vienna by the Turks, but was restored again at the behest of Leopold the First. A new palace was built on the site of the residence.

The palace got its name Schönbrunn, or "beautiful spring" during the Habsburg dynasty, when one of the representatives of the royal family stumbled upon the source while hunting. Later, the "wonderful spring" began to simply play the role of the main artery, which was responsible for the supply of water to the summer palace. The audio guide will tell you that it was started by Empress Eleanor, who hired the famous architect Fischer von Erlach for this. He made every effort to erect a majestic structure, which outwardly almost nothing outstanding, except for its size, does not attract attention, but inside the architects have surpassed themselves.

The Garsburg dynasty is known as one of the strongest dynasties in Austria since the 13th century. The masculine gender of the family ended in Emperor Maximilian, although he had a son, Philip, who received the surname Burgundy on the maternal side, and continued his lineage under this surname.

During the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, the palace consisted of 1,441 rooms, which could comfortably accommodate more than one and a half thousand people. Such wealth is even difficult to imagine now. The palace hosted numerous official events, ceremonies and meetings. Of course, not all rooms are open for visiting, but, nevertheless, I recommend laying at least 2.5 hours for visiting the palace. In less time, you will hardly be able to listen to the audio guide's story in most of the rooms you like.

Many of the rooms available for visiting, and indeed the history of the palace, are inextricably linked with the personalities of Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph - prominent representatives of the Habsburg dynasty, who played a huge role in the history of Europe in the 18th century.

Maria Theresa went down in history as the only female monarch to hold the title of "king". She ascended the throne after the death of her father and successfully ruled the Empire for 40 years, during which she conducted successful wars, reforms in the state and even earned the unspoken nickname "mother-in-law of Europe." Maria Theresia gave birth to 16 children, 10 of whom did not die at an early age. The "king" married and married children solely taking into account geopolitical goals, therefore, and received such a nickname.
The husband of Marie Theresa, Emperor Franz Stephen, put the reign in the hands of his empress and calmly dealt with the financial side of the Habsburg house and science. And what if a woman wants, then why not do what she loves?

Schönbrunn became the main secular center of the Habsburg Empire. The first imperial theater and the very first zoo in Europe were opened here, which can be visited to this day.

The Empress of Austria, Elizabeth of Bavaria, had her middle name in a diminutive form - Sissi. She was revered as a beautiful woman, and she herself devoted an excessive amount of time to her appearance. The Empress adhered to proper nutrition and watched her figure, did not focus on her makeup, but on her natural beauty. Especially a lot of time was devoted to caring for gorgeous long hair, and her personal hairdresser received an income that was equal to the remuneration of a professor at the university. One day in 3 weeks, Sissy devoted her brown hair, and all her perfumed shampoos necessarily included cognac and raw eggs, which many fashionistas still copy today, using this mixture on their hair.

Tickets and how to get there

Please note that there are two types of tickets offered to all tourists when visiting the palace. If you have little time for excursions, it is better to choose a ticket for viewing twenty rooms. But if you specially came to Vienna to see Schönbrunn thoroughly, then immediately buy a ticket for a tour of the forty rooms of the palace, since you need to spend at least half a day here. This route is called the "Grand Tour".

The most delicious things in the palace are located along this route, for example, the famous peace of Empress Maria Theresa with numerous secrets and secret rooms. Don't be surprised when you are given an audio guide, which is included with every ticket for convenience. The Russian-language version is also available, as hundreds of thousands of tourists from the CIS countries visit the capital of Austria every year.

Based on our own experience, we advise you to buy tickets for excursions to the palace on the official website http://www.schoenbrunn.at/ so as not to languish in long queues at the ticket offices during your trip, which is especially convenient, because the ticket was bought in advance, and even and at a discount.

Contacts

Contact information: Schonbrunner, Schlosstrasse 13
How to get to Schönbrunn Palace: You can get to the palace using the line no. U4 of the Vienna underground, getting to the station "Schonbrunn", or by surface transport: tram (numbers 10, 58, 60) and bus (15A, 51A, 56B, 58B, 156B ).

I liked this palace and the whole complex as a whole, perhaps most of all in Vienna. I wish you a pleasant stay in the capital of Austria - in the chic Schönbrunn Palace!

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Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna consists of almost one and a half thousand rooms. One hundred and ninety of them do not belong to the museum, they are rented by private individuals. 40 rooms of the castle are open for visiting. Of greatest interest are state numbers, which amaze the imagination with their decoration. Many of them are equipped with exquisite moldings and original decorative elements made in the Rococo style. The Room of the Millions is the richest decorated.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna a little history

Once in the palace, I want to study all its decorative elements for a long time, imagining the divine, luxurious life that reigned in it during the time of the Habsburgs, who once made the history of Austria in these halls. In 1760, the wedding of Joseph II and I. Parma took place in this palace. From 1805 to 1806 Schönbrunn Palace was Napoleon's headquarters. In 1814-1815, the Vienna Congress danced in the luxurious halls of this palace. in Vienna is inextricably linked with the history of the reign of the Austrian Kaisers. Franz Joseph I was born and died at Schönbrunn Castle, and Charles I abdicated the crown in this castle. After completing your exploration of the palace rooms, visit the Wagenburg Carriage and Carriage Museum. It houses a unique collection of more than sixty carriages. It also displays equipment and clothing used for riding, paintings of carriages, as well as horses, coachman liveries and other interesting exhibits, some of which date back to the seventeenth century!

Talking about the Schönbrunn Palace, it is necessary to mention the magnificent Imperial Garden. The castle gardens are divided into several parts. For example, there is a French garden in which hedges form an intricate maze. Among the most interesting sights of the Schönbrunn Garden is the marble summer house, the Gloriett Pavilion. It should be noted that this is a huge asset of the country, which every Austrian is proud of.

Also in the park is one of the oldest zoos in the world, which was founded in 1752. Located in the center of the park, the pavilion has an octagonal shape and is decorated with lush ceiling paintings. Today the zoo contains about four and a half thousand animals.

On the left side of the main gate of the castle, as well as, directly in the palace itself, there are ticket offices. They sell seven types of entrance tickets, as well as tickets to selected exhibitions. Each ticket to the Schönbrunn Palace has an electronic barcode, it is used quite often, designed to record the time of the visitor's entrance to the palace. The pass system of the palace is quite strict.

Schönbrunn Palace: ticket prices and types:

Imperial Tour. For adults - 10.5 €, for children - 7.5 €, for students - 9.5 €. Such a ticket to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna allows you to visit with an audio guide its 22 ceremonial, as well as private chambers that belonged to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. The total duration of the excursion is 30-40 minutes.

Grand Tour. For adults - 13.5 €, for children - 9.5 €, for students - 12.2 €. This ticket allows audioguide to visit forty rooms of the palace, including the chambers of Elisabeth and Franz Josef, as well as the rooms of the eighteenth century occupied by Maria Theresa. The duration of the inspection is one hour.

Classic Pass. For adults - 16.5 €, for children - 11 €, for students - 14.9 €. You can purchase a family version of this ticket for two adults and three children at a cost of € 36. It allows you to take a Grand Tour, visit the garden of Prince Rudolph, the Gloriette Terrace, as well as the park's Labyrinth. Such a ticket is valid on the day of issue from 31.03 to 4.11. By purchasing it, you can save about thirty percent compared to the cost of individual tickets for the same objects.

Classic Pass Plus. Similar to the Classic Pass, but also allows you to visit the Strudel Show, which takes place every hour in the palace bakery, after which viewers have the opportunity to taste the strudel for free.

Gold Pass. For adults - 39.9 €, for children - 19 €, with the Vienna Card with a discount - 32.5 €. Acts similarly to the Classic Pass Plus, in addition to allowing skip-the-line entry to the palace. Lets you visit the Grand Tour, Prince Rudolph's Garden, Labyrinth, Gloriette Terrace, Strudel Show, Indoor Desert Landscape, Schönbrunn Zoo, Carriage Museum and Orangery.

Sissi Ticket. For adults - 23.5 €, for children - 14 €, according to the Vienna Card, as well as for students - 21.5 €. Valid for one year from the date of issue. Allows you to explore the Schönbrunn Palace during the Grand Tour, located at Andreasgasse, 7 Imperial Furniture Museum, as well as the Silver Chamber, Sissi Museum, Imperial Apartments located in the Hofburg.

Children's Museum. For adults - 7 €, for children - 5.5 €, family - for two adults and up to three children - 19.5 €, for 1 adult and up to three children - 12.5 €. This ticket only allows you to enter the Children's Museum located in the palace, with a guided tour of the lives of the emperors' children. Opening hours - 10-19 hours, you can enter no later than 16 hours.

Individual discounted ticket prices (adult-student-child):
From Rudolph or Gloriette Garden 2.5-2.2-1.9 €,
In the Labyrinth 3.5-3-2.2 €.

A visit to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna may take a whole day if you are a lover of museums and leisurely walks in a royal style, as well as if you want to visit the zoo.

You can go to this place just for the sake of the palace, in order to be noted on a memorable photo on one of the main attractions of Vienna, but if you have time, it is worth taking a walk in the adjacent park, where kings and emperors once walked slowly, although this can be said about the whole of Vienna. it is all imperially large-scale.

You can visit this place both absolutely free of charge, and leaving a fairly large amount of money here. The cheapest ticket to the museum costs 13.3 €, and a ticket for a full full-pass access to all corners of the park is 55.5 €, including the Zoo, and this is without taking into account the cafe, because stay here with a full-pass ticket until the evening. In the evening, there is another reason to spend money - to attend a concert in the palace for 69 €.

I used the most budgetary option, i.e. free, which I will discuss below.

How to get to Schönbrunn Palace

One of the most distant sights of Vienna from the center (more than 5 km), but this does not affect the difficulty of getting there. Almost at the entrance to the palace there is a metro station of the same name. Schönbrunn(green line of metro U4). If the metro for some reason does not suit or is closed, then the park can be reached by trams 10, 58, 60 and buses 10A, 51A, 56A, 56B, 58A.

You cannot get directly from the historic center without transfers, but this U4 metro line has intersections with all other metro lines, so you have to make a maximum of 1 change and spend 2.2 € for a one-way ticket.

Schönbrunn Metro Station

To plan a route in Vienna, it is very convenient to use an interactive map of the city's public transport.

• Schönbrunn Palace Address: Schönbrunner Schlossstraße, 1130 Wien or Schönbrunn metro station.

Schönbrunn Park and Palace in Vienna

I got to the palace as described above by metro. It was the most convenient and quickest way to get here, only I didn't pay 2.2 € and used a 48-hour pass for 13.3 €, because I was in Vienna for two days.

If you go straight from the metro to the Palace, then through the Hitzing Gate we get directly into the courtyard of the palace, but it is difficult to call it a courtyard because of its size, but the “courtyard” somehow sounds rude.

For those who want to visit the palace itself and see the Apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth, the cheapest ticket costs 13.3 € with a minimum set of expositions. More expensive tickets include additional locations and skip-the-line entry.

Photo of the palace from the back side, it is from this side that it is usually depicted on advertising booklets and magnets. Further there will be the surroundings of the palace and the park surrounding it.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

After exploring the palace, it is worth going to the park at the palace, there is also something to see and where to walk. It houses the Neptune Fountain, Roman Ruins, Palm House, Glorietta, the labyrinth, the Japanese Garden, the Zoo and the Imperial Carriage Museum.

The territory of the park complex is decorated with sculptures and statues, beautiful flower beds and lush fountains, which, combined with the architecture of the buildings, will not leave you indifferent and did not leave me.

I didn't have enough time for all this, it is impossible to invest in my 48 hours in Vienna and I have to examine everything at a gallop in places. Below are only the main photos from what I managed to see.

In the palace park, the hill is well visible, on which there is a colonnade erected in 1775 and nicknamed Glorietta. Built in honor of the victory over Colin, in which the Prussian army was defeated by the Austrians.

This is the first place where tourists go after leaving the palace. Don't be intimidated by the big uphill climb, it's worth it. There is an excellent observation deck from where you can see the entire palace and park. The colonnade is decorated with a small pond in front of it.

The purpose of this miracle surprised me a lot. The arch was used by the emperors as the premises in which the dining room was located. In the place of the emperor, I would use a carriage or a horse; it would be very tiring to climb here every day for dinner. Now the purpose of this building has not changed, there is a restaurant inside.

But for the sake of what kind it is worth going up here.

Roman ruins

If you stand with your back to the colonnade and go down to the right to its foot, the next attraction of the park will be the artificially created Roman ruins, which for some reason gained worldwide fame. This architectural composition was created in 1778. The main element is a pool with statues in the center, they personify the gods of the rivers Enns and Danube.

Fountain of Neptune

On the same road from the colonnade to the ruins, you can walk further and reach the sculptural composition of marble in the form of a fountain. At the top of this whole company is headed by Neptune, around which there are no less mythological sculptures. The creation date of this masterpiece is 1780.

Updated 01/07/2019

In this article I will tell you about how I visited the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and twice in one month. Especially for you, I have collected in one place all the practical, and most importantly, up-to-date information necessary to visit the sights. He also described in detail all the interesting things that are located on the territory of Schönbrunn: both paid and not requiring additional budget costs. By the way, the photos in the article are taken from two trips - on their days the weather was different, so the photos will differ slightly in the amount of sun and clouds :).

They say that Schönbrunn Palace is the most visited attraction in the Austrian capital. I do not know if this is so, but the fact that there are many people there is an indisputable fact. I visited the palace complex twice in May 2017: at the beginning of the month, when I went to (there is a separate article about it, and my readers can also get a discount on the excursion - all infa at the link above), and then at the end of the month, when I brought to Vienna my mother.

Schönbrunn Palace is the main summer residence of the Habsburg imperial dynasty. This is a "house" with a thousand rooms and a UNESCO protected area. The palace complex is located in Vienna's Hitzing district, about five kilometers from the historic city center. Many experts and most tourists call Schönbrunn the most beautiful palace in Austria and one of the best in Europe. Make up your mind by visiting one of Vienna's top attractions.

But the Habsburgs would not have been the Gasburgs if they had only built a palace. The vast territory of the complex contains a park and gardens, fountains and antique statues, a hedge maze and the world's oldest Schönbrunn Zoo. The territory is truly huge, in one day, especially if you walk through all the museums of the palace, you will definitely not see everything. I am sure that after studying my article, you will decide which plan of visiting Schönbrunn is optimal for you.

The history of the Schönbrunn palace complex

The first information about buildings on the site of the complex that has come down to us dates back to the XIV century. They refer to an estate called Catterburg, which stood on the site of a palace complex. The estate was owned by the Klosterneuburg monastery, which was in charge of living quarters, stables, a water mill and the adjacent territory with a garden.

The Habsburgs received land in the middle of the 16th century. Emperor Matthew (Hungarians know him as King Matthias II) came here to hunt in 1612 and found "beautiful springs" (translated as SchöneBrunnen). In the same century, the castle, which grew on the site of the monastery, was named Schönbrunn. That castle, alas, has not survived to this day. It was destroyed by Turkish troops during the siege of Vienna in 1683. The complex was restored by the architect Fischer von Erlach in the image of Versailles. The castle acquired its present appearance in 1743 during the time of Maria Theresa.

In 1747, a theater was opened in the palace, where Maria Theresa herself and her children performed. In 1752, the husband of the Archduchess Franz I created a menagerie on the estate; now it is the oldest zoo, which bears the title of the oldest in the world. In the west, the rulers opened a botanical garden with interesting tree specimens brought from the West Indies and South Africa. With the death of Maria Theresa, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna became the usual summer residence of the Habsburgs.

Napoleon twice visited Schönbrunn, who fell in love with the eastern wing of the castle. In 1830, the future Emperor Franz Joseph was born here, who made the palace the main residence of the Habsburgs since 1848. Much has changed in the interiors before the wedding of Franz Joseph to Elizabeth, or simply Sisi, as many of her associates called her. In 1945, the palace was damaged during bombing; after its capture, the British used Schönbrunn as their headquarters.

Schönbrunn Palace today

Since December 1996, the entire castle complex and the surrounding area have been included in the UNESCO list. The park complex stretches for a kilometer from north to south and 1.2 from east to west. There are now 1,441 rooms in the palace, about 200 rooms are leased to wealthy people and companies, and tourists can visit only 40 rooms of the museum. I'll tell you about the most interesting:

• Mirror hall. The courtiers took the oath here, little Mozart played, and Maria Theresia's sister lived. The hall is interesting for its crystal mirrors and vases of the 19th century.
• Great Hall Rose. Received the name from the designer - the artist Josef Rosa. The hall is interesting for its rich decoration, landscapes on the walls and all the same vases.
• Large gallery. Here the emperors received audiences, thanks to the architecture - 43 meters long and 10 meters high!
• Ceremonial hall. Decorated with paintings and paintings on the subjects of great events: battles, weddings, receptions. Little Mozart can be found in one of the paintings.
• Entrance hall of Franz Joseph. Leisure room for the emperor. There is a billiard table here, so the place is also called the "Billiard Room".
• Round Chinese cabinet. Place of secret meetings of Maria Theresa. There is even a small elevator, a staircase to the chambers and many vases.

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna now serves as a museum and private meeting place. For tourists, the premises of the palace are open every day, including holidays, from April to June and from September to November at 8: 00-17: 30, from July to August at 8: 00-18: 30, from November to March at 8:00 -17: 00. You can only get to the palace with a guided tour, there are two main options:

• Imperial tour (visiting 22 rooms of the palace) - 16 euros for an adult ticket, 11.5 euros for children from 6 to 18 years old (audio guide is included in the price).
• Grand tour for 40 rooms - 20 euros for an adult, 13 euros for children 6-18 years old.

Children under 6 years old can enter free of charge if accompanied by their parents.

There are other ways to enter the halls of the palaces. You will find the most complete and up-to-date information on site. There is a stand in the Schönbrunn Visitor Center where you can find a short guide in a variety of languages, including Russian. The brochure (her photo below) lists all the ticket options and their prices.

In addition to the palace itself, there is also a park in Schönbrunn. And you can easily spend a whole day studying. The Schönbrunn palace complex occupies a huge territory and there are several interesting places on it. If time is running out, then take a sightseeing train: in an hour you will be shown all the most important and basic. The ticket costs 7 euros for adults and 4 euros for children. True, in May I never watched him. Perhaps the train has been running since June. Tell us who rode it, share your impressions!

You can get to the park for free, no one will stop you. But for visiting certain places, for example, the Labyrinth or Glorietta, you will have to pay. The park opens every day at 6:30 and closes depending on the season. Here is the park schedule for 2017 (taken from here).

The Schönbrunn Park in Vienna is divinely beautiful in itself. Right behind the palace, there are French gardens of roses and wisteria, next to them exotic citrus fruits and other plants are planted from the greenhouse in summer. Therefore, it is best to travel to Schönbrunn in May-June as the flowering period is in full swing.

Now I'll tell you about the main paid and free attractions in Schönbrunn.

Schönbrunn Zoo

The world's oldest zoo, Schönbrunn, was opened in 1752. In 2012, it was recognized as the best in Europe; now it is home to 4.5 thousand animals and birds. I advise you to come in the summer, when the cubs are born at the zoo. Be sure to check out pandas, pink flamingos, sea lions and large felines. The entrance costs 18.5 euros.

Opening hours of Zoo Schönbrunn

• November - January - from 9:00 to 16:30.
• February - from 9:00 to 17:00.
• March, October - from 9:00 to 17:30.
• April - September - from 9:00 to 18:30.

Labyrinth in Schönbrunn Park

The entire park complex was conceived as a huge hedge maze. But already in the 19th century, it fell into decay, and here ordinary, albeit very beautiful, gardens were laid out. The labyrinth was restored in 1998 on a small plot. You can wander among the boxwood for 5.5 euros for adults and 3.2 euros for children. For Vienna card holders and students, entry will cost 4.2 euros.

Opening hours of the Labyrinth

Schönbrunn Palm House

It is a greenhouse, but built in a very unusual style. The Palm House consists of three glazed pavilions, with a total length of 130 meters and a height of 28 meters. Three pavilions correspond to temperate, cold and tropical zones, where you can see exotic plants. Admission is free, but in the summer all plants are taken outside.

Palm House opening hours

• May 1 - September 30 - from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• October 1 - April 30 - from 9:00 to 17:00.

Schönbrunn Glorietta

Colonnade, which seems to complete and emphasize the entire ensemble of the park. The Schönbrunn palace complex occupies a large area, and Glorietta borders it. The central honor is glazed, and the side ones are open; inside there is a cafe with a panoramic view of the entire park. Admission costs € 3.8 for adults and € 3 for children.

Glorietta Terrace opening hours

• March 15 - June 5, September 1 - September 30 - from 9:00 to 18:00.
• July 1 - August 31 - from 9:00 to 19:00.
• October 1 - October 28 - from 9:00 to 17:00.
• October 29 - November 5 - from 9:00 to 16:00.

Schönbrunn Carriage Museum

Opened in 1922 on the basis of the Imperial Carriage Collection. There are 60 active carriages in the museum, the oldest are from the 17th century. Schönbrunn Palace is proud of the imperial carriage of Joseph II, which was used for coronations. You can admire the equipment and clothes, paintings with carriages. The entrance costs 9.5 euros.

Museum opening hours

• March 16 - November 27 - from 9:00 to 17:00.
• November 28 - March 14 - from 10:00 to 16:00.

Schönbrunn in miniature for young children and adolescents. Here you can try on the outfits of aristocrats, sit on a throne, learn about the life of the Habsburgs and the inhabitants of the palace, and play the imperial daily life. The Children's Museum is located on the right side of the palace, entrance costs € 11 for adults and € 7.5 for children.

Museum opening hours

• March 15 - November 5.
• February 6 - February 12 - from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Every Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00.

Other sights of Schönbrunn

Japanese garden

You don't need to pay to enter here, but I advise you to visit this place. Schönbrunn Palace would not be so interesting without exoticism, and in the Japanese Garden there is a tea house, unusual stone ornaments, artificial waterfalls, and well-groomed plants. On one side of the garden is the Vienna Schönbrunn Zoo, on the other - the Palm House.

Roman ruins

More precisely, pseudo-ruins, because they were created by Johannes Hezendorf in 1778 with his own hands. The ensemble consists of a pool with a semicircular arch, decorated with bas-reliefs. Below there are statues of Roman gods, and behind the vault is a statue of Hercules. The entrance to the ruins is also free, they work all the time the park is open.

Fountains of the park

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is interesting and famous for its complex of fountains. They are everywhere, big and small. I would especially advise you to look at the Neptune fountain, created in 1776. In the center of the composition is Neptune itself, surrounded by nymphs. The Obelisk fountain, standing at the end of the palace alley, is not inferior in beauty. Below, in the grotto, there are statues of the gods, and above them there is an obelisk on golden turtles.

Fountains in Schönbrunn are open from mid-April to mid-October

• Fountain of Neptune - from 10:00 to 16:00.
• Obelisk Fountain - from 10:00 to 16:00.
• The Parade Fountain - from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
• Fountain in the Roman Ruins - from 8:00 to 21:00.
• Fountain near the Palm House - from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
• Park Fountains - from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.

My impressions of visiting Schönbrunn

A visit to Schönbrunn almost always starts with a visit to the information center. The small building accommodates everything a tourist needs: ticket offices for buying tickets, a gift shop, a cafe and a toilet.

Tickets to Schönbrunn can be bought in two ways: at the ticket office with the cashier (the queue for them is shown below) or at the electronic ticket office (they are located on the side to the left and did not enter the frame). Buy a ticket to Schönbrunn skip-the-line.

The building has a souvenir shop and cafe. In a souvenir shop, I bought a detailed Schönbrunn map for 4.5 euros (if you do not take a guide or audigide, it will be very useful, since in addition to the map it contains a lot of interesting information) and a badge (the flag of Austria) - I don’t remember the price.

In the cafe you can drink coffee and have a snack. Average prices (for Austria), coffee - 4-5 euros per glass, sandwich (with chicken, ham, cheese of your choice) - 4-5 euros. There are hot dishes, but for this you have to sit down and wait for the waiter. Cafe tables are not only inside the building, but also on the street - looking at the palace.

The toilet in the information center is paid - 0.5 euros per visit.

Both times there were a large number of people in Schönbrunn, although on my first visit I was not lucky with the weather (+9 and occasionally drizzling rain). We did not take a tour of the palace and other attractions: we walked around the garden, in different parts of it, took pictures, admired sculptures, fountains and other free attractions.

At the beginning of May, not all flower clubs in the royal garden were planted. Some flowers have just been prepared for planting. I witnessed how the young man stole several flowers and handed them to his companion. I argued with myself that he was from a Russian-speaking country. Came closer, listened to their conversation ... And, for sure, Russian-speaking.


Overall he impressed Schönbrunn more than pleasant... It is especially breathtaking when you walk around the palace for the first time and go out onto the main road of the garden, which leads to the fountain of Neptune and Glorietta. The beauty! True, my mother was not generous in her emotions, like me. I compared Schönbrunn with Peterhof and said that the Austrian palace complex is definitely an outsider in this comparison. I don’t know, I haven’t been to Peterhof. Who was there, and there, share your opinion in the comments.

Useful information for visiting Schönbrunn

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is a large complex, and here each part of it has its own mode of operation and entry conditions. The opening hours and ticket prices for each attraction, the central museum in the palace and the park as a whole, I wrote in the text, where there is no cost - you can get there for free. Complex tickets are valid on the territory (prices are valid from April 1, 2019):

1. Classic Package: Grand Tour 40 rooms + Labyrinth + Glorietta + paid gardens behind the palace + zoo - 40 euros for adults, 23 euros for children.
2. Sisi ticket: Schönbrunn + Habsburg winter residence Hofburg + Imperial Furniture Museum Vienna - 34 euros for adults, 21 euros for children.
3. Family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children - 24.5 euros for adults, 18 euros for children. Free admission to Schönbrunn, the Children's Museum there and the SchlossHof palace and park ensemble in eastern Austria.
4. Children's Museum + Labyrinth - 11 euros for adults and 7.5 euros for children.

All ticket types and current prices are available at imperialtickets.com/en.

Getting to Schönbrunn Palace is easy. Choose metro line U4, trams no. 10 and no. 58, or bus no. 10A. In any case, you need to get off at the Schönbrunn stop, the locals will tell you if you get confused. Hope you have? All information about the complex is available on the official website in English, German, French and Italian.

See Schönbrunn on the map

Take at least a day to visit Schönbrunn, it will be worth it! If you are running out of time, then get to know, Schönbrunn is included in it.

Always yours, Daniil Privolov.

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I advise everyone who comes to Vienna to visit the most beautiful palace and park ensemble in Europe, Schönbrunn or Schloß Schönbrunn.
It is very easy to get to it. Take the green metro line, and the Vienna metro scheme is very simple, get to the Schönbrunn stop and follow the crowd, and the crowd always goes to the palace.
If you are determined not to just look at the beauty with one eye, but to see everything thoroughly, and there is something to see there, I recommend to go early and buy tickets.

The queues at the ticket offices are not small, but you can also pay with a card at the terminal, choosing the route option you are interested in. There are several options, the program is in Russian, which is very convenient. If you are without children, then I advise you to take a full ticket to the museum, there is an option of an incomplete ticket when there is no opportunity to visit several of the most beautiful halls. The tour of the museum is interesting, you cannot take pictures.

It is imperative to take tickets to the greenhouse and Glorietta. The stables are also worth a visit.
But with children, you must definitely go to the playground and the labyrinth. Adults have nothing to do there, but children can have wonderful fun while their parents eat ice cream. Yes, they sell ice cream.

And so, I will tell you a short story.

Schönbrunn or Schloß Schönbrunn was the main summer residence of the Austrian emperors of the Habsburg dynasty.

This is one of the largest buildings of the Austrian Baroque, the architect of which was Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.
Located in the western part of Vienna in the area in which Schönbrunn is located is called Hitzing and is located in the western part of Vienna. How to get there, I wrote earlier.
Schönbrunn is considered one of the most beautiful palace and park ensembles in Europe.
Schönbrunn is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The list includes the palace and park with its many fountains and statues, glorietta and pseudo-Roman ruins, as well as the Schönbrunn Zoo - the oldest in the world.

On the site of the present palace there was a building that dates back to the XIV century.
In 1569, this area passed into the possession of the Habsburgs.
According to legend, Emperor Matthew, while hunting in 1612, came across "beautiful springs" (Schöne Brunnen), which served as the name of the palace.
Already under Maria Theresa, whom the father of Emperor Charles VI acquired in 1728 as a gift from Schönbrunn, the palace was reconstructed, rebuilt and completed in some places. It is in this form today.

Maria Theresia Schönbrunn was very fond of, admired the gardens and castles, invited the best court gardeners for landscaping.
A theater was built in the northern wing of the palace. Not only the best singers performed there, but also the Empress herself. By the way, Maria Theresa was an empress.
In 1952, Emperor Franz I, husband of Maria Theresa, founded a menagerie near the palace, which still exists today. Today it is the oldest zoo in the world. On the west side of the palace there is a greenhouse. A very beautiful place to stay.

After the death of Maria Theresa, the palace was used only as the summer residence of the emperors.

Franz Joseph was born in Schönbrunn Palace in 1830. Here he lived all his life.
This is the only emperor who was born here and lived until the end of his days.

The premises of the palace:

There are 1,441 rooms in Schönbrunn Palace of various sizes.
190 premises are leased and do not belong to the museum.
40 rooms are open for tourists.
The ticket price includes an audio guide in Russian.

Large gallery
This room, 43 meters long and 10 meters wide, was used for the audience of the emperors.
Under Maria Theresa, the hall was rebuilt and became the main premises of the palace.
Since 1761, it has hosted all important state celebrations and meetings.

Mirror Hall (Spiegelsalon)
In this hall, even during the reign of Maria Theresa, ministers took the oath of office.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played in it for the Empress.
In 1747, these chambers were assigned to Princess Charlotte of Lorraine (sister of the emperor).

Notable in this room are crystal mirrors, which by their advantageous position (opposite each other) give the room additional volume, a bronze clock and Chinese blue and white vases of the 19th century. There is also a small altar with the image of the Holy Virgin Mary.

Great Hall Rosa (Rosa-Zimmer)
This room is named after the artist Josef Rosa, who decorated the interior of the room.
The wall paintings depict the landscapes of Switzerland and Northern Italy.

Small gallery
Small dinners, concerts and other events were organized in this room. The exit from the gallery leads to the south entrance staircase overlooking the glorietta, the Neptun-Brunnen fountain and flower beds. Through an arch, this gallery is connected to the large gallery of the palace.

Roesselzimmer room
The room was conceived as a playroom (Roessel is a chess horse).
Since the 19th century, it has been used as a dining room.

Ceremonial hall
Originally the hall was called Batagliensaal or battle hall.
On the walls there are episodes of great battles and other paintings depicting even the wedding ceremonies of emperors. The paintings were painted in the second half of the 18th century. In the famous painting "Musikfest" in its left corner you can see the little Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was actually added to the picture only at the request of Empress Maria Theresa, since at this age Mozart had not yet lived in Vienna.

Other rooms:
Guards Room or Gardezimmer.
Entrance hall Franz Joseph, or the so-called "Billiard room".
A room with walnut wood trim.
The study of Emperor Franz Joseph.
Franz Joseph's bedroom. This room clearly demonstrates the lifestyle of the head of state, who preferred modesty and simplicity.
The emperor's bed, in which he died, is made of plain wood.

Cabinet with a terrace. This was the room of Empress Elizabeth.
Working room with a wooden staircase.
Dressing room.
Bedroom of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elizabeth.
Empress Elizabeth's salon. This room was the private chambers of the Empress Maria Theresa.
Marie Antoinette's room. This room was named after Maria Antonia, who, after her marriage to Louis XVI, became known as Antoinette.
Bathroom of the Empress Elizabeth. The bathroom was made of white marble and contained a shower and a porcelain washbasin.
Breakfast room.
Yellow room. The chairs in this room are covered with yellow silk damask, the walls are also decorated with gold ornaments.
A room with a balcony. On the walls there are paintings depicting the children of Maria Theresa, including portraits of Ferdinand Karl, Leopold II., Maximilian Franz and Karl Joseph.
Small room Rose.
Rose's small room.
Round Chinese cabinet.
Oval Chinese Cabinet.
Blue Chinese Salon.
Room Vieux-Laque
Napoleon's room
Porcelain room
The millionth room
Tapestry salon
Memorial room
Red salon
Oriental study with a terrace
Emperor Franz Josef's birth room
Archduke Franz Karl's workroom
Archduke Franz Karl's salon
Wild boar room
Walk-through room
Machine room
Carousel room
Lantern room

Greenhouse

Palace park

The palace park is incredibly beautiful. Its area is about 160 hectares.
The park is very old. It was founded in 1705-1706 by Jean Treet according to the designs of Fischer von Erlach.
In the park adjacent to the palace building, geometric clarity of lines has been preserved for centuries.

Gloriette

To be honest, I still did not understand what function this structure performed.
I know one thing that it is very beautiful, located in a gorgeous place where the imperial palace should be built according to the original plan of the great von Erlach. The rotunda was built in 1775 by the architect von Hohenberg in honor of the victory of Austria and Maria Theresa over Prussia by Frederick II.

View from Glorietta.

Fountain of Neptune.
In the center of the fountain there is an artificial rock grotto, at the top of which is placed the ancient patron saint of the seas, Neptune, sitting with his trident on a shell carriage. On the right hand of Neptune, the nymph Tethys leaned down, begging him for help in sailing to Troy of her son Achilles. On the left hand is a nymph, in whose hands is a cornucopia as a symbol of untold sea riches, and next to it is a sculptural group of four tritons, seahorse tamers, harnessed to Neptune's chariot.

On the street you can see different golden people.

Palace from the side of the street.