 | Vienna Schönbrunn Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 341 |  |
 | |  |  | Schönbrunn: On the footsteps of Sissi - Schloß Schönbrunn | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Schloß Schönbrunn had been the Viennese summer residence for Austrian Royalty for many decades. Today it's open for anybody to visit. The tour of the castle is a fascinating journey back into history and allows a little glimpse into what life was like for royalty during the 1700, 1800, and 1900's. The castle was built by the ruling Habsburgs (Maximilian II) between 1696 and 1712. It has 1,441 rooms and is decorated in the delicate rococo style. We did the grand tour (40 rooms, includes audio-guide, Euro 11.50/person), which lasted about 2 hours. The tour is conducted electronically via headsets, which allows you to go at your own pace. Noteworthy: One of Austrias great rulers, Empress Maria Theresia (1700s), resided in the palace and gave birth to most of her 16 children there. The castle also offers much information about Empress Elisabeth(Sissi), wife of Franz Joseph (late 1800s). Elisabeth became somewhat of a national heroine due to the romantic series of Sissi-films. I picked up her biography in the extensive castle bookstore, and I would recommend that anybody who is enchanted by the myth NOT read it - reality might destroy the romantic illusion. Franz seemed to be quite a workaholic, spending many hours at his office (first room of the tour). One thing confused us; movement seemed to be through one eternal passageway. So we wondered if Sissi would have passed 19 rooms to get to the 20th, until we found a labyrinth of back passages for residents to move throughout the palace. There were also some art rooms dedicated to Chinese / Indian paintings. Emperess Theresa was also the mother of Marie Antoinette, married into the French family, and who said the famous words before the Revolution 'If the peasants dont have bread, let them eat cake!'. Very educational! Leave a Comment Phone: +43 1 81113 0Directions: Schönbrunn is located in the 13th district of Vienna. Detailed directions can be found at the official website (the site also has maps and links to public transport sites) Website: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/site/publicdir/
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| | | | Schönbrunn: Explore the Emperor's Summer Palace | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Schönbrunn was the former summer residence of Austrian’s previous imperial family. It takes its name from a beautiful spring that was found on this site. An earlier hunting lodge was destroyed by the Turks, so Emperor Leopold I asked Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to design a grand Baroque residence here in 1695. Then it was Empress Maria Theresia who employed Nikolaus Pacassi (her court architect) to complete the project in the mid-18th century. The palace has some of the best Rococo interiors in central Europe while the surrounding Schlosspark is home to the Tiergarten, Vienna’s zoo, and the Palmenhaus (Palm House). To the west of the neighbouring villa district of Hietzing is the much wilder parkland of the Lainzer Tiergarten, a former royal hunting ground that’s now a haven for wildlife. The palace contains nearly 1500 rooms, and in its day, would have housed more than 1000 servants. Even though the sheer scale of the place is undeniably impressive, the building itself is something of an acquired taste; its plain façade is painted a rather pale mustard yellow color. The interior of the palace contains excellent arrays of Baroque and Rococo State rooms. There is also a fine collection of imperial carriages in the Wagenburg (Coach Museum), plus temporary exhibitions in the Orangerie. The best way to enter Schonbrunn and the Schlosspark to go directly to the Meidlinger Tor on the Grünberg strasse from U-Bahn Schönbrunn, rather than walking along the multi-lane freeway to the main gates of the Schönbrunn Palace. You could also continue one stop further on the U-Bahn to Hietzing, and walk into the park via the Hietzing Tor on Hietzinger Haup strasse. This will enable you to look at the nearby Hofpavillon Hietzing, the imperial family’s private U-Bahn station. Directions: Take the U4 U-Bahn to Schonbrunn train station; then head directly to Meidlinger Tor on the Grünberg strasse. Or you can walk along the freeway & go directly to the main gates of the Palace.
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| | | | Schönbrunn: The glorious Gloriette | Tip Rating: | | | | |
After the Schönbrunn was constructed and the gardens developed, something was needed to complete the picture. At the request of Maria Theresa, widow of Emperor Franz 1, the Gloriette and the Neptune fountain in front of it were constructed at the top of the hill in the 1770s. And the function of the Gloriette? Essentially ornamental, though it was used for dining and functions by the Emperors and now houses a café and small souvenir shop. I’d have to say that the Gloriette succeeds very well as a counterpoint to the main palace and focal point for the end of the gardens (Main photo). Any doubts you may have about that should be dispelled by the magnetic attraction it seems to exert on the crowds visiting (yes, including us). We managed to avoid the urge to make a direct assault on it, and strolled around the grounds: but there never was any doubt about our destination! Enroute, pass the Neptune Fountain (Photo 2) then the large water feature which gives great reflections – pity about the delivery van in Photo 3 though! Finally, you’ve reached it, and it still remains imposing (Photo 4) even from closer up. At this stage, you have a choice of the café, an outdoor refreshment area, or just head for the flat roof and take in the view (there is a small charge). We headed for the roof first (seniors discounts apply) and found quite a reasonable view of Vienna (Photo 5) then, as it was a warm day, thought about a cool drink (see “Tourist Trap”). Directions: You will find the Gloriette at the rear of the Schonbrunn (if the area you enter is taken as the front).
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| | | | Schönbrunn: You just have to see #2 | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I’d doubt that many would argue about the Schonbrunn palace (well, more properly the Schloss Schonbrunn) being among the top “have to see” sights in Vienna – and the crowds seem to agree, there were seemingly thousands of people on the (week) day we visited. During the latter part of their reign, the Schonbrunn was the main palace of the Habsburg Emperors. Construction started in 1696 and extensions and modifications continued into the 19th century. Franz Josef, the last major Emperor of the line, spent his life here and also died in the palace in 1916: after WW I, the Austrian State became a Republic and took over ownership of the palace. The palace complex is enormous, but apparently had been planned to be even larger: the Habsburgs apparently were trying to match their French relatives with the Palace of Versailles! The Schonbrunn, nonetheless, was still sufficient to be included in the World Heritage List in 1996. In one day (all we could spare), it is impossible to see everything at the Schonbrunn, so we decided to wander the grounds rather than take a group tour through some of the lavish rooms. We were glad that we did and, fortunately, the weather improved during the day. It’s all very imposing, from the moment you enter the main (rear?) courtyard (Photo 2 - panorama) where the fiacres, lending a nice period appearance, are dwarfed by the building (Photo 3). Now walk around to the front, facing the main gardens, pretend you are an Emperor by standing on the balcony, and be amazed by the view (Photo 4). The grounds and gardens (more photos in travelogue) are designed to complement the palace itself. It’s all on a grand scale, such as the “Roman Ruin” area (Photo 5). On the hill, the Gloriette (separate tip) dominates the skyline and provides a counterpoint across the gardens from the main palace. Somehow our backyard barbecue area now seems inadequate! Phone: +43 (1) 8111 3239Directions: Metro line U4 to Schonbrunn – the walk to the palace is well signposted (or just follow the crowds!).Website: www.schoenbrunn.at/de/publicdir/
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| | | | Schönbrunn: SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The first thing that you must to do when visit Vienna,is see this beautiful imperial palace:Schönbrunn Palace,(Schloss Schönbrunn),this palace it was planned in 1690 by Johann Fischer von Erlach,the most famous architect of the time.The Hapsburg palace was intended to surpass Versailles in splendour,but thrifty Emperor Leopold I cut the budget,and works not begin until 1696,under Joseph I. There are some guided tours inside the palace,even though only can be visited some of most important rooms,the whole palace has 1.700 rooms!.There are also audioguides availables,a good choice if you want to learn everything about the palace without book any guided tour. Here were living also the Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elizabeth "Sissi" and it was used as summer residence,it is located just outisde of the city center. Don't miss to see here the Carriages Museum!. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Schönbrunn: Schonbrunn | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Maria Theresia's favorite residence was here at the palace of Schonbrunn. Her lavish tastes ooze from the walls and the painting they hold, as well as the furniture and gardens that permeate every inch of this place. Unfortunately, I was here on an overcast, gloomy day in November. So, I saw the gardens in less than their proclaimed glory, that EVERYONE told me. Why don't you just rub it in! Anyway, the palace is worth the short trip out here alone. But, I am sure that a visit in the spring time, or even late in the summer would provide a much better floral ambience. Guess I'll have to go back! Tours are fairly expensive, as far as museums go. There are two types, the 22 room tour and the 44 room tour. 22 = 8 Euro, 44 = 10 Euro Leave a Comment Directions: U4 to Schonbrunn
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| | | | Schönbrunn: Schoenbrunn | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Schoenbrunn Palace is one of the best sites to visit whilst in Vienna, with numerous attractions - from the palace itself, and seeing its beautiful bedrooms, ballrooms and living areas, to the gardens, the maze, botanical gardens and even a zoo. There are also a number of places to eat, especially at Christmas time where there is even a smaller version of the Christmas markets at the palace, with many food stands, as well as the normal Christmas decoration stands. There is plenty for children and adults alike to do here, so it is certainly a family friendly attraction. Schoenbrunn belonged to the Habsburg family since the time of Maximilian II in 1569, until it was given to the Republic of Austria at the end of the Monarchy, and since 1992 has been looked after by a private company. You have a choice of the Imperial Tour with an audioguide which allows you to see 22 rooms for: Adults: 8,90 euros Children: 4,70 euros Students: 7,90 euros Or the Grand Tour with audioguide which allows you to see 40 rooms for: Adults: 11,50 euros Children: 6,00 euros Students: 10,20 euros Wien card: 10,20 euros Please note the above tours do not include access to the Zoo or Palm House, but you can buy the Schoenbrunn Pass Gold which allows you access to the rooms, as well as both of these others. For more details on group discounts and guided tour costs, please see this site: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/site/publicdir/0101060000_91.php The audioguide is available in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Polish, Czech, Hungarian. You can find the opening times for all of Schoenbrunn's attractions here: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/site/publicdir/0101050000_90.php#schlosszeit I really can not recommend this Palace enough, there is something for everyone! Phone: +43-1-81113 239Directions: Underground: U4, Schoenbrunn Trams: 10, 58, Schoenbrunn Bus: 10A, Schoenbrunn There are signs from the underground right to the Palace. For more information and a map, please see this site: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/site/publicdir/0101040000_8f.phpWebsite: www.schoenbrunn.at Other Contact: schauraeume@schoenbrunn.at
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