/tags/vienna-tourism.rss en-us Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Austria, and rightfully so, as it is said to be surpassed in beauty and grandeur only by Versailles in France. If the beautifully decorated palace rooms are not enough to encourage a visit, travellers will be easily lured in by the remarkable gardens and the striking hedge maze. The site of Schonbrunn Palace originally served as a hunting ground for the Austrian Imperial family. A mansion was erected by the family in 1548, and this mansion was eventually transformed into a palace by Eleonore Gonzaga, the widow of Ferdinand II, and a prominent member of the House of Hapsburg. Schonbrunn Palace has been remodelled several times according to the whims of its varying owners. Many of the Austrian Imperial family used Schonbrunn as a summer home only, but Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria spent the majority of his life there, and died there in 1916. The downfall of the monarchy in 1918 led to the Austrian Republic’s possession of Schonbrunn Palace, and thankfully, they opted to preserve the Palace as a museum, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site. One of the most notable features of Schonbrunn is its unique colour: a cheerful yellow, which has been dubbed “Schonbrunn Yellow.” Even the name of the Palace connotes vitality and pleasure, as Schonbrunn means “beautiful spring.” The interior of the Palace is just as noteworthy as the yellow exterior, and Schonbrunn houses over forty extravagant nineteenth century apartments within. These apartments feature crown moulding, huge chandeliers, antique furnishings, and grand portraits of Austrian royalty. After marvelling at the royal splendour of the apartments, visitors can admire the Baroque style gardens. The Palace grounds feature a Neptune fountain, the world’s oldest zoo, founded in 1752, and an orangerie (similar to a greenhouse). Beyond the garden is a 60-metre hill, crowned by the impressive Schonbrunn gloriette— a building in a garden that is elevated above its surroundings—which is probably the best known example of this type of structure. The gloriette is interpreted as a monument to "just war," which is the ideal of waging war with the purpose of restoring balance of power and consolidating the established order. Today, the gloriette houses a cafe and offers visitors a stunning view of the city. Rich in history and stunning beauty, the Schonbrunn Palace is a must-see for any visitor to Vienna. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:10:15 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/schonbrunn-palace http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/schonbrunn-palace