Get To Know Interesting Facts About Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna

In 1696, Emperor Leopold I commissioned the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to design a palace for his son, Joseph I. The initial intention was to use the palace as a hunting lodge, but over the years, it grew in size and became the beautiful summer residence of the Habsburg monarchy.

The palace is named after the natural spring or the artesian well that once flowed through the area and provided the water stream to the court. The castle was built on a former hunting lodge site that the Habsburgs had used for centuries.

Schönbrunn Palace is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with over 1,400 rooms. However, only 40 of these rooms are open for public visits. Tourists can take a guided tour of the palace to see some of the most impressive rooms, including the Great Gallery, the Marie Antoinette room, the White Room, the Yellow Salon, the Bergl rooms and the Millions Room.

Emperor Franz Joseph, I was born at Schönbrunn Palace in 1830. He would go on to become one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history, ruling both Austria and Hungary for 68 years until he died in 1916. He created a Dual Monarchy by dividing his empire, allowing Hungary and Austria to co-exist peacefully as equal partners. His ultimatum to the country of Serbia, back in 1914, led Germany and Austria into World War I.

Empress Maria Theresa, the wife of Emperor Francis I, was one of the most influential rulers of the Habsburg monarchy. She was a great patron of the arts and was responsible for many of the palace's most beautiful features. Moreover, she also promoted educational, medical, financial, and institutional reforms. She also used the palace as her summer residence and spent many happy hours in the gardens.

The Tiergarten Schönbrunn, or Schönbrunn Zoo, is the oldest zoo in the world which is still up and running and is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was founded in 1752 by Emperor Franz I and has been a popular attraction ever since. The zoo has over 700 animal species, including pandas, tigers, and elephants.

The palace is home to one of the largest collections of porcelain in the world. The collection includes pieces from China, Japan, and Europe and is housed in the Porcelain Room, which is decorated with beautiful blue and white tiles. This room also served as Maria Theresa's private writing room and masterfully displays the monarch's taste in chinoiserie fashion.

Schönbrunn Palace has been used as a location for several films and TV shows, including the 1982 film "Mayerling," which tells the story of the tragic love affair between Crown Prince Rudolf and Baroness Mary Vetsera. Besides that, the palace has been featured in several other films like The Living Daylights (1987), Song Without End (1960), The Fifth Musketeer (1979), The Great Love (1931), and more.

Schönbrunn Palace has an outdoor maze and labyrinth, accounting for famous attractions for tourists of all ages. The maze is made up of hedges that are over two meters tall and covers an area of 1,715 square meters. Conversely, the labyrinth comprises low fences and is designed to be more of a puzzle than a challenge. A perfect place for puzzle lovers!

The Neptune Fountain is one of the most famous and recognizable features of Schönbrunn Palace. The fountain was built in the 18th century in the Great Parterre, the palace's most extensive garden. The fountain is a masterpiece of baroque sculpture and features Neptune, the god of the sea, surrounded by a group of sea creatures.