Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is a great palace complex, which Austria is proud. Schönbrunn Palace is one of the biggest attractions of Vienna. At the comlex has incredibly beautiful gardens, the oldest zoo in the world and many other interesting structures that make the Castle one of the unique places in the Austrian capital.
As one of the best examples of architectural styles of rococo and baroque, from 1996 the Castle is included in the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.
The palace and gardens 's reflect the taste, the views and interests of the Habsburgs. The foundations of the castle were put in place in 1696, and the entire complex was completed in 1713.
The lovely palace was built by order of Emperor Leopold I. The castle served as a summer residence of the Habsburgs, who chose to elevate its remarkable mansion as the former hunting lodge.
The name of the castle Schönbrunn, translates to - wonderful well. It comes from the well water that was used by the imperial court in Vienna. In the next century, members of the Austrian royal family spent their summer vacations and hunting periods in the castle.
Schönbrunn Palace was seriously injured during the Turkish siege and was so damaged that it seemed impossible to be able to repair its construction.
From the original Castle’s appearance nothing survives from the next centuries because every emperor adds or changes something in the interior and exterior. By order of the Empress Maria Theresa castle Schönbrunn was retooled in the Rococo style. At the end of the so-called, Age of Teresa, the castle was a true center of the Austrian Empire and the imperial family. During the occupation of Napoleon within the castle the headquarters of the Emperor was located.
During the summer the castle became home to the theater where musical performances and concerts took place. Inside Schönbrunn Palace is a small Swiss court, where the imperial chapel is located.
In this lovely complex you can still see and the panoramic site of Maria Theresa "Gloriet", house of palm trees, the house of butterflies and the magnificent Vienna Zoo, which is the oldest in the world dating back to 1569. The castle’s gardens were made by a French man, model with clipped trees, mythological sculpture and especially notable is the fountain of Neptune.
Throughout the Schönbrunn Palace there are 1440 rooms. In terms of interior the castle features an exceptional magnificence. On the ceiling you can see the amazing frescoes painted to which was added gold ornaments and beautiful and large crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings of the halls.
