Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors and is designated a UNESCO site for its magnificent Baroque architecture.

The history of Schonbrunn Palace stretches back to the Middle Ages, when the estate, originally called Katterburg, was a modest property with a mill, farm, and vineyards.  Over time, it grew under various owners, eventually becoming part of the imperial estate in the 16^th century.  It served as a hunting retreat until plans for a grand palace emerged in the late 1600s.

The palace underwent several significant renovations, especially under Empress Maria Theresa in the 18^th century, when the court architect expanded its size and shifted its style from Baroque to Rococo.  After the empress’s death, the palace sat largely empty and was briefly occupied by Napoleon.  

In the early 19^th century, Emperor Franz I took over, and his architect updated the façade, removing many of the Rococo elements and opting for a simple, neoclassical design.  Painted in a special shade known as Schonbrunn Yellow, it is considered a nod to Maria Theresa’s era.

Among the highlights of the palace are the Bergl Rooms, known for their exotic landscape murals depicting peacocks, fruit baskets, and tropical vegetation, to name a few.  The palace also reflects Maria Theresa’s love for East Asian art, incorporating Chinese porcelain, lacquer, and silks. 

The Hall of Mirrors, with its gilt Rococo décor, is where the 6-year-old Mozart performed for the empress.  At the centre of the palace is the magnificent Great Gallery, decorated in gilt stucco and frescoes, and at 131ft (40m) in length, it was the venue for courtly events.