Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most opulent imperial residences in the world, a World Heritage Site since 1996, along with its magnificent park.
It was originally a hunting estate, which was purchased by Emperor Maximilian II in 1569. After it was devastated by the Turks during the second siege of Vienna, Leopold I decided to entrust it to the heir to the throne Joseph, and also provided it with a representative building: the Schönbrunn hunting lodge, built at the beginning of the 18th century. It was later converted by Maria Theresa into a summer residence and was enriched with sumptuous imperial apartments, salons, staircases and galleries, and enlarged with the addition of an entire mezzanine floor and the so-called "knights' wings," intended for the highest-ranking officials. Once the main body had been completed, work extended to the park, which was embellished with striking architectural elements.
When the Empress Maria Theresa died in 1780, the entire complex remained uninhabited.
It was Napoleon who occupied it on two occasions, in 1805 and 1809, followed by the top representatives of the European powers during the Congress of Vienna, held between 1814 and 1815. After the Congress, however, it became evident that the building was in need of a thorough restyling, which began during the reign of Francis II. This operation included work on the façade, remodeled in the neoclassical style of the time and painted in the typical "Schönbrunn yellow" color.
Under Franz Joseph, who was born here, and his wife Elizabeth of Bavaria, the famous Princess Sissi, the palace experienced a final era of imperial splendor until the monarchy ended in 1918 and the Palace became the property of the state.
Only a part of the huge castle is currently open to the public, comprising some 40 rooms whose rich furnishings will still give you an idea of imperial power. Just think, there are 1401 rooms that cannot be visited!
Before you start your visit, I suggest you request the audio guide, which should be free of charge.
An interesting fact: The name of the castle is said to derive from "schöner brunnen," meaning "beautiful spring", alluding to an artesian well discovered by the Emperor Matthias in 1612 during a hunting trip, which formed the initial core of Schönbrunn.
