Castle of Schönbrunn

The castle of Schönbrunn is one of the most significant elements of the Austrian culture . Since the Years 1960, it is one of the most visited tourist sites Vienna. The palate of Schönbrunn was classified with the world heritage of UNESCO in 1996.

Foundation

The Château is with Hietzing, in the west of the downtown area of Vienna. Previously on this site the " was; Katterburg" , property of the mayor of Vienna. In 1569, Maximilien II of the Holy roman Empire bought the ground, where the parks and various buildings are today. It showed a certain interest for the zoo which had just been created, and tried to bring there in addition to the rare plantations of plant species

The name Schönbrunn is allotted to the Matthias emperor, who would have discovered at the time of an excursion to hunting a particularly beautiful source (in German, schöner Brunnen means “beautiful fountain”). During the next century, the imperial family made use of it like residence of summer, but the Turkish invasions involved its quasi-destruction.

The modern palate

The emperor Léopold I {{er}} entrusted to the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach the design of a new palate which wanted to be Austrian Versailles. The first project delivered in 1693, too utopian and excessively expensive, was not adopted. Then comes a smaller and realistic idea. Construction began in 1696, and three years after, the first festivities were held in the central part of the palate.

Unfortunately, few parts of the castle survived because during the next century, each emperor modified the building partially. On the orders of the empress Marie-Therese of Austria, the architect Nikolaus Pacassi redrew the castle in a style Rococo.

At the 19th century, an emperor will leave his mark on Schönbrunn, he acts of François-Joseph Ier of Austria. He passed there the major part of his life and died there in 1916. The castle was its residence of summer (the Hofburg being that of winter). Several parts, also have the memory of his wife, the empress Elisabeth known as Sissi . During its reign, Schönbrunn was regarded as Gesamtkunstwerk (masterpiece accomplished) and reorganized in agreement with its history.

The park

The gardens with the Frenchwoman of the park were drawn in 1695 per Jean Tréhet, raises Ours. The park includes/understands false Roman ruins and a Orangerie, prerogative of the palates of great luxury of this time. The top of the park is occupied by Gloriette, neo-classic building of style, drawn by Ferdinand von Hohenberg, from where one has a panoramic sight on the castle and the town of Vienna.

Statistics

2,5 million tickets of entry to visit the apartments of the castle was sold in 2006 (+ 9% compared to 2005).
29,4 million euro of turnover in 2006, including 6,4 million euro on the level of the shops.

External bonds

Seen satellite of the Palate of Schönbrunn on WikiMapia
Official site of the castle (German, English, Italian)
Photography gallery: castle of Schönbrunn

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