At the end of February, I visited Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. The Baroque-style palace was the home of the Habsburg rulers, and it was named after the spring or well on the site. Franz I and his wife Maria Theresa lived here in the mid-1700s, and the design of the palace and decoration of it is from this era. The longest-reigning emperor Franz Joseph spent most of his life in the palace and died there in 1916, before the dynasty ended in 1918. The palace would later reopen as a museum.
The palace is one of the top attractions to see in Vienna, and a visit in to the palace gardens in the spring or summer will be enjoyable, but visiting in low season to avoid the majority of the crowds gave me enough time to look around the palace without too many people in my way and without having to wait in long queues.
The first room that I saw was just outside the main house, and this is located in one of the wings of the palace and seemingly free to visit without a ticket at this section. This is a small chapel.
The Billiards room was the first main room that I saw when I entered the palace.
This part of the palace is the private apartments, and the audience chamber was the next room. This room was the room that the emperor would use to receive guests to the palace. High military and government officials would be welcomed here.
The emperor's study and room were next to see. The rooms contain personal photographs, and there is a bed in this bedroom. This bed is where Franz Joseph passed away, and the painting was of him after he passed.
Next was the apartments of Empress Elisabeth.
The couple's bedroom has a dark blue pattern wallpaper and matching furniture. It was decorated for their marriage in 1854.
Below is the reception room of empress Elisabeth.
The Marie Antoinette room is the dining room, and this was always used for the family dining.
The breakfast room.
The yellow salon room has views over the gardens.
Balcony Room
Hall of Mirrors was one of the original rooms decorated in the mid-1700s by Maria Thresa.
The Rosa rooms are named after an artist who contributed the landscape paintings.
The Great Gallery is possibly the most impressive room in the palace. It is over 43 metres in length.
The Small Gallery is also impressive but on a smaller scale.
The Chinese Cabinet is on room that leads off the small gallery. It is named for the Chinese-inspired artwork that was popular for the period.
The Hall of Ceremonies room has the most famous portrait of Maria Theresa.
Horses room.
The Blue Chinese Salon was being restored during my visit.
One of the most important rooms of the palace was inspired from Chinese design. The Vieux Laque room has black laquer panels from China.
Th Porcelain Room was made using sketches of the family of Maria Theresa, and it is a unique design.
The Millions Room contains sketches from Asia.
The Goeblin Room has tapestries hanging in it and represents the Zodiac.
The Red Salon.
The Rich Room contains Maria Theresa's bed.
Franz Karl's study and Salon rooms were the last on the tour.
I hope to visit Vienna in the summer so that I can enjoy the gardens, but I recommend a visit to the palace. I went on the Grand Tour, which includes access to all of the rooms. There can also be combined tickets with the zoo and the palm house on site depending on the time of your visit. Although the zoo and the palace can be done in one day, i would recommend two days to do this so that you do not feel rushed. The palace and gardens can be seen in one day.
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