This is one of Vienna’s best known attractions, but despite it’s popularity and many tourists, visitors are still provided with an excellent insight of imperial life in baroque period Vienna. Schonbrunn has been imperial home and the seat of generations of Habsburgs (since 1569) so exquisite art and objects from some of Europe’s best artists and craftsmen from different periods litter the various wings. Important rooms in the palace are too numerous to mention, but make sure you visit the Blue Chinese Salon, redecorated in the beginning of the 19th Century to reflect the growing popularity in Europe of Eastern art and style, which is where Karl I gave up Austrian rule and the democracy of Austria was born, the Marie Antoinette Room which was the family dining room, used on less formal occasions during Franz Joseph’s period, but reflecting the opulence the family enjoyed when dining even on more simple dishes and the Millions Room, inlaid with sixty rosewood rococo miniatures depicting the life of Indian royalty, and decorated with an incredibly unique bronze and enamel chandelier and a bust of Marie Antoinette who grew up here before been sent to France to marry. The salons are also unmissable providing important art and portraiture of the dynasty. The family contributed much of their own skill and taste to the palace, this is reflected especially in the Porcelain Room the walls of which are covered in framed blue inked drawings by Emperor Franz Stephan and his children which give the room a willow patterned appearance, hence the name. There is truly too much of this place worthy of gushing description, however a concise website will help you to plan your trip in advance so as not to miss your personal highlights.

The castle, formal gardens, auxiliary buildings and zoo are the largest, most complete complex of this kind.

Written by  Kynan Wieltz.

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