The Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna served as the main summer residence of the Hapsburg rulers. Key features include female sphinx statues guarding the entrance, a main gate originally featuring two-headed eagles later replaced by Napoleon's eagles, and a decorated main facade. The interior contains various ornately decorated rooms like the Blue Chinese Salon and Million Gulden Room, as well as spaces for conducting state affairs. The expansive gardens were modeled after Versailles and include landmarks such as the Gloriette colonnade, Neptune Fountain, and an on-site zoo.

1. Schonbrunn
The Hapsburg Palace in Vienna
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free for non-commercial and personal use. First created 21 Aug 2012. Version 1.0 - 28 Aug 2012. Jerry Tse. London.

2. The Approach
Female sphinx guards the approach to the entrance of the palace.

3. The main gate
The main gate to the palace. The original two headed Hapsburgs eagles were replaced by two Napoleon’s eagles.

5. The facade
The main entrance façade of the palace.

6. The facade
Decorations on the main façade.

7. The forecourt
One of the two fountains on the forecourt.

8. East Wing

9. Blue Chinese Salon
The Blue Chinese Salon reflects the
18C fashion for Chinoiserie. It was in
this room in 1918, Karl I declared the
end of the Habsburgs monarchy.

10. Blue Chinese Salon
The wall paper in the Blue Chinese
Salon.

11. Vieus-Laque Room
The Vieus-Laque room is decorated with Japanese lacquer panels set into dark brown walnut.

12. Napoleon Room
During the French occupations of Vienna in
1805 and 1809, Napoleon chose the palace as
his residence. He also married to Marie
Louise, the daughter of Emperor Franz I.

13. Porcelain Room
Only the chandelier, wall bracket and the clock are pieces of genuine Meissen porcelain, in the Porcelain room.

14. Porcelain Room
The Porcelain room.

15. Million Gulden Room
It is said the in 1767 Empress
Maria Theresa paid over a
million gulden to decorate
this room in Rococo style.

16. Million Gulden Room
Set into the wall panelling of Central American rosewood are antique Persian
miniatures of the court life of the Indian Mogul empire in the 16C and 17C.

17. Gobelin Room
The Gobelin Salon with its wall covered with 17C Gobelin tapestries.

18. State Rooms

19. Ceremonial Hall
The Ceremonial Hall was mainly used for celebrating family occasions, such as weddings etc.

20. Equestrian Room
The Equestrian Room derived its name from the paintings in the room, commissioned by Maria Theresa.

21. The Round Chinese Room
The Round Chinese Room used by Maria Theresa to discuss state affairs with her advisers.

22. The Great Gallery
This was the magnificent centrepiece of the palace for state occasions, with high mirrors.

23. West Wing

24. Many rooms in the West Wing were used as family rooms by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Queen Elisaberh.

25. Franz Joseph Study
This was the study of Emperor Franz Joseph I. He spent many hours here managing the affairs of the empire.

26. The Mirror Room
The Mirror Room used for public audiences. It was here that the infant Mozart gave his first concert at the age of six.

27. Bergl Rooms
The Bergl Rooms were designed by the
painter Johann Wenzl Bergl. In many
of the rooms facing the garden on the
ground floor he painted imaginative
frescoes of Indian landscape for
Empress Maria Theresa.

28. Bergl Rooms

29. Palace Theatre
The oldest Baroque theatre in Vienna provided a stage for many performances by the royal families and
performances by the famous musicians, like Haydn and Mozart. The theatre is a separate building with
its entrance from the palace forecourt.

30. The Garden

31. The garden
The garden was modelled on Versailles.

32. Gloriette
The colonnaded Gloriette was built on the crest of the rise in 1775, commission by Joseph II and Maria
Theresa. It was dedicated as a Monument to Just War. It was used as a dining hall as well as a breakfast room.

33. Iron pavalion
The iron pavilion in the ‘Crown Prince’s Garden’.

34. The obelisk
The avenue leading to the Obelisk and Cascade

35. The obelisk
The Obelisk and Cascade

37. The garden

38. Highlights
The highlights of the garden the Gloriette and the Neptune Fountain.

39. Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain with its snow white marble sculptures.

40. Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain with its seahorse and triton.

41. Neptune Fountain
Thetis kneels before Neptune begging his help for her son Achilles on his voyage to Troy.

42. Palm house
The Palm House was completed in 1882.

43. Naiad Fountain
The Naiad Fountain.

44. Naiad Fountain
The Naiad Fountain.

46. The Zoo
Unusually, the palace garden includes a zoo, commissioned in 1752 by Maria Theresa.

48. The
End
All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Music – My Love Song Should Be a Waltz
Available free for non-commercial and personal use. performed by Andre Rieu.