Introduction

Visit Empress Sisi’s former summer residence. This baroque complex contains an enchanting park, the Palm House, the Gloriette and a zoo. Spend an entire day at Schönbrunn: visit the show rooms with a "Grand Tour with Audio Guide," admire the splendid Bergl Rooms, and stroll through the “Labyrinth.”

Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family, is one of Europe's most impressive Baroque palace complexes. The land had been in the possession of the Habsburgs since 1569, when the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II. had a summer residence built there in 1642, which she called "Schönbrunn". The palace and garden complex built here from 1696, after the Turkish occupation, was redesigned from the ground up by Maria Theresia after 1743. For most of the year, the Habsburgs resided in the countless chambers that a large imperial family needed in addition to the formal state rooms.

Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings.

The rooms, shown to the public on guided tours, are mostly decorated in Rococo style. Most of the walls and ceilings are covered with white-lacquered surfaces with ornamentation covered with gold leaf.

Bohemian crystal chandeliers and white porcelain tile stoves are also part of the harmonious design. The living quarters and offices used by Emperor Francis Joseph are simple and very unpretentious; by contrast, the state rooms and guestrooms are much more lavish. In 1772, six-year-old child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert in the Hall of Mirrors.

In the Round Chinese Room, Maria Theresa held secret conferences with her Chancellor, Prince Kaunitz. Napoleon met with his generals in the Vieux Laque Room. In the Blue Chinese Salon, Emperor Charles I signed his abdication of the crown in 1918, marking the end of 640 years of Habsburg dominion in Austria and the demise of the monarchy.

The Room of Millions, paneled with rosewood and decorated from floor to ceiling with priceless Indian and Persian miniatures, is probably the most magnificent Rococo room anywhere in the world. The Congress of Vienna danced in the Grand Gallery in 1814-15; today, the Austrian government gives state receptions there when important heads of state come to Austria for official visits.

Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) Schönbrunner Schlossstraße

1130 Wien

www.schoenbrunn.at

• Contacts +43 1 811 13 239

• Prices Cheaper with the Vienna Card

• Opening hours

April 01, to June 30,

Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 01, to August 31,

Daily 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 01, to October 31,

Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November 01, to March 31,

Daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Accessibility

Main entrance

no steps

Parking spaces Main entrance

disabled parking spaces available at main entrance portal (Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse, 3 parking spaces), Meidlinger Tor (2 parking spaces), close to Kavalierstrakt as well as Valerietrakt (2 parking spaces) and Fürstenstöckl (1 parking space)

Elevator available

95 cm wide and 139 cm deep , Doors 90 cm wide

More information

Guide dogs permitted

Restrooms with access for disabled persons available.

Special offers for disabled persons

Free wheelchair rental – contact attendant at main portal (3 wheelchairs) or at Hietzinger Tor and at Meidlinger Tor (1 wheelchair each).

Supplemental devices available for the visually impaired. Tours for visitors with with disabilities or special needs on request.

Museum Sign Language Guide available in ÖGS and IS for the Imperial or Grand Tour, prior reservation recommended, further information: www.schoenbrunn.at/besucherinfo/audioguide/oegs-guide.html

Comments

Access to all exhibition rooms: no steps. Freight elevator for extra wide wheelchairs: door width: 160 cm, cabin depth: 220 cm, cabin width: 156 cm. U4: Schönbrunn

U4, Tram 10, 58, 60: Hietzing

Park at Schönbrunn Palace (Schlosspark Schönbrunn) Entrance at Hietzinger Tor

Maxingstraße

1130 Wien

www.bundesgaerten.at

• Contacts

+43 1 877 50 87

office@bundesgaerten.at

• Accessibility

More information

Guide dogs permitted

Special offers for disabled persons

Sightseeing-train through the palace park with hydraulic auto-lift for wheelchairs. Daily between 10 am and 6 pm from mid March until the end of October. Reduced price for wheelchair-users.

Comments Daily until dusk, some sights only accessible through gentle climbs and over gravel paths.