Schonbrunn palace-Vienna, Cr-flicker
by Venice kichura,
Historical Figures of Austria’s Most Popular Museum and Park
Although tourists are struck by the grandeur of Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace, it’s learning about the the historical figures who lived there that amaze them even more. A trip to Vienna isn’t complete without a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, one of Austria’s most popular cultural landmarks. Besides the more than 1000 rooms, Schönbrunn Palace encompasses fountains, statues and zoological gardens. The palace, along with its gardens became listed on the World Heritage Sites in 1996.
Schönbrunn Palace served as a summer residence to different Habsburg rulers from the 1700s to 1918. Construction of the palace began around the end of the 17th century, although Schonbrunn’s history began earlier. Rumor has it Emperor Matthias II, upon returning from a hunt near the country residence known as Katterburg, discovered a crystal-clear spring he named Brunne, meaning “lovely spring.” Under Schonbrunn’s golden age, court architect Nikolaus von Pacassi finished construction, finishing around 1749. The 1000 room palace sitting on 500 acres was considered the center of court and political life of 18th century Austria.
Historical Figures of Schönbrunn
Maria Theresa – It’s the amazing story of the colorful empress, who lived here during the 18th known as Maria Theresa, that most fascinates visitors to Schönbrunn Palace. Considered the “first lady of Europe” during the 18th century, Maria Theresa (1717-1780) was responsible for bringing compulsory education to Austria’s school children and was the mother of 16 children. If that isn’t enough to make her a saint, then consider how she had a philandering husband, Francis Stephan, who had mistress with whom he fathered an additional l6 offspring. When her husband died, she not only forgave his mistress and also took care of her. Napoleon Bonaparte – Napoleon, France’s military emperor of 1804, spent two brief stays in Vienna in 1805 and 1809. Emperor Franz Joseph – Much loved by his people, Emperor Franz Joseph, who reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born at Schönbrunn and lived there most o his life. “Sissi”, wife of Franz Josef – “Sissi”, whose real name was Elizabeth, was known for her obsession for a pencil-sized waist was believed to have an eating disorder. It’s said she only ate strained raw beef juice to stay thin.
Schonbrunn Palace Tour Features
Young Mozart included in a painting – Although Maria Theresa comes close to being saint, visitors to the palace learn she was also human. Palace guides note that Maria was so fond of prolific composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) that she actually had the young boy painted him into her son’s, Joseph II’s wedding reception painting. However, Mozart couldn’t attended the festivities because he could not have been the age of the young lad in the painting.
The turning foot – Emperor Franz II, the emperor who never appears happy in any of his palace portraits, seems to have a turning foot in a particular life-size painting by artist Friedrich Amerling. Tourists are stunned to see his right foot appear to turn, only to realize it’s an optical illusion.
The Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
Since the gardens at Schönbrunn Palace first opened to the public around 1779 they’ve remained a popular recreational spot for not only eastern Europeans, but are visited from people around the world.
When you visit this elegant site you not only receive tidbits of historical information but you actually go back in time yourself, imaging what it must have felt like to be a guest at the palace. Experiences such as these remain in your memories for a lifetime.
