As a young girl, Maria Theresa took over the Schoenbrunn estate from her father, Charles V, who had mostly used is as a pheasant hunting preserve. Thus began the glorious era of the castle and the park. It is one of the most beautiful in Europe, modelled after the French baroque ones. Although it has no historical significance worth mentioning, I have always been intrigued by the stories and anecdotes of all kinds of shenanigans of court ladies and various princes.

The park at Schönbrunn Palace was opened to the public around 1779 and since then has provided a popular recreational amenity for the Viennese population as well as being a focus of great cultural and historical interest for international visitors. Extending for 1.2 km from east to west and approximately one kilometre from north to south, it was placed together with the palace on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1996.

Even today, on this warm Sunday in the middle of September, there are white frocks and veils fluttering on the shadowy paths… or it may just be Chinese tourists… Maria Theresa must be turning in her grave. I don’t think this is how she pictured her favourite park. Full of couples and burghers from all over the world, fencing with selfie sticks to get a better photo.

The park gates are opened at 6.30 am.
You can enter the Palace Park free of charge during opening hours. If you wish to visit the special attractions at Schönbrunn, such as the Privy Garden, the Orangery Garden or the Maze, you will need to purchase individual admission tickets.

Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, including public holidays,
Tip: Pre-book an online ticket to avoid queues at the ticket office.

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