Schonbrunn Palace

Originally planned as a residence for Emperor Joseph I, it was converted into a cosy summer residence for her family by Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century. The castle was named after a statement made by Emperor Matthias in 1619. According to legend, he discovered an artesian spring while hunting on the grounds and is said to have exclaimed enthusiastically: "What a beautiful fountain!"

During the reign of Maria Theresa, the palace and park were remodelled and extended to their present form by the architects Nikolaus von Pacassi and Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg. From the middle of the 18th century until the end of the First World War, Schönbrunn served as a summer residence for the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian imperial family. The palace housed a large court and developed into a cultural and political centre of the Habsburg Empire. During the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, it was also known as the "k. k. pleasure palace Schönbrunn".

Today, Schönbrunn is the largest palace in Austria and is one of the country's most visited tourist attractions. Both the palace and the 160-hectare park were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The palace park is also home to the oldest zoo in the world, the Schönbrunn Zoo. The palace and park are therefore not only historically significant, but also a major attraction for visitors from all over the world.

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