One of the most renowned Baroque structures in Europe, Schönbrunn Palace began life as a hunting lodge during the 16th century, but was turned into a lavish palace by the Empress Maria Theresa in 1750. Home to the Hapsburg emperors from the 18th century to 1918, the palace was built by the architects Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Nicolaus Pacassi. A tour offers visitors the chance to admire the site's opulent elegance, including the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery, and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart played. The Baroque grounds of the palace include a Privy Garden, Tiergarten (a zoo dating from 1752), the Neptune Fountain, the Gloriette, and a reproduction of a maze that was created at the beginning of the 18th century.

Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur und Betriebs GmbH, Schloss Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna, Austria
Tel: (01) 811 130.
Website: www.schoenbrunn.at

Air: Vienna International Airport. Rail: Train: Schönbrunn Station. Underground: Schönbrunn (U4). Tram: 10 and 58. Road: Bus: Public services to Schönbrunn. Car: Ostautobahn from the airport towards Vienna, then the A23 (Sudosttangente) towards Graz (Altmannsdorf exit).

Vienna, Austria, Vienna