Palace Schoenbrunn
The
residence of Kaiser
The entrance from the bridge Schlossbruecke
The monarchy residence with remarkable park.
History
At the edge the river Wien and amid from forests and meadows stood in
the a farmyard in the 14th century, namely the Kattermuehle (Katter-mill).
Emperor Maximilian II acquired this court 1569 and redesigned it to a
hunting castle, which was destroyed by the Hungarian prince Stephan Bocskaj.
Emperor Mathias set up this building in the year 1614 again. He also is
responsible for the name Schoenbrunn: At the hunt he discovered a spring. He
edged it and called it "Schoener Brunnen (beautiful fountain)" or shortly "Schoenbrunn".
This fountain can still be seen today in the garden, it is furnished with a
nymph. At the 2nd siege 1683 the Turks destroyed the castle, a renovation
was not possible after that.
Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach drafted by order of emperor Leopold I. a
new hunting castle. This should placed on the present Gloriette - hill. The
project was never realized. Instead of it the symmetrical central building
was constructed with two Seitenrisaliten and two Seitentrakten as well as
the Ehrenhof on the city's side and the magnificent garden on the other
side. At the April 28, 1700 the court drew in officially. The castle was
still unfinished. 1737 nearly the decay, which could be prevented with
putting on a high roof.
Empress Maria Theresia (1717-1780) gave order for redesigning the castle to
a summer-residence to Nikolaus Pacassi and Valmagini. So the wonderful
outside staircase was constructed in 1743-1749, the large and small gallery,
where events occurred and the castle's theatre. The menagerie was opened
1751. It originally was dedicated for the emperor for the amusement. Today
the Viennese zoo is housed there. 1775 the Gloriette was constructed and
1781 in the foot of the hill of the Neptune - fountain. In world war II
Schoenbrunn was damaged heavily. After the war the castle and the garden was
reconstructed.
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