Vienna Zoo
View
through the avenue to the castle Schoenbrunn
Sandwalk, trees left and right
The Vienna Zoo in the park Schoenbrunn is the oldest still existing zoo of
the world. Read about the
History
The Vienna Zoo is the oldest existing zoo of the world. It was
constructed by Jean Nicolas Jadot in 1751 by order of Kaiser Franz I. The
building of a menagerie was necessary, because the emperors were swamped
again and again with presents of friendly ruling dynasties. So for example
the Turkish embassador handed a camel in 1740, the Dutch gave 1750 a rhino.
Astrology and cabbalistic
The plant is laid out after astrological calculations as well as
cabbalistic numeric games. The octagonal pavilion in the center symbolizes
the sun, the 12 animal's boxes ("Logen") symbolize the twelve signs of the
zodiac. In the thirteenth box there is the zoo's administration. Three
streets lead to the center of the menagerie in that way, that the triangle
formed by these streets lead to Kaiser's pavilion.
Breakfast and philosopher's stone
The central pavilion was used originally as breakfast-pavilion. Thus
interesting the frescos on the ceiling by Vincenz Fischer. The mirrors were
placed that way, that the room was lighted brightly also on cloudy days. The
twelve Oil-paintings in doors and windows show those thirty animals, which
were at the menagerie to the this time. The four stairs symbolize to the
four directions (north, east, south and west), they have per nine steps (the
number nine is a symbol for perfection and intelligence). Under the pavilion
there was a laboratory, which had to investigate for philosopher's stone by
order of the emperors Kaiser Franz Stephan. With a philosopher's stone they
should be able to turn ignoble metal into noble. After an 8 years
construction this pavilion was completed.
Animals instead of Paganini
1779 the zoo was opened for visitors. The success was so overwhelming,
that even the famous fiddler Paganini 1828 had to cancel a concert, because
the Viennese rather visited the zoo. 1921 the menagerie should be closed
forever, however a citizens action organized donations for the benefit of
the zoo. In the course of time the boxes and cages were adjusted to the
needs of the animals. The zoo was expanded and reconstructed continuously.
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