Vienna - Austria - page 164

Schloss Schönbrunn Gardens
MAP GOOGLE MAP

GARDEN

(13, Schloss Schönbrunn; 6am-dusk Apr-Oct, 6.30am-dusk Nov-Mar; Hietzing) The beauti-
fully tended formal gardens of the palace, arranged in the French style, are a symphony
of colour in summer and a combination of greys and browns in winter; all seasons are ap-
pealing in their own right. The grounds, which were opened to the public by Joseph II in
1779, hide a number of attractions in the tree-lined avenues (arranged according to a grid
and star-shaped system between 1750 and 1755). From 1772 to 1780 Ferdinand Hetzen-
dorf added some of the final touches to the park under the instructions of Joseph II: fake
Roman ruins MAP GOOGLE MAP in 1778; the Neptunbrunnen MAP GOOGLE MAP (Neptune Foun-
tain;) , a riotous ensemble from Greek mythology, in 1781; and the crowning glory, the
Gloriette MAP GOOGLE MAP (adult/child €3/2.20; 9am-5pm, closed early Nov-late Mar) in 1775. The
view from the Gloriette, looking back towards the palace with Vienna shimmering in the
distance, ranks among the best in the city. It's possible to venture onto its roof for mar-
ginally better views alfresco.
The original Schöner Brunnen MAP GOOGLE MAP (Fountain;) , from which the palace gained
its name, now pours through the stone pitcher of a nymph near the Roman ruins.
The garden's 630m-long maze MAP GOOGLE MAP (adult/child €3.50/2.20; 9am-6pm) is a clas-
sic hedge design based on the original maze that occupied its place from 1720 to 1892;
adjoining this is the labyrinth MAP GOOGLE MAP , a playground with games, climbing equip-
ment and a giant mirror kaleidoscope.
To the east of the palace is the Kronprinzengarten MAP GOOGLE MAP (Crown Prince Garden; adult/
child €3/2.20; 9am-5pm, closed early Nov-late Mar) , a replica of the baroque garden that occupied
the space around 1750. The gardens also harbour the world's oldest zoo, the Tiergarten
MAP GOOGLE MAP ( www.zoovienna.at ; adult/child €15/7;

) , founded in 1752, a

9am-6.30pm;

Wüstenhaus MAP GOOGLE MAP (Desert House; 877 92 940; 13, Maxingstrasse 13b; adult/child & student &

Hietzing) and Palmenhaus MAP GOOGLE MAP senior €4/2.50; 9am-6pm May-Sep, to 5pm Oct-Apr;

(Palm House; 13, Maxingstrasse 13b; admission €4; 9.30am-6pm May-Sep, to 5pm Oct-Apr; Hietzing,

10, 58, 60) .