Difference between revisions of "Schonbrunn Palace" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox World Heritage Site
 
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
 
| WHS        = Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn
 
| WHS        = Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn
| Image      = [[Image:Schloß Schönbrunn.jpg|400px]]
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| Image      = [[Image:Schloß Schönbrunn.jpg|300px]]
 
| State Party = {{AUT}}
 
| State Party = {{AUT}}
 
| Type        = Cultural
 
| Type        = Cultural
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'''Schönbrunn Palace''' ({{lang-de|Schloss Schönbrunn}}) in [[Vienna]] is one of the most important cultural monuments in [[Austria]] and since the 1860s has also been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. [[UNESCO]] catalogued it together with its gardens as a World Heritage site as a remarkable [[Baroque]] ensemble and example of synthesis of the arts (''[[Gesamtkunstwerk]]''). The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive [[Habsburg]] monarchs.
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'''Schönbrunn Palace''' in [[Vienna]] is one of the most important cultural monuments in [[Austria]] and onw of Europes most popular tourist attractions. [[UNESCO]] catalogued it as a [[World Heritage Site]], as a remarkable [[Baroque]] example of synthesis of the arts. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive [[Habsburg]] monarchs.
  
Schönbrunn was built to be on a par with the Palace of Versailles in terms of Baroque beauty as well as cultural and political significance, but the House of Habsburg did not have the resources to outdo its rival, France. In earlier times, Schönbrunn served as summer place of residence for the various Habsburg rulers, who used it as a base to exert their power across Europe. Emperor Franz Joseph (ruled: 1848-1916), was born there in 1830 while spending the last years of his life exclusively in Schönbrunn. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new republic.
+
Schönbrunn was built to be on a par with the [[Palace of Versailles]] in terms of Baroque beauty as well as cultural and political significance, but the House of Habsburg did not have the resources to outdo its French rival. In earlier times, Schönbrunn served as summer place of residence for the various Habsburg rulers, who used it as a base to exert their power across Europe. Emperor [[Franz Joseph]] (ruled: 1848-1916), was born there in 1830 and spent the last years of his life exclusively in Schönbrunn. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new Austrian republic.
  
 
There are public tours of the palace residence itself, providing the opportunity to see the exquisite apartments of Maria Theresia, her sitting rooms, bedroom, and the parlor in which the six-year-old Mozart used to play for the Empress. Also can be seen the parlors and apartments of Imperial couple Franz Joseph and his queen, Sissi. Many of Schonbrunn's 1441 room are festooned with frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, huge mirrors, and gilded ornaments.  
 
There are public tours of the palace residence itself, providing the opportunity to see the exquisite apartments of Maria Theresia, her sitting rooms, bedroom, and the parlor in which the six-year-old Mozart used to play for the Empress. Also can be seen the parlors and apartments of Imperial couple Franz Joseph and his queen, Sissi. Many of Schonbrunn's 1441 room are festooned with frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, huge mirrors, and gilded ornaments.  
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The palace grounds are equally magnificent, with a Tirolian garden complete with original hut, orchard, and pasture farm. There is also a palm house with three climate zones, including plants brought in from rain forests from all the continents.  
 
The palace grounds are equally magnificent, with a Tirolian garden complete with original hut, orchard, and pasture farm. There is also a palm house with three climate zones, including plants brought in from rain forests from all the continents.  
  
The palace, itself, draws some 1.5 million visitors annually. The park and all the other attractions at Schönbrunn together attract an additional 5.2 million visitors each year, with a grand total of 6.7 million visitors to the imposing palace complex each year
+
The palace alone draws some 1.5 million visitors annually. The park and all the other attractions at Schönbrunn together attract an additional 5.2 million visitors each year, with a grand total of 6.7 million visitors to the imposing palace complex each year.
  
 
==Early history==
 
==Early history==
 
[[Image:Schloss Schoenbrunn Gloriette DSC02028.JPG|thumb|250px|The [[Gloriette]] at the top of the hill behind the palace|left]]
 
[[Image:Schloss Schoenbrunn Gloriette DSC02028.JPG|thumb|250px|The [[Gloriette]] at the top of the hill behind the palace|left]]
In the year 1569, [[Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]] purchased the [[Katterburg]], which was located on a large area between [[Meidling]] and [[Hietzing]], where today Schönbrunn's parks and various buildings are situated. He showed interest in the newly founded [[zoo]], the [[Tiergarten Schönbrunn]], and tried to establish not only a systematic maintenance of wild animals, but also a [[plantation]] of rare and exotic plants. Maximilian II is justifiably called the creator of [[Schönbrunn's garden arrangement]].
+
In the year 1569, Holy Roman Emperor [[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]] purchased the Katterburg, located on a large area between Meidling and Hietzing, where today Schönbrunn's parks and various buildings are situated. He showed interest in the newly founded [[zoo]], knoqn A the ''Tiergarten Schönbrunn'', and tried to establish not only a systematic maintenance of wild animals, but also a [[plantation]] of rare and exotic plants. Maximilian II is justifiably called the creator of Schönbrunn's garden arrangement.
  
The new name, ''Schönbrunn'' ("beautiful well"), has its roots in a well from which water was consumed by the royal court in Vienna. During the next century many members of the royal family of Austria spent their summer vacations and hunting excursions in the Katterburg. In the days of the Turkish sieges the Katterburg was nearly destroyed and it appeared to be impossible to restore the castle.
+
The new name, ''Schönbrunn'' ("beautiful well"), has its roots in a well from which water was consumed by the royal court in [[Vienna]]. During the next century many members of the royal family of Austria spent their summer vacations and hunting excursions in the Katterburg. In the days of the Turkish sieges the Katterburg was nearly destroyed and it appeared to be impossible to restore the castle.
  
 
== Modern palace ==
 
== Modern palace ==
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A public [[maze]] is located in the wide gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. A fee allows entrance to the maze, as well as to a set of other outdoor puzzles, including a math game and a series of fountains.
 
A public [[maze]] is located in the wide gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. A fee allows entrance to the maze, as well as to a set of other outdoor puzzles, including a math game and a series of fountains.
  
==Gallery==
 
{{Wide image|Schloss Schönbrunn Ehrenhof.jpg|2500px|Panorama Schloss Schönbrunn}}
 
  
<gallery>
 
Image:Wien Schoenbrunn Rueckseite.jpg|Schönbrunn Palace, as seen from the gardens
 
Image:Vena_11.jpg|The Gloriette at the top of the hill behind the palace
 
Image:Schonbrunn gardens.JPG|The gardens and the Gloriette
 
Image:Vena_04.jpg|Palm pavilion (orangerie) in garden
 
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Sculptures in the Schönbrunn Garden==
 
==Sculptures in the Schönbrunn Garden==

Revision as of 16:57, 4 July 2007


Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Schloß Schönbrunn.jpg
State Party Flag of Austria Austria
Type Cultural
Criteria i, iv
Reference 786
Region** Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1996  (20th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria and onw of Europes most popular tourist attractions. UNESCO catalogued it as a World Heritage Site, as a remarkable Baroque example of synthesis of the arts. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.

Schönbrunn was built to be on a par with the Palace of Versailles in terms of Baroque beauty as well as cultural and political significance, but the House of Habsburg did not have the resources to outdo its French rival. In earlier times, Schönbrunn served as summer place of residence for the various Habsburg rulers, who used it as a base to exert their power across Europe. Emperor Franz Joseph (ruled: 1848-1916), was born there in 1830 and spent the last years of his life exclusively in Schönbrunn. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new Austrian republic.

There are public tours of the palace residence itself, providing the opportunity to see the exquisite apartments of Maria Theresia, her sitting rooms, bedroom, and the parlor in which the six-year-old Mozart used to play for the Empress. Also can be seen the parlors and apartments of Imperial couple Franz Joseph and his queen, Sissi. Many of Schonbrunn's 1441 room are festooned with frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, huge mirrors, and gilded ornaments.

The palace grounds are equally magnificent, with a Tirolian garden complete with original hut, orchard, and pasture farm. There is also a palm house with three climate zones, including plants brought in from rain forests from all the continents.

The palace alone draws some 1.5 million visitors annually. The park and all the other attractions at Schönbrunn together attract an additional 5.2 million visitors each year, with a grand total of 6.7 million visitors to the imposing palace complex each year.

Early history

The Gloriette at the top of the hill behind the palace

In the year 1569, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II purchased the Katterburg, located on a large area between Meidling and Hietzing, where today Schönbrunn's parks and various buildings are situated. He showed interest in the newly founded zoo, knoqn A the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, and tried to establish not only a systematic maintenance of wild animals, but also a plantation of rare and exotic plants. Maximilian II is justifiably called the creator of Schönbrunn's garden arrangement.

The new name, Schönbrunn ("beautiful well"), has its roots in a well from which water was consumed by the royal court in Vienna. During the next century many members of the royal family of Austria spent their summer vacations and hunting excursions in the Katterburg. In the days of the Turkish sieges the Katterburg was nearly destroyed and it appeared to be impossible to restore the castle.

Modern palace

File:Vena 10.jpg
Roman ruins in garden (photo 2004)

Emperor Leopold I gave architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach the order to design a new palace. His first draft was a very utopian one, dealing with different antique and contemporary ideals. His second draft showed a smaller and more realistic building. Construction began 1696, and after three years the first festivities were held in the newly built, middle part of the palace.

Schönbrunn from the front side, painted by Canaletto in 1758

Not many parts of the first palace survived the next century because every emperor added or altered a bit on the inner and outer parts of the building. By order of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, the architect Nicolò Pacassi reshaped Schönbrunn Palace in the style of the Rococo era. At the end of the so-called Theresianian epoch, Schönbrunn Palace was a vigorous center of Austria's empire and the imperial family.

In the ninetenth century one name is closely connected with Schönbrunn's, Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. He spent the majority of his life here, and died on November 21, 1916 in his sleeping room. Through the course of his reign, Schönbrunn Palace was seen as a Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) and remodelled in accordance with its history.

The palace complex includes sets of faux Roman ruins and an orangerie, a botanical garden, staple luxuries of European palaces of its type.

Recent history

After the downfall of the monarchy in 1918, the newly founded Austrian Republic became the owner of Schönbrunn Palace and preserved the beautiful rooms and chambers as a museum for the visitors. In the twentieth century, the palace was used several times for important events such as the historical meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev in the year 1961. UNESCO placed Schönbrunn Palace on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1996.

A public maze is located in the wide gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. A fee allows entrance to the maze, as well as to a set of other outdoor puzzles, including a math game and a series of fountains.


Sculptures in the Schönbrunn Garden

File:GroParterre.jpg
Location of the sculptures

The sculptures in the Schönbrunn garden were generally made between 1773 and 1780 under the the direction of William Beyer. During the execution, many sculptors were employed, among them Johann Baptist Hagenauer.

The numbering shows the situation of the statues.

Left Side

Sculptures in the Schönbrunn Garden
N01Artemisia.jpg N02Kalliope.jpg N03Brutus-u-Lucretia.jpg N04Ceres-u-Bacchus.jpg N05Flucht-a-Troja.jpg N06Angerona.jpg
1 Artemisia II of Caria wife of Mausolus 2 Calliope, muse of poetry 3 Brutus holds the dagger in the hand, with which Lucretia committed suicide. 4 Ceres the goddess of the agriculture, the marriage and death and Bacchus, the God of the viticulture and the vegetation. 5 Aeneas escape from Troy 6 Angerona
N07Jason.jpg N08Aspasia.jpg N09Omphale.jpg N10Nymphe-d-Flora.jpg N11Bacchantin.jpg N12Apollo.jpg
7 Jason, He robbed the golden fleece with the Argonauten. 8 Aspasia, Greek Philosopher and the second wife of Pericles 9 Omphale 10 Flora's Nymph 11 Bacchante 12 Apollo
N13Hygieia.jpg N14Vestalin.jpg N15Paris.jpg N16Hannibal.jpg
13 Hygieia godness of health. 14 Vestal Virgin 15 Paris 16 Hannibal

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Glaser, Joseph. Schonbrunn Palace, The Administration of Schonbrunn Palace, 1962. ASIN B000S3984S
  • Schmitt, Friedrich. Schonbrunn Palace: A Guide to the Palace and Park, Schlosshauptmannschaft Schonbrunn, 1979. ASIN B000K6XKE2
  • Schonbrunn Palace. Schonbrunn, Verlag der osterbreichischen, 1978. ASIN B000REE6Z4
  • Viault, Birdsall. Modern European History, McGraw-Hill, 1990. ISBN 978-0070674530

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