Schönbrunn Palace (German: Schloß Schönbrunn) - Vienna residence of Austrian Emperors, one of the most important Austrian baroque architecture (architect - Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach ).
Schönbrunn is located in the western part of Vienna in the Hietzing .In December 1996 , at the 20th session of the World Heritage Committee , Schönbrunn was included in the List of World Heritage Sites . The list included both the palace and park , with its many fountains and statues , Gloriette and Roman ruins , and the zoo - the oldest in the world.
The first mention of construction on the site of today's palace date from XIV century. The estate was located here , called Kattenburg (Katterburg) and was the property of Klosternoyburgskogo (Klosterneuburg) monastery. At that time Kattenburg was a house , water mill, stables and gardens. In 1569 moved to Kattenburg Habsburg possession.
The Emperor Matthias, according to legend, during a hunt in 1612 came across the beautiful sources (Schoene Brunnen), which later gave the name of the current Palace.
The Emperor Ferdinand II, and his wife , Eleonora Gonzaga, who loved hunting, Schonbrunn chosen as the venue for hunting parties.After the death of Ferdinand in 1637 , his widow moved into the castle and renamed it to Schonbrunn .
In 1683 the castle suffered during the siege of Vienna by the Turks. Emperor Leopold I decided to rebuild the ruined castle and in 1696, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach began building , modeled on the Versailles Palace.Most of the work was completed in 1713, but construction was not completed.
at Schönbrunn Maria Theresa.
In 1728 , Emperor Charles VI and later acquired the Schönbrunn gave it to his daughter, Maria Theresa, Empress of the future . Maria Theresa's reign was crucial in the history of the castle.It is known that she admired the castle and its gardens , making Schönbrunn in the center of political and court life .
In 1742 and 1743 construction resumed, and the building was renovated , giving its present form the palace . At the request of the Empress in the north wing of the palace was built theater, which officially opened in 1747.Among the singers and actors who performed in theater, there were numerous children of the Empress. Maria Theresa herself is also demonstrated his talent singer.
In 1752, husband of Maria Theresa , Emperor Franz I, established near the palace Schönbrunn Zoo , which is today the oldest in the world.
After the death of Maria Theresa, Schönbrunn Palace was used only as a summer residence of the emperors.
XIX-XX centuries.
In 1805 and 1809 the palace served twice Napoleon. The French Emperor was placed in the memorial room of Franz I Stephan, in the east wing of the palace. In the same section of the palace in 1830 Franz Joseph was born .
ascent to the throne , Franz Joseph in 1848 marked a remarkable new era in the history of the castle. The emperor chose Schönbrunn as his main residence and held it for most of his life.
Significant changes in the castle were made during the preparations for the marriage of Emperor Franz Josef on the duchess Elizabeth of Bavaria .
In 1945, part of the castle was damaged by bombing . After the war, British commanders chose the palace as his headquarters.
In 1992 Schönbrunn (except for the gardens of the palace) is operated by Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur-und BetriebsGmbH, which will guarantee the efficient management and an extensive program of renovation and preservation of the building.
Today, the castle has rooms of various sizes in 1441 .190 rooms, which do not belong to the museum, are leased to private individuals. Open to visitors only forty rooms.
After the fall of the monarchy in Austria Vienna, the population has decided that the park of Schönbrunn is a very attractive place to relax and walks.Soon the park and the palace were opened to the public , attracting more than six million annual visitors (of which 1.5 million - the visitors of the castle) . The palace with all the surrounding territories is an important tourist complex which includes the entire tourism industry of the city.
.
