Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna

The Schonbrunn Palace was one of the many impressive buildings that we visited in Vienna. It served as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs monarchs for some generations since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa.

We didn’t have enough time to go inside the palace but we managed to spend some time strolling around the extensive gardens and grounds.

The palace's vast complex include the Gloriette, Palmenhaus, Dessert house, mazes, Roman ruins, English and French gardens, countless sculptures, an orangery and the Schonbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world.

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This is where the amazing Empress Maria Theresa lived with her 16 children and her husband Emperor Francis 1. After the downfall of the Hapsburgs dynasty in 1918, the newly founded Austrian Republic became the owner of Schonbrunn Palace and preserved the beautiful rooms and chambers as a museum for the visitors.



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I was told that the palace was painted yellow because it was the Empress's favourite colour. There are 1,441 rooms, mostly rented-out for conferences or concerts but only 40 rooms are open to the public



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I love the ornate railings lining the stairways


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These grounds are accessorized with Roman ruins and statues of several Greek and Roman gods.


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The view of Great Parterre on to the Gloriette. The Gloriette, at the far end of the palace sits above a hilltop overlooking the garden, palace and the grounds. The garden was perfectly symmetric and a joy to look at. I wish I could’ve gone up close to it but when I approached the gardens, it started to get pretty chilly, making it difficult to really walk around.

My World

Ruby Tuesday

29 comments:

  1. that is beautiful. imagine all those rooms. the view from the garden does give the impression of a chilly day.

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  2. What a marvelous tour! In spite of the time I lived in Europe and the amount of traveling we did, we didn't get to Vienna and I had always wanted to see The Schonbrunn Palace! Your photos are the next best thing! And I have enjoyed them so much! Thank you for sharing them! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  3. From sculpture to the gardens, someday I like to visit Vienna...
    Thanks for these pictures.

    Best wishes
    Wong

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  4. somehow while looking at the first photograph, i imagined how it would be during winter. the view must be magnificent!

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  5. I was so blessed to be able to go to the palace 30 years ago. I was even luckier because I was a guest of the Nation and I was able to see what the tourist never can see. I personally like this building more than The Great V. out side of Paris

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  6. Beautiful shots of the palace. It is very huge with beautiful garden.

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  7. Looks beautiful. I am sure the inside it also stunning.

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  8. Fantastic photos!
    The place looks absolutely gorgeous!

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  9. Agreed that it's a beautiful palace. It was modelled after Versailles in France, as with many European palaces of the time.

    And the yellow paint is called Hapsburg Yellow due to its association with the monarchy. And I personally love this shade of yellow!

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  10. The garden looks just as impressive as the Palace. You'd get lost in the Palace with all those rooms if you didn't know your way around.

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  11. Gorgeous. They did know how to build, didn't they?

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  12. colossal edifice, indeed. yellow brings warmth, maybe that's why the empress chose the color.

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  13. impressive! and too big even for 16 children and 1 husband.:p the museum inside must be beautiful, too. marvelous shots.

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  14. Wowie 1441 rooms, one could get lost inside the palace. tQ

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  15. That one red coat I see at the fountain plaza really stands out....that one photo is super. All your photos are super.

    Come visit me today...I have special Ruby Red Earrings to show off for Tuesday.

    Here's the direct link:
    My Ruby Tuesday

    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/for-want-of-title-earrings-appear.html

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  16. The statue is probably melted down by now...but hopefully not. Looks like a wonderful piece of art!


    http://londoniscool.com

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  17. I know Vienna well, Life Ramblings. Among your pictures, I likd especially the staircase and the last one, with Gloriette. I also have a postcard looking very much alike.

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  18. What lovely photos of the most beautiful architecture and buildings!

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  19. You must have died! What a great place to visit! Can you just imagine having 1441 rooms? Lots of kids or not that seems crazy to have! I'm so obsessed with Greek and Roman ruins. It's so amazing to think that they were big world powers contributing so much to the modern world, but so so long ago. Amazing!

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  20. I've always wished I could visit Schonbrunn Palace since I have heard so much about it. Thank you for taking us with you on your visit to the grounds.

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  21. so beautiful... and i love the colorful garden :)

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  22. I love Vienna. Thanks for sharing these image
    Wonderful and perfect picture.
    Have a nice night
    minu

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  23. I almost.. almost moved to Vienna when I was a little girl...but then my Dad got transferred to Canada instead... so have yet to visit this awesome place ... one fine day.. :):):)

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  24. My fave is the last pic.. pink does make a pretty colour for flowers, love it! :)

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