RonnieAdventures: RonnieAdventure #0732 - Schonbrunn Gardens and Zoo, Vienna, Austria

The Baroque Privy Garden (also known as the Crown Prince's Garden) at Schonbrunn was built in 1745 during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. It was designed in a symmetrical layout featuring boxwood hedges, flower beds, decorative gravel patterns, and a central fountain that reflected the style of 18th-century Baroque landscape design.

Originally, the garden was reserved for the exclusive use of the imperial family as a private retreat away from the more public section of the estate, but is now open to the general public. (The red dot on the map below is the courtyard in front of Schonbrunn Palace; the light green area adjacent to the palace is the Privy Garden; the mauve-colored area is the zoo; and the dark green area is an additional garden area.)

Picture by Kolohe

The Palm House (Palmenhaus Schonbrunn, a historic greenhouse) is a large conservatory completed in 1882. It is one of the largest greenhouse structures of its kind in Europe and contains tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean plants. In Europe, especially for historic structures like Vienna's Palm Houses, "Palm House" is simply a specific type of conservatory devoted primarily to palms and other exotic plants.

Picture by Kolohe

In 1913, a Japanese Landscape Garden was built just south of the Palm House and was intended to be viewed from the perimeter, but not entered. However, over several decades, the garden became overgrown with ivy until its original design was no longer recognizable.

It wasn't until 1996 that a Japanese visitor recognized the area as an example of Far Eastern design. Over the next three years, historical records were followed, and the garden was restored to its original design.

In the landscape garden, called Kare-sansui, natural stones are used to represent a crane and a turtle - creatures that symbolize longevity in East Asian culture.

Picture by Kolohe

Located just south of the Japanese Landscape Garden is Schonbrunn Palace Zoo, the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world. It was founded in 1752 by Emperor Francis I, the husband of Empress Maria Theresa.

The zoo began as a small imperial menagerie where exotic animals were kept for the royal family, but it now houses over 750 different species. It is internationally recognized for its breeding and conservation programs, particularly its success with the endangered giant panda. It is one of the few zoos outside of China to have a successful giant panda breeding program.

Picture by Kolohe

The Zoo's east exit is near the Neptune Fountain, which is located between Gloriette Hill and the Palace along the symmetrical centerline of the Privy Garden. It was completed around 1780 during the reign of Maria Theresa and depicts Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, standing in a shell chariot with the sea nymph Thetis, surrounded by tritons and other sea deities.

Picture by Kolohe

Located between the Neptune Fountain and the Palace is a collection of classical sculptures inspired by ancient mythology. The statues representing gods, goddesses, heroes, and allegorical themes were chosen to symbolize virtues valued by the Habsburg family, including wisdom, strength, beauty, abundance, and harmony. Their placement among the geometric garden designs created a connection between nature, art, and classical civilization.

Picture by Kolohe

Instead of following the path to the main exit, we wandered around the east side of the palace and discovered another garden. After passing through a series of long covered areas, we finally found an exit gate that connected to the street leading back to the U-Bahn station.

Picture by Kolohe

RonnieAdventures

Friday, July 24, 2026

RonnieAdventure #0732 - Schonbrunn Gardens and Zoo, Vienna, Austria

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