Private Tour: Half-Day History of Schönbrunn Palace
33 Ratings
- Live Guide
- Pickup Service
- Private Tour
- E-Ticket
- 3 hr
Explore the house and gardens of the jewel in Vienna’s crown on this private half-day Schönbrunn Palace tour. Choose a morning or afternoon tour, then follow a private guide through UNESCO–listed Schönbrunn Palace’s beautiful gardens. Admire sweeping views from the Gloriette, then head inside — where the opulent Hall of Ceremonies, the Porcelain Room, the Millions Room, and the Millions Chamber await. Along the way, admire the palace’s beautiful interior and gain insight into the House of Habsburg — once one of Europe’s most powerful monarchies.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Insight Cities
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Schonbrunner Gardens
We begin our encounter with the astonishing High Baroque Schönbrunn Palace (built to rival Versailles) with a stroll through the magnificent formal gardens, exploring the Baroque landscaping principle of interlaced nature and architecture that is illustrated everywhere in the layout of the grounds. Approaching the Gloriette, a huge triumphal arch situated on a hilltop with panoramic views of Vienna’s woods, we recall the military victories that made Empress Maria Theresa’s reign (1740-1780) a highpoint of the Habsburg dynasty’s political and cultural dominance in Europe. The park was opened not only to the court but to the general public from 1779, a populist gesture that reveals Maria Theresa’s canny charm offensive towards her subjects. Indeed, it was under Maria Theresa’s direction that Schönbrunn Palace became the focal point of Austria’s imperial policy and the centre of court life.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Schonbrunn Palace
Generations of Habsburg rulers put their stamp on Schönbrunn. Visiting one lavish room after another gives us an ample sense of the opulence of this family: The dining room with precious tableware and “imperial napkins” in the form of a “fleur de lys” witnessed countless state dinners; the Hall of Ceremonies records the pompous Baroque celebrations it hosted, such as the wedding of Crown Prince Joseph, depicted in a series of scenes by court painter Martin van Meytens; the so-called “Porcelain Room” (office of Maria Theresa), completely done in imitation of precious china with orientalist drawings drafted by the imperial children. The unique “Millions Room” owes its name to a fabulous price in gold ducats paid for it.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop At: Schonbrunner Gardens
We begin our encounter with the astonishing High Baroque Schönbrunn Palace (built to rival Versailles) with a stroll through the magnificent formal gardens, exploring the Baroque landscaping principle of interlaced nature and architecture that is illustrated everywhere in the layout of the grounds. Approaching the Gloriette, a huge triumphal arch situated on a hilltop with panoramic views of Vienna’s woods, we recall the military victories that made Empress Maria Theresa’s reign (1740-1780) a highpoint of the Habsburg dynasty’s political and cultural dominance in Europe. The park was opened not only to the court but to the general public from 1779, a populist gesture that reveals Maria Theresa’s canny charm offensive towards her subjects. Indeed, it was under Maria Theresa’s direction that Schönbrunn Palace became the focal point of Austria’s imperial policy and the centre of court life.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Schonbrunn Palace
Generations of Habsburg rulers put their stamp on Schönbrunn. Visiting one lavish room after another gives us an ample sense of the opulence of this family: The dining room with precious tableware and “imperial napkins” in the form of a “fleur de lys” witnessed countless state dinners; the Hall of Ceremonies records the pompous Baroque celebrations it hosted, such as the wedding of Crown Prince Joseph, depicted in a series of scenes by court painter Martin van Meytens; the so-called “Porcelain Room” (office of Maria Theresa), completely done in imitation of precious china with orientalist drawings drafted by the imperial children. The unique “Millions Room” owes its name to a fabulous price in gold ducats paid for it.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
