The History of Schönbrunn Palace
From Maria Theresa's golden court and the boy Mozart to Franz Joseph and Sisi — the story of the Habsburgs' summer palace.
Schönbrunn took its golden form under Empress Maria Theresa in the mid-eighteenth century, who made the former hunting grounds into the family home and the stage of her court. Under her, the palace became the beating heart of the Habsburg empire — and it was here, in the Hall of Mirrors, that the boy Mozart played for the empress in 1762.
Franz Joseph, Sisi and the long imperial sunset
The palace's most famous residents came later: Emperor Franz Joseph, who reigned for sixty-eight years over the long sunset of the monarchy, was born at Schönbrunn in 1830 and died here in 1916. His apartments, and those of his wife Elisabeth — the beloved 'Sisi' — are preserved on the Grand Tour route. The Congress of Vienna danced in these halls, and the last Habsburg emperor signed away his rule here in 1918.
A Baroque masterpiece and World Heritage Site
One of Europe's best-preserved Baroque ensembles, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996 as an outstanding princely residence and a symbol of Habsburg power.
Frequently asked
Who built Schönbrunn Palace?
The palace took its golden form under Empress Maria Theresa in the mid-18th century, who made it the Habsburg family home and the heart of her court. The boy Mozart famously played for her here in 1762.
Why is Schönbrunn famous?
It was the Habsburgs' summer residence and an imperial seat for centuries; Emperor Franz Joseph was born and died here, and his wife Sisi lived here. It is one of Europe's best-preserved Baroque palaces, UNESCO-listed since 1996.