Continuing on from the previous post on Austria, I guess the main attraction in Vienna is the Schoenbrunn Palace. This summer palace occupied by the Habsburg monarchy has 1400 rooms!!!!!
There's so much history just about this palace but the audio guide that we joined mainly focused on Maria Theresa, who is the Habsburg empire successor after her father, Charles VI, and who decided on strategic arranged marriage of her children for the better future of the countries and continents; Elisabeth, also fondly known as Sisi, wife to Franz Joseph and who hated her life being inside the palace that she became independent and always travelled on her own, leaving her husband feeling lonely and Franz Joseph himself who still worships his, Sisi, until his death although she wasn't with him most of the times.
Unfortunately, pictures weren't allowed to be taken inside the palace but I can tell you, the audio guide will definitely keep you busy enough. The decor inside the palace was so beautiful and everything was still maintained and set to how it was during the Habsburg monarchy times. The bed where Franz Joseph died, left a very great impression. This is the place where an audio self-guide must be taken or else one wouldn't appreciate the history and the place itself. There was also a painting where Mozart was a young boy sitting among the crowd, during an occasion, which I've forgotten.
Outside, the palace compound is so huge that it'll take a few hours to walk from one end to the other. It's no wonder that there are some horse carriages that will take you on a ride for a fee. I wonder what was the purpose of having such a beautiful and big garden when I doubt that the Emperor and Empress would walk around the garden and enjoy the flowers during Spring/Summer. Mind you, the time when we visited the place, it was summer and I was complaining the whole time how burning hot it was - even an umbrella wasn't suffice. I was feeling very agitated having to walk for a long distance in the hot sun. I was really praying that it would snow!!!
A long stretch of trees
Hiding in the shade. :P
Different species of flowers planted all together making it so colourful
Anyway, here are the pictures of the garden compound. Enjoy!
Standing outside the palace, you can see a long stretch of green grass, pretty flowers, fountains and then the monument sitting on the hill top
After walking so long, we are half way there. The palace from mid-way
And the fountain over the other side
Climbing up the hill and seeing the palace from higher grounds
See how far we've walked up!!!
Climbing up the hill, and we are almost there!
After walking for ages, this is the monument that we see
And we finally arrive! :)
This is one of the pillars at the stairs of the monument
From the monument, this is how far the palace is
I wouldn't visit this place again in summer and wouldn't recommend anyone to, unless they love the heat. However, this palace is a must-visit in Austria because it's just so beautiful! I think it can be comparable to the Summer Palace in Beijing (頤和園) although they each have their own nice architecture. :)
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