The emperors and archdukes of the House of Austria have great weight and prominence in distinguished buildings in the country and in its capital, Vienna, where they left their legacy. Following the trail of the Habsburgs means visiting a good handful of museums and palaces that will transport you to distant times on a journey through history throughout the centuries. Take note of these five essential places, if you want to learn about its imperial heritage on your visit to the Austrian country.
Embark on a tour of the sumptuous halls of Schönbrunn Palace, the imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs. Discover the private chambers of the imperial couple formed by Francisco José I and Sisi, as well as the precious rooms from the time of María Teresa. The large gallery, the bath of the Empress Elisabeth, the room of Marie Antoinette or the porcelain room will also win you over. Stroll through the baroque palace gardens to the Gloriette temple and enjoy stunning panoramic views of Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace and the forested Wienerwald area.
The former summer residence of the Habsburgs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shines as Vienna's number one tourist attraction. Schönbrunn Palace was originally commissioned by Emperor Leopold I of Austria at the end of the 17th century from the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach as a hunting lodge and, almost 50 years later, was redesigned in the Rococo style as the summer residence of Maria Teresa. It was not until the late 19th century that it was inhabited year-round by Emperor Franz Joseph, who was born and died in the palace.
The residence enjoys a children's museum: an apartment furnished with landscape paintings by Johann Wenzel Bergl. The focus is on the life of the emperors' children at court, so little visitors can take part in imperial life and copy magnificent hairstyles, try on clothes and set a festive table. The gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace are already another story.
From the maze or 7,000 m2 of fun that takes you to a gazebo and two invigorating Harmony Stones, activated by Feng Shui masters, along alluring winding paths, to the maze, where all kinds of games await. , a huge kaleidoscope, climbing bars that make sounds and complex puzzles; or the Labyrinthikon, a playground created by Günter Beltzig where not only children have fun.
An impressive classicist colonnade stands majestically at the top of the hill in the imperial gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. Its grandiose architecture and rich sculptural decoration is not the only thing worth visiting. From the panoramic terrace you can enjoy a unique view of the entire gardens and a large part of Vienna. The views of Otto Wagner's Art Nouveau church in Steinhof alone are already an unforgettable memory.
Other of the most idyllic places in the gardens are the Kronprinzengarten (garden of the crown prince), on the east façade of the palace, and the Orangeriegarten (garden of the orangery), in front of the Orangerie building. The romantic arcades covered with ivy and wild vines give the first of them a particularly peaceful character. In the summer months, it becomes home to citrus trees of extraordinary beauty. In the Orangeriegarten you can embark on a journey through the culture of European gardens. In front of the Orangerie, you can admire exotic plants such as olive trees, myrtle and bitter orange trees.
In the middle of Vienna's 7th district, a complex of buildings from the Biedermeier period and turn of the century, connected by modern glass and steel construction, houses one of the world's largest museums of furniture art. The Vienna Furniture Museum impresses its visitors with the largest furniture collection in Austria.
Thousands of objects in this space tell the story of the Habsburg interior design culture, allow us to get an idea of the peculiarities of their owners and show the development of Austrian furniture production from the end of the monarchy to the present day. Furniture from the Sisi movies with Romy Schneider has been preserved in this former “paradise” for movie set designers. You can meet them on a special tour of Sisi at the museum. Regular exhibitions on the famous Habsburgs or furniture design complete the collection.
What was Empress Elisabeth really like and why does she still attract so much attention to this day? Sisi's personality and aura can be seen in the place where she lived for many years: the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna. Visiting him is an inspiring and moving experience because of the large number of authentic and personal items that belonged to him.
The magnificent imperial staircase leads to the Sisi Museum. The tour begins with the death of the Empress and tells, room by room, how the myth of the Empress was created, which was also heavily influenced by the Sissi films directed by Ernst Marischka.
The Imperial Apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and the Empress are one of the most important tourist attractions in Vienna and offer a glimpse into their private life: the bedroom, the gym and the bathroom, as well as many other imperial rooms furnished as they were in the past.
Court silverware is also popular. Here are exhibited the possessions of the court's silver and tableware chambers, which were transferred to the Republic of Austria at the end of the Habsburg monarchy. Valuable glass, silver and porcelain items, as well as cooking and baking utensils from the court kitchen, provide an insight into the imperial food culture.
Austria's largest palace situated in a rural area, Hof Palace is located in the southernmost part of Lower Austria, near Bratislava. This approximately 70-hectare estate was acquired in 1725 by the legendary military commander, Prince Eugene of Savoy, and expanded and rebuilt under Maria Theresa. The result is the combination of a majestic baroque palace, an artistic terraced garden and a lively domain with themed gardens and a petting zoo. An experience for the whole family in the center of Marchfeld.
Enjoy a guided tour of the castle's magnificent chambers with their precious furnishings, exquisite fabrics, and crystal chandeliers. Or accompany the museum experts through the baroque gardens. Take a tour of the domain and discover up close rare species of animals and exceptional peculiarities of some plants, and revive ancient craft techniques. For children, the theme trails in the domain are not the only opportunity to experience history interactively, as the petting zoo, children's theater and the family area in the Bäckenhof, the former palace bakery, also invite to have a good time. The former Niederweiden hunting lodge, with an attached rustic kitchen, is also a must-see at Hof Palace.
Not one, but five attractions are what allows you to enjoy the 'Schönbrunn Classic Pass', a single ticket to visit the Schönbrunn Palace, the Kronprinzengarten, the maze and the labyrinth, the Orangeriegarten and the panoramic terrace of the Gloriette temple.
Saving adults 30% off individual ticket prices, the pass entitles one entry to all included tourist attractions, is valid on the day of issuance, and lasts approximately 3- 4 hours. Price: €31 (adults) and €24 (children and young people).
The 'Sisi Ticket' is for lovers of Empress Elisabeth, which gives access to three imperial buildings: Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum with the Imperial Apartments and the Court Silversmith's in the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna , and the Vienna Furniture Museum. The combined ticket is valid for one year from the date of issue, entitles one entry to all included tourist attractions, and saves around 25% for adults compared to individual tickets. Price: €40 (adults) and €27 (children and young people).
