Garden Dreamer | Schönbrunn Gardens in Vienna

While in Vienna, be sure to carve out half of a day, preferably the latter portion, and head out of the city, via the metro to Schönbrunn, the summer home of the Habsburgs. While it might be deemed the most popular tourist attraction in Austria, one way to avoid the crowds is to skip the palace all together and wander the immaculate grounds instead. Stretching just under a mile in all directions, garden lovers will delight in meandering its green allées that intersect with reflecting pools, parterres filled with flowers, manicured rooms proliferating with seasonal blooms and wisteria-covered tunnels. A large rose garden also sits to the right of the palace and is an idyllic spot to rest on a bench under the shade of atree or to inhale the fragrant flowers. There are a handful of notable monumentsthat stand on the property including the Palm House and Gloriette, a striking belvedere set on top of the hill, that provides a stunning vista over the property and out onto the palace. Entry to the grounds is free, except a few areas like the Orangerie, Privy Garden or Maze, which charge an entrance fee.

This is an excerpt from ROSE & IVY Journal No.12. To read the entire article about Vienna, click here.

The immaculate rose garden abounding with many varieties of hybrid and old-fashioned blooms.

The imposing yellow facade of the rear of the palace that once was the summer home of the Haspbergs.

A couple relaxes on a bench in the park.

A sliver of the palace peaking through the carved hedges.

There are many axis in the gardens marked by water fountains. d

The striking Belvedere stands atop the hill overlooking the palace and gardens.

An incredible beam of light hitting the architecture in the early evening.

The Palm House which stands to the east of the palace and gardens.