Schonbrunn Palace
Vienna
This was the summer residence of the Habsburgs, containing over 2,000
rooms. Maria Theresa was responsible for its creation.
Schonbrunn, which means “beautiful fountain”, was named by Emperor Matthias
in 1605 when he discovered a lovely spring on this site while on a hunting
trip. The “Schoner Brunnen” spring can still be seen on the property.
In 1637, the widow of the Emperor Ferdinand II, Eleonore of Mantua, had
a new pleasure palace built on this site, in the Italian manner.
After her death in 1655, the estate passed to the third wife of Ferdinand
III. It was during this time that the name “Schonbrunn” was used
for the first time. This palace was destroyed by the Turks in 1683.
In 1695, the Habsburg Emperor Leopold I decided to have a luxurious summer
palace built here for his son, Joseph I. Leopold chose the famous
Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to construct the palace.
The first design was a massive visionary plan on the scale of Versailles.
The emperor, however, decided on a more “modest” proposal.
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
The Gloriette at Schonbrunn
F. Hetzendorf von Hohenberg built this elegant gallery with arcades
in 1775 to commemorate the Battle of Kolin in 1757, when Maria Theresa’s
troops defeated the armies of Frederick II of Prussia. Heavy aerial
bombardment during the Second World War caused severe damage to the former
Imperial palace. Restoration was completed in 1955.
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
“Maria Theresa Yellow”
The yellow paint covering the exterior of the palace is also known
as “Schonbrunn yellow”. It became standard for all administrative
buildings in Maria Theresa’s reign. The green of the window frames
emphasizes the yellow ochre colour of the buildings, bringing harmony to
the whole construction.
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
Belvedere Palace
Vienna
Actually two palaces with extensive gardens between, Belvedere was
built between 1714-1722 as the summer home of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
After being rejected by Louis XIV, he enlisted in the service of Leopold
I. His impressive victories over the Turks led to his being called
the “Savior of Christendom”, who united the various kingdoms of the Empire.
The Lower Belvedere was completed in 1716. It now houses the Museum
Mittelalterlicher Kunst and the Barockmuseum. The Upper Belvedere
was completed in 1722 and consists of seven building under one roof.
Facing south, the Upper Belvedere overlooks the terraced gardens and the
vast reflecting pool.
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
Christinendenkmal in the Augustinerkirche in Vienna
This cenotaph was created by Antonio Canova between 1805-1809 to commemorate
the passing of Maria Theresa’s favorite daughter, Maria Christina.
The memorial shows representations of Virtue, Felicity, and Charity advancing
toward a 16 ft pyramid.
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
Rose Gardens in the Volksgarten in Vienna
Copyright © 1999 Richard Jaklitsch
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