In Austria in 1569, under Emperor Maximilian the Second, the Habsburg Dynasty acquired the former Maierhof as a hunting estate, and Emperor Franz Joseph permitted the young architect, Fischer von Erlach, to design a new royal residence, the Schönbrunn Palace.
More than 1,700 beautifully-maintained rooms afforded the large Imperial family, and the whole royal entourage, much freedom of movement and the magnificent interior décor of the Palace is one of the most lavish of its time.
The Palace Grounds contain the outstanding Neptun-Fountain and, at the highest point, the Gloriette, from which the entire palace grounds are visible, as well as the charming Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest animal enclosure in the world.
Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.