Schönbrunn Palace Vienna

To be in Vienna and not visit the Schönbrunn is the same as you were not there. It’s true that this castle resembles many other European palaces of the period, but the unique spirit of the old Vienna is woven into it and you just have to experience it. The castle and its surroundings breathes with so much beauty and order it's a sin to miss an opportunity to see this beautiful complex. Everything is graceful, calm and gentle, even the squirrels, accustomed to visitors and tourists, don’t run away from you, they literally eat from your hand. I envy the Viennese for having a such nice place.

Besides groups of tourists visiting the palace I’ve noticed that also a lot of locals were hanging out there with their friends and families. No wonder because it's just a vast space where you're not endangered and annoyed by traffic or noise characteristic for modern urban area. There is also belvedere at the Gloriette of Maria Terezia and a café as well as the ZOO which brings a lot of joy not only to the kids but to the adults as well. Finally you can visit the labyrinth simple harmless fun for every age. Walking through labyrinth is a lot of laugh, especially when you face a dead end and feel like a complete fool. Fun! Well there is nothing new I could say about Schönbrunn . Entire world had already heard of it but still here are a few facts just for the information or a reminder.

The Schönbrunn Palace is place where famous Empress Maria Terezia lived with her 16 children and her husband Emperor Francis I. The palace has its origins in 1559, when Emperor Maximilian II who was looking for a hunting lodge purchased a mansion in the outskirts of the city.Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna’s Versailles and it was used as the summer residence o the Habsburgs from the 18th century to 1918. The golden yellow palace is set within magnificent gardens, landscaped in the baroque style with wonderful views. Gloriette is a triumphal arch that stands on the top of the hill behind the palace and affords a stunning view over the ground and the city beyond. The palace and gardens are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The world’s oldest ZOO established 1752 can be found in the park. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1918. a newly established Austrian government turned palace into a museum.

Fall in Schonbrunn

Gloriette

Labyrinth for children

Berlin Charlotenburg

Charlotenburg is one of those beautiful castles scattered across Europe that kinda resemble each other. Whether you're approaching the castle, or just watching it on the picture, you get the "hmm, feels like Deja Vu" impression.

While that might be the case when it comes down to the looks, each of these castles has its own story to tell, so does Charlotenburg. It is not the must see attraction, but if you have enough available time to visit it or you're just into the castles, definitely do it. Enjoy the history, the beautiful view and the stroll down the park :).

Charlotenburg was Built by Elector Friederich III in 1699 as a summer palace for his wife Sophie Charlotte. The largest palace in Berlin is surrounded with a garden in baroque style. Inside, a collection of 18th century French paintings is the largest of its kind outside France. Visitors can see the Old Palace, with its baroque rooms, royal apartments, Chinese and Japanese porcelain collections and silverware chambers, as well as the New Wing, with its rococo splendor and fine furniture, added by Friederich the Great. Taking pictures is not allowed.

The complex was enlarged several times, adding a domed tower crowned with a statue of the goddess of happiness Fortuna, several wings, the Orangeries, the annex, and the Belvedere Teahouse, now a porcelain museum. Also worth noting is the mausoleum of Queen Louise, and the Schinkel pavilion, built as a summerhouse for King Friedrich Wilhelm II.

The palace was severely damaged in World War II, and rebuilt starting in the 1950’s.  Palace is now  home to the Museum for Pre and Early History, which boasts items from the famous Troy excavations carried out by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1800’s. Tickets for each section are sold separately; gardens are open to the public for no charge. Restaurant has a sunny atrium and outdoor seating for pleasant weather, and provides a nice place to dine, enjoy tea, coffe or  ice cream. Its larger   building, the Grosse Orangerie, hosts classical music concerts from April to October.