Schönbrunn Palace (German: Schloss Schönbrunn; Central Bavarian: Schloss Scheenbrunn) was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, located in Hietzing, Vienna. The name Schönbrunn (meaning “beautiful spring”) has its roots in an artesian well from which water was consumed by the court.<br /><br />The 1,441-room Rococo palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. It has been a major tourist attraction since the mid-1950s.<br /><br />Gloriette<br />Gloriette, the Neptune Fountain and Great Parterre<br />The garden axis points towards a 60-metre-high (200 ft) hill, which since 1775 has been crowned by the Gloriette structure (Fischer von Erlach had initially planned to erect the main palace on the top of this hill).<br /><br />Maria Theresa decided the Gloriette should be designed to glorify Habsburg power and the Just War (a war that would be carried out of “necessity” and lead to peace), and thereby ordered the builders to recycle “otherwise useless stone” which was left from the near-demolition of Schloss Neugebäude. The same material was also to be used for the Roman ruin.<br /><br />The Gloriette was destroyed in the Second World War, but had already been restored by 1947, and was restored again in 1995.<br /><br />The Gloriette today houses a café and an observation deck which provides panoramic views of the city.<br />...<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVXOqZqrTyo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVXOqZqrTyo</a>