Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Schonbrunn Palace Day

Schönbrunn Palace Is a former imperial summer residence in Vienna, Austria. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace and gardens illustrated the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.
Zoo Vienna
Like the Botanic Garden at Schönbrunn, the Menagerie was originally founded by Emperor Franz Stephan, who had a profound interest in natural history. Based on designs by his court architect Nicolas Jadot dating to 1751, a menagerie was constructed consisting of thirteen animal enclosures arranged radially around a central pavilion. The enclosures were completed by 1752 but the central pavilion was not finished until 1759.
The individual enclosures, each with its own pool, were separated from one another by high walls and from the central pavilion by a grating framed by pilasters and crowned by vases and groups of animals, through which the animals could be viewed. The back of the enclosure was formed by a 'lodge' or hut providing shelter for the animals at night.
In a lower-lying area to the west is a two-storeyed building intended as accommodation for the keepers. Beyond this is a pool and roosting pens for water fowl.


The penguins were happy with the cold!
Pinks




Found a Starbucks! I never thought I would miss it but... I did! I got a the Christmas blend with soy! It was a really busy store and I was glad I was on the other side of the counter.


Pretty Lights!

1 comment:

yogamama said...

YEA!!! A Starbucks - what a treat!