I lived in Vienna as a young man in 1973-74 living in the 13th Bezerk or district. The strassenbahn we took everyday passed by the Schonbrunn from top a hill looking down onto the front of the palace. My friends and I would take a stroll through the gardens as it is quite immense. We were told on tour that the grounds are larger then the country of Monaco. The grandeur of the grounds from all views are spectacular. The tour inside was fascinating in that I love history. On living there we read many history books on the Hapsburgs and the nation. Maria Theresa built it and she also had wars going for 13 years. Royalty were challenging on who could built the most opulent palace. The nobility would complain to Empress Maria Theresa on the cost of the construction along with being hit with the war costs. Her reply to them was not to worry, "the Jews are paying for it." She hit them on on the taxes. The bombing of Vienna in WWII 269 bombs hit the grounds and only one hit the 'main palace' shattering one end of the grand ballroom with the fresco ceiling. What a miracle. Though in reading the west wing was hit bad.

The interior was seemingly as Maria Theresa left it. Typical over the top luxury with stories to go. I learned the Duke of Reichstadt, who was Napoleon's son, his mother being Maria Louise daughter to the Emperor of Austria lived there after his father abdicated. He died when 21 yrs. from TB.

Being there many times are memories live with me. What a place, what a time.