Orangerie Schönbrunn

Orangery in the Schloss Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Palace - Vienna, Austria), where famous Mozart and Strauss pieces are played each evening by the Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester. Empress Dowager Wilhelmine Amalie had an orangery garden laid out in Schönbrunn and a greenhouse built for the overwintering of the bitter orange plants. Around 1754, at the instigation of Franz I. Stephan, the orangery building was built by Nicola Pacassi. Underfloor heating, which has been functioning for 250 years, provided the appropriate indoor climate and ensures that the plants have adequate temperatures during wintering. The orangery served not only as winter quarters for citrus fruits and potted plants, but also as a blooming conservatory for festivities of the imperial family. Joseph II loved festivals with richly decorated tables and musical accompaniment in the orangery filled with flowers and illuminated citrus trees. At one of these concerts (1786) was the world-famous contest between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Renovations began in 1985 and finished in 1997. Since 1992, the palace and gardens have been owned and administered by the Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur-und Betriebsges.m.b.H. Since May 1, 2016 the Schönbrunn Palace Concerts at Orangerie Schönbrunn have been operated by WKE Konzert & Eventveranstaltungs GmbH. Today, concerts are still held in this historic place as in ancient times. The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra plays the most famous works by Mozart and Strauss every evening at the original venue. The entrance to the Orangery Schönbrunn is located directly opposite the subway station U4 "Schönbrunn". (300 m to the left of the main entrance of Schönbrunn Palace)