Federal Gardens

Welcome to the historical gardens
of the Bundesgärten
(Photography: Schloßpark Schönbrunn)

Direction of the Federal Gardens
Head: Peter Fischer-Colbrie
Schloß Schönbrunn
A-1131 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: (+43 1) 877 50 87-0
Fax: (+43 1) 877 50 67
E-Mail: direktion@bgwien.bmlfuw.gv.at
http://www.federal-gardens.at

To get permissions for events in the Federal Gardens please contact Günter Wimmer Tel.: (+43 1) 877 50 87-481.

Federal Gardens Events (only German)

Federal Gardens News

The Labyrinth in Schönbrunn

The Bundesgärten (Federal Gardens) and the Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. have thought up a new attraction with the LABYRINTH which will make every visit a unique experience. The Labyrinth includes a vista platform at the centre, as well as two "harmony rocks" which were activated by the renowned Chinese Feng Shui Professor Dr. Jes Lim at the inaugural festivities on September 9, 1999 at 9 a.m. and will pass on positive energy to visitors from now on. The quick construction of the labyrinth involving an expenditure of some € 580.000 constitutes another step toward the historical authenticity of the cultural world heritage Schönbrunn.

The labyrinth is open from April to October and can be visited for an entrance fee of € 5 (various reductions).

The Japanese garden in Schönbrunn
The Japanese garden planted by Schönbrunn gardeners in 1913 went to rack and ruin with time, was rediscovered in 1996, and its historical authenticity was restored in 1998. During this revamping phase two new representative Japanese gardens were added to the Eastern and Western sides of the historical garden with a "dry garden" (Kare-sansui) and a "tea garden" (Cha-niwa).

In the dry garden, islands and mountains are represented by rocks and oceans, ponds, and streams are symbolized not by water, but by sand and white gravel. This part of the garden was called "Kisso" garden or "Garden of Happiness". The stone formations "Tsuru=a" (crane) and "Kame=a" (turtoise) are symbols of happiness, long life, and wisdom.

The "tea garden" features an entrance gate made of woven bamboo and a path leading to the tea square. The tea square was established instead of an original tea house as a place to perform the tea ceremony.

The Japanese garden is a symbol of Japanese-Austrian friendship and represents a donation of Japan to Austria valued at some € 1 million. It is located south of the Palm house (nearest park entrance Hietzinger Tor, U4 station Hietzing).

The tasks of the Federal Gardens are

taking care and maintaining the former imperial and royal Hofgärten according to historical models;

maintaining the precious botanical plant collections;

organising exhibitions and plant exhibitions in the Palmenhaus, Schmetterlinghaus, Alpengarten, ... ;

decorations on the occasion of public events such as state receptions, Opera Ball, ... ;

production of ornamental plants and woody plants for own demand;

training for gardeners, organisation of expert conventions.

(Photography: Sternbassin with Schloß Schönbrunn)

Opening hours of the gardens (parks):

Daily from 06:00 a.m. (in Schönbrunn: November - February 06:30 a.m.) until nightfall.

Entrance fees

The entrance to all parks is free (except for the Palmenhaus), and the Alpengarten in the Belvedere). The Federal Gardens are visited by more than 20 million persons a year!