August 20
* Schloss Schonbrunn: a place of my dreams! It’s at places like this where you can let your historical imagination run wild. It’s on such a grand scale, which is very suiting for the powerful Habsburg dynasty. The Privy garden off to the side is a perfect example of the neoclassical gardens that are designed to show the domination over nature as well as classical antiquity and rationality. The Hedge Maze is also an example of this geometric fascination with having an imposing order on nature. But most of all, the Hedge Maze is fun! I actually managed to get lost in there, which is sad since mostly kids play in it. The grandiose Glorieta standing atop the hill is a dominating landmark that looks as if it should belong atop Mt. Olympus instead. It is also interesting that Schonbrunn was originally built as an escape from the city but now it is one of Vienna’s busiest stops for tourists and nowadays there is no separation from the palace to the city. Schonbrunn was also built as answer to Versailles. I’ve had the pleasure of going there and I have to admit that I find Versailles more glamorous and lavish. Both palaces have similar layouts, but I just can’t get over the Petit Trianon and other buildings and cottages in the gardens that were built for Marie Antoinette, who just happens to be a Habsburg.
posted by lauREN @ 9/11/2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home