Gloriette

Overview

The Gloriette is a triumphant Baroque colonnade perched on a hill behind Schönbrunn Palace, built in 1775 as a memorial to the Habsburg military. Its café terrace offers one of Vienna's most picturesque panoramas.

Highlights

• Panoramic view: The terrace overlooks the entire Schönbrunn complex, the city skyline, and the Vienna Woods.
• Café: Coffee and pastries on the terrace—one of Vienna's most scenic café experiences.
• Architecture: Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg's design blends triumphal-arch grandeur with garden-folly lightness.

History

Completed in 1775 using materials from the demolished Château de Neugebäude, the Gloriette celebrates Habsburg victories, particularly the 1757 Battle of Kolin against Frederick the Great.

Visitor Tips

• Free grounds: The hill and exterior are free; the panorama terrace and café charge a small fee.
• Sunset: The west-facing terrace is spectacular at golden hour.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.