Schonbrunn Palace Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hunting lodge

Schonbrunn Palace was originally Katterburg Palace and was built in 1548. Much of what is now part of Schonbrunn Palace was built two centuries later but some of the original palace remains. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II turned Katterburg into Schonbrunn Palace and used it as a hunting lodge. Game animals such as turkeys, deer and ducks were housed on the premises to hunt at his leisure.

There were also more exotic animals such as peacocks running wild.

Answer: Neptune

One of the most recognizable sculptures in Schonbrunn Palace's gardens is the Neptune Fountain commissioned by Maria Theresa. A trident-wielding Neptune stands in the center of the large fountain while tritons and a sea horse surround him. The event being depicted is that of Thetis, mother of Achilles, asking Neptune to see her son safely to Troy on sea voyage.

The fountain is located in front of the Gloriette Hill. A gloriette is a small garden room built to give an elevated view.

Answer: Jupiter/Zeus

Although there are many statues depicting Roman and Greek gods and goddesses, there is not a single statue depicting Jupiter/Zeus, King of the Gods, anywhere on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace. This is true even though many of Jupiter's/Zeus' children have statues including Mercury, Heracles and Calliope.

Helen of Troy is depicted in a statue (pictured) that tells the story of her abduction by sculptor Johann Wilhelm Beyer who created many of the statues at the palace. Jason is depicted holding the Golden Fleece. Hannibal Barca is depicted posing with a sword after victory.

Answer: Wood paneling

Maria Theresa's porcelain room is actually decorated with a style of wood paneling called chinoiserie. Chinoiserie is a style that gives the room an Asian-inspired look and mimics that of porcelain. This is but just one of the many rooms in Schonbrunn Palace that was inspired by the Far East. Others include the Blue Chinese Salon and the East Asian Cabinets.

Answer: Her husband, Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

Originally the Vieux Laque room was the private study of Francis I, also called Franz Stephen. After his sudden death, the heartbroken Maria Theresa, had the study converted into a room of black and gold lacquer. The room is decorated in a mix of Rococo and early Classicism style.

There are portraits of various Habsburg family members, most those immediate to Maria Theresa, lining the walls. These portraits include that of her husband and her son Charles Joseph who died as a teenager in the palace.

Answer: Mozart played his first concert in the room

The Habsburgs were at the center of Austrian culture for as long as they ruled and they hosted many of Vienna's up and coming musicians and artists. In 1762, a six-year old Mozart gave his first concert in the Mirrors Room with Maria Theresa in attendance. It is said that Mozart was so excited and pleased with his concert that afterward he jumped up onto the Empress' lap and kissed her.

Answer: False

The Roman Ruins on the grounds, properly called the Ruin of Carthage isn't actually an ancient Roman ruin. These structures were built in 1778 by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg to house plants. However, since their construction that have fallen into disrepair and have taken on the appearance of similar to that of authentic ruins.

Answer: Bergl Rooms

The Bergl Rooms was a suite on the ground floor that was called Maria Theresa's summer rooms because she had difficulty with the heat during the summer months in her later years. These rooms were much cooler than he her usual bedroom. There were also rooms for her children so they could spend time with her.

The wall murals in these rooms are of exotic plants and animals that Maria Theresa always found fascinating and influenced her decoration choices throughout the palace.

Answer: Carriages

Wagenburg is a large museum that houses carriages and vehicles, mainly those used by European royalty throughout history. In English it is called the Among the carriages on display are the Golden Carousel of Maria Theresa and a miniature carriage used by Napoleon's son. In addition, the museum houses various automobiles, sleighs and other unusual or outdated modes of transportation.

Answer: She is an orangutan

The Vienna Zoo is located on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace. One of the zoo's most famous residents is Nonja, an orangutan photographer. Nonja used a specially-designed camera that also doubles as a raisin dispenser to take pictures. Nonja had her own social media accounts before the zoo's photography project was discontinued. Nonja is also an avid painter.