Schoenbrunn Palace Orangery, which is now a protected historical building, looks back on an eventful past: built in 1754 in a Baroque-classical style and designed to house the royal citrus collection, the Orangery was soon discovered by the aristocracy as the perfect venue for their splendid festivities. Joseph II is said to have gotten the idea of using the Orangery for festivities on the occasion of a journey to Russia.
Sumptuous festivities at Schoenbrunn Palace Orangery

During many decades, crowned heads and aristocrats enjoyed themselves at sumptuous parties here at the Orangery. A cleverly devised floor heating system that is still in use today provided cozy warmth even on chilly winter days. Art and culture have always played an important role at the Orangery. One of the cultural highlights was the world premiere of Mozart's opera "The Impresario" in 1786 at Schoenbrunn Palace Orangery. It was also here that the famous musical competition between Mozart and his eternal rival Salieri, unique in the history of music, took place.

In the second half of the 19th century, the Orangery mainly served its original purpose, which was sheltering exotic plants during the winter. Less glorious times were to follow: in late fall of 1848, royal troops took up their quarters in Schoenbrunn and actually misused the Orangery building as stables for war horses. After World War II, the Orangery sheltered a heating plant and its garden served as hotbeds.
The Orangery as splendid as ever before

Thanks to an exhaustive renovation initiated in 1985, the former greenhouse has been restored to its original beauty. The rear part of the Orangery serves its original purpose, while the especially elegant front part is used for concerts and all kinds of festivities.