European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                With its 1,400 rooms Scad Brunn 6ig enough of nouse Small town. The Palace is the second biggest tourist attraction in Vienna. Schonbrunn Palace furnishings evoke a bygone Era. Fhe Gloriette Pavilion towers above the Neptune Fountain in the Palace Park. Summer Palace of the hapsburgs by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer two of the austrian Imperial dynasty s most important traits were style and staying Power. The hapsburgs remained in Power More than six centuries and left an architectural legacy that transformed their capital City Vienna one of Vienna s most splendid Imperial structures is the Schonbrunn Palace on the southwestern Edge of the City. Built after the destruction of its More modest precursor by the turks in 1683, Schonbrunn took its name Beautiful Fountain from a Spring that bubbled up nearby. Initially intended to rival France s Versailles Palace the design was later scaled Back in scope. But though not As unabashedly ostentatious As its French counterpart Schonbrunn is still no weekend cottage. Its 1,400 rooms could House the population of a Small town. And visitors can while away Many Long hours exploring its 500-acre Park and gardens. Schonbrunn is essentially a baroque masterpiece ornamental As Well As functional. Together with its grounds it is one of the loveliest attractions in a City renowned for its Beauty. According to Evelyn Miksch press spokeswoman at the Vienna tourist Board Schonbrunn is the second most popular tourist site in Vienna after the Stephan Dom. This fact is evidenced by the inevitable crowds of German american and japanese tourists. Though today it is a picturesque museum piece Schonbrunn once loomed Large on the world stage. For More than two centuries it served As the hapsburgs summer Palace a country estate that offered greenery and gardens but was Only a Short Carriage ride from the Austro hungarian Empire s permanent Headquarters in the Homburg. The storms of history have often swept Over Schonbrunn. In 1805 Napoleon stayed for two weeks after conquering most of Europe and proclaiming himself Kaiser Franz ii. Nine years later the Palace served As the Headquarters for the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon s defeat. Kaiser Franz Joseph died at Schonbrunn in 1916 and in 1918 the hapsburg dynasty ended with Karl i s abdication also at the Palace. Schonbrunn was heavily damaged during world War ii and in 1945 became the Headquarters for the British commander. Ten years later the austrian state treaty was signed there and president Kennedy and soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev held a Summit at Schonbrunn in 1961. The official guided tour of the Palace costs 50 schillings $4.35 and covers Only 40 of the most important rooms. Included Are the death room of emperor Franz Joseph the million room inlaid with Rosewood and reputed to have Cost More than 1 million Gulden the porcelain room decorated in Blue and White to simulate Meissen porcelain and the biggest room in the Palace the great gallery More than 120 feet Long. In addition to the Palace itself other sights on the grounds Worth visiting include the Schooner Brunnen the Loriette Arcade on the top of the Gloriette Hill the Schonbrunn zoo the Butterfly House and the Palm Garden. The Best time to see the Palace is in the warm weather months when the gardens Are in Bloom and the fountains Are operating. Schonbrunn is open seven Days a week april june and october 8 30 a.m.-5 . July september 8 30 a.m.-5 30 . November March 9 a.m.-4 . 8 stripes Magazine february if 1993