The Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn in German) is a former imperial summer residence located in Vienna, Austria. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in the country. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. Since the mid-1950s it has been a major tourist attraction.
This beautiful palace and its impressive gardens are located just 5Km away from the Hofburg Palace at the center of Vienna, is one of the must-see places in the city. And going there during the Easter is probably one of the best times since the gardens by then have regained the green color after the cold winter, and you get the privilege of visiting a small but very interesting Easter market just inside the main gates. 

The Easter market in front of Schönbrunn Palace is considered to be one of the most romantic Easter markets. In front of the backdrop of the palace, 60 exhibitors offer all sorts of culinary pleasures as well as decorative Easter decorations and handicrafts from Austria. Children have fun in the Easter Bunny workshop, where they shape marzipan bunnies and make Easter flower arrangements, in the Easter nest hunt and in the Kindermuseum, while the adults enjoy the entertainment at "Jazz at the Easter Market".

After going through all the delicacies of the Easter market and visiting the exquisitely ornate interiors of the palace itself, a visit to the gardens is in order. Specially if you happen to have the great fortune to be presented with a glorious sunshine as we were on the day of our visit. The gardens are vast extending for 1.2 km from east to west and approximately one kilometre from north to south, it was placed together with the palace on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1996. This is a great place to visit with kids since it has a small Zoo, believed to be the worlds eldest still in function, laid out around 1720 and originally had four quadrants with a central (probably elevated) pavilion. Consisting of paths between tall, narrow hedges without the dead-ends and false turns of a classic maze, it was intended to offer an inviting setting for a gentle stroll. 
On top of the hill you will find the small Gloriette, pictured here,  a tower-like two storied pavilion built around 1775, probably to designs by Isidor Canevale. The octagonal structure with its balconies and built-on stairwell was probably used as a viewing pavilion. On the ground floor, the interior is decorated with Rococo architectural murals which on the second floor open up above a balustrade into a painted sky.

Having a snack, or a not so light lunch, at the café inside the Gloriette is a great way to enjoy the panoramic view of the city that it's location provides. Also a great idea is to spend some time lying on the lawn in front of it, after the snack, and contemplate the palace, gardens and the city beyond. This seems to be a favourite activity of many people on that sunny afternoon, and the grass was full of people, young and old, enjoying the Spring sunshine.

Next week I'll be showing a few selected images of statues around the city, and if you like statues like I do, this is a great city to visit as there are many, with differing styles and for all tastes.
Until then,
Keep wandering, keep shooting...