Orangery at Schönbrunn

Schönbrunn Orangery, or as it’s known in German, the Orangerie, essentially, it is a structure designed to house and protect delicate citrus and exotic plants during the cold Viennese winters. In short, it could be defined as a refuge of glass and stone where orange trees could survive and, more importantly, continue to bear fruit for the imperial table.

And where is this marvel located? It is part of the vast and majestic Schönbrunn Palace complex in Vienna, situated in the western part of the Austrian capital. It is one of the longest structures of its kind in the world, with a façade that will truly impress you.

Now, a key question: is access free? Well, you should know that the Orangerie structure itself, as part of the palace, requires a specific ticket to be visited during the day. However, it is not always open to the public for tourist visits, as its main use today is as a concert and event hall.

The good news is that the large surrounding garden is free and open to the public in most areas, giving you the opportunity to admire this historic structure from the outside and enjoy its setting at no cost. But if you want to go inside, especially to see a concert, you will need to buy a ticket.

Over time, the purpose of the Orangerie changed. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the fall of the monarchy and changing fashions, the ceremonial use of the Orangery significantly declined.

From being a ballroom and banquet hall, it reverted mainly to its original function: a plant storage facility, a depot for fruit and vegetables, or simply general storage for the palace’s needs. Royalty no longer used it as frequently for their grand social events.

Today, the Orangery has regained some of its former splendor. It has been restored and, while still fulfilling its original function of protecting plants in winter, it has become a prestigious concert and event hall. It is world-renowned for hosting the famous Schönbrunn Palace Concerts, where works by Mozart and Strauss are performed, reviving the musical spirit that characterized it in the past. Therefore, if you enjoy this type of music, visiting it and attending one of its concerts is a unique opportunity to experience classical music in an unparalleled historical setting.

Getting to the Schönbrunn Orangery is quite straightforward, as Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna’s most accessible points. These are the best options for reaching it by public transport:

• Metro (U-Bahn): This is the most comfortable and fastest way to arrive. Take the U4 line (the green line) and get off at the Schönbrunn station. Once you exit the station, the palace and its gardens are well signposted. From there, you will have a short walk to the main entrance of the complex.
• Tram: Lines 10 and 60 have stops very close to the palace. Look for the Schönbrunn or Hietzing stop, depending on where you are coming from. If you choose the Hietzing stop, the advantage is that it leaves you near the western entrance of the garden, which is often less crowded, and is very close to the Schönbrunn Zoo and the Gloriette, which you might be interested in visiting afterward.

Once you are inside the Schönbrunn Palace grounds in Vienna, the Orangery is just a short walk away, located in the eastern part of the gardens. Simply follow the signs that say “Orangerie” or “Orangerie Schönbrunn.”

It’s a very pleasant stroll that allows you to enjoy part of the garden and the surrounding architecture. If you are going specifically for a concert, the entrance to the Orangery is often managed through a specific gate in that area. In this case, you can ask the on-site staff for help with directions, but don’t worry, you won’t get lost!

If the idea of attending a concert in such a historic location appeals to you, you should know that these events take place almost every night of the year. As mentioned before, they are hosted by the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra, and their goal is to revive the musical atmosphere of the imperial era by playing masterpieces of classical music.

However, this is a series of events that tourists often sell out quickly, so you should book your tickets in advance to avoid being left out.

Regarding typical schedules, there are usually two types: if you buy a ticket that includes dinner, you should attend around 6:30 PM at a nearby restaurant, while if you purchase the ticket exclusively for the concert, the start time is usually 8:30 PM. The performance lasts approximately one and a half hours, including an intermission, so you would finish around 10:00 PM.

There are also special concerts, which are unique events and often coincide with holidays or high season periods. The most famous are undoubtedly those held during Advent and Christmas, featuring festive repertoires and a truly magical atmosphere. Special concerts for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are also usually scheduled. These special events may have slightly different times and, of course, have even higher demand. For this reason, if you are visiting during these dates, our recommendation is to purchase tickets well in advance.

Finally, the concerts organized in the Orangery are usually accompanied by opera soloists and ballet dancers, who interpret some of the best-known works by Mozart and Strauss. The fact that they are held in the historic Orangerie of Schönbrunn Palace, with its Baroque decoration, high ceilings, and regal atmosphere, will enhance your experience and feel like stepping back in time to Imperial Vienna.

Main photo: "Orangery (Schönbrunn)" by W.