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Obelisk Fountain: A Habsburg Power Statement

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A monumental fountain in Schönbrunn Palace gardens featuring an obelisk adorned with symbolic sculptures, reflecting Habsburg power and artistic ambition.

Located in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace gardens, the Obelisk Fountain, designed in 1777 by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg, features a symbolic obelisk adorned with faux-hieroglyphs and sculptures of river gods, expressing the Habsburg dynasty's power and dominion.

A brief summary to Obelisk Fountain

  • Monday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Friday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 6:30 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 6:30 am-9 pm

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning for a quieter experience and optimal lighting for photography.
  • Take a walk around the fountain to appreciate the intricate details of the sculptures.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of Schönbrunn Palace for a full day of imperial history.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Schönbrunn Palace main entrance, walk straight along the main pathway leading towards the gardens. Continue walking straight, and you will see the Obelisk Fountain located to the right in the gardens. The fountain is a prominent feature and difficult to miss.

  • Public Transport

    Take the U4 metro line to the Schönbrunn station. Exit the station and walk towards the Schönbrunn Palace gardens. Follow the main pathway leading towards the gardens. Continue walking straight, and you will see the Obelisk Fountain located to the right in the gardens. A single metro ticket costs approximately €2.40.

  • Driving

    Drive to Schönbrunn Palace and park in the parking area on Schönbrunner Schloßstraße. Parking is available on Schönbrunner Schloßstraße, on the opposite site of the Orangerie and the Apothekertrakt respectively, in the APOCA parking lot. From the parking area, walk to the Schönbrunn Palace gardens. Follow the main pathway leading towards the gardens. Continue walking straight, and you will see the Obelisk Fountain located to the right in the gardens. Parking costs €4.50 per hour.

Discover more about Obelisk Fountain

The Obelisk Fountain, situated in the expansive Schönbrunn Palace gardens, serves as a striking testament to the Habsburg dynasty's imperial ambitions. Designed by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg and erected in 1777, the fountain is positioned at the end of the eastern diagonal avenue, creating a visual focal point that complements the Gloriette and the Schönbrunn Zoo.The fountain features a rocky grotto-mound adorned with river gods, crowned by an obelisk. Water flows from a central mask and the river gods' vases through basins into the main pool. The obelisk rests on four turtles, symbolizing stability, and is decorated with hieroglyphs that were meant to represent the history of the Habsburgs, though they are not accurate as hieroglyphs weren't deciphered until 1822. The eagle atop the obelisk symbolizes the ruler mediating between heaven and earth.In Baroque iconography, the obelisk represented princely steadfastness and stable government. The Obelisk Fountain was intended to express the Habsburg claim to absolute and enduring dominion. Visitors can ascend a double flight of steps between the grotto and retaining wall to a platform, where a small cave offers a unique perspective of the avenue. The fountain operates from 11 am to 3 pm, but is switched off from mid-October to mid-April.

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