Schwarzenbergpark, Vienna Travel Guide

Schwarzenbergpark, nestled in Vienna's 17th district of Hernals, provides a tranquil escape from the city's vibrant energy. This expansive park, covering approximately 80 hectares, has a rich history and diverse landscape, making it a unique destination.Originally known as Neuwaldegg Palace Park, it holds the distinction of being Austria's first English landscape garden. In 1765, Count Franz Moritz Lacy, a field marshal and confidant of Empress Maria Theresa, acquired the land. Inspired by the "back-to-nature" movement, Count Lacy transformed the area into a sprawling landscape garden, incorporating rolling hills, ponds, streams, and strategically placed groves of trees. This design, influenced by English garden design principles, aimed to create a natural and picturesque environment.At its peak, Lacy Park was adorned with various garden features, including decorative stones, vases, a Chinese pavilion, and even a miniature Garden of Eden. The Hameau, the park's highest point, featured seventeen chalets built to accommodate guests. Today, only one of these charming houses remains. Following Count Lacy's death in 1801, the Schwarzenberg family acquired the estate, giving the park its current name. In 1958, the City of Vienna purchased the park and opened it to the public.Visitors can wander along the 2.2-kilometer-long Schwarzenbergallee, a chestnut-lined avenue that stretches through the heart of the park. The avenue features two obelisks, one bearing the graffiti of Josef Kyselak, a Viennese graffiti artist from the Biedermeier era. Scattered throughout the park are remnants of its past, including a white marble statue and a small classical temple where Count Lacy is buried. Today, Schwarzenbergpark blends with the Vienna Woods, creating a vast green space for outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running and cycling. City hiking trail 3 passes through the park. Families can enjoy playgrounds, meadows, and a forest playground.