#I had kinda understood Maria symbolized that

[mimi-cantabile]

I’ve unfortunately committed the sin of falling hard for Ryota x Maria. I apologize if I could start drawing something for them, but they have conquered me. I waited for Housamo to soak in my bones, I’ve played through the chapters, the events.

They have exploded in my heart. Sorry. I’m a sinful person because I ship Ryota with the mc (2 and 5) and Choji too. I’m a multishipper at heart but Maria x Ryota, my God. I tried resisting until the last event I’ve played (the Christmas one). Bye.

[jojolovenotes]

Shdidiidjdjdjs Part 1 Olivia but an adult

I swear I listen to that Saint Motel song ONE TIME and it gives me brain rot not that I’m complaining tho Lmao

Today we have:

Dio admiring her from afar

She got shipped off to some boarding school cause her mom didn’t think it was very lady-like for her to hang around Jonathan, Dio, Artemis, & Anna so when she returns it’s like that one scene in the book of life when Maria returns, fan, hair and all. Except this song is playing during the scene: https://open.spotify.com/track/0qUcpOOna3kkrwfqky85e1?si=MECpNTbjSryAR-Xizbo_Tw

Dio is just admiring her and how she’s grown except she still likes Artemis. But Artemis is kinda being forced into an arranged marriage(best thing my ex, now bestie and I ever did was merge our universe so we could use concepts that we couldn’t stand to not have) with this girl Isabella, and it’s just this big dramatic thing. Almost like Catherine in SIX except like half of them are Catherine……the final Catherine I mean, the blue one, Catherine Parr. And it’s like this whole “I Don’t Need Your Love” scene bc Olivia knows she is going to have to marry Dio, so Artemis gives her the parting gift of a rose. Roses symbolize a lot in this universe. For example, since Dio’s mother needed a name I chose Rose, one of Diana’s middle names is Rose, Artemis gives Olivia the rose, Olivia blames herself for not being able to save Rose and she wears the rose Artemis gave to her even after it’s wilted because she always cared about him. And her curse ties in bc if she didn’t trust Dio he would have been turned into stone but she did because they were childhood friends. Olivia is very new to seeing things. I tend to draw a lot of inspiration from Disney so I feel like this song fits: https://open.spotify.com/track/3eR3lWuvQqOzhTn91nbRCa?si=3IBjZjMnSNKgik1ghTuuoA so it’s like Olivia exploring and she’s asking Dio what everything is, because she’s always had to wear that blindfold, so when she finally takes it off, and gets her curse under control, she’s very curious. She’s very fond of nature because she was an apothecary and so she made medicines out of herbs and such. AH NAH NOT HEART OF STONE PLAYING RN THAT ONE IS SAD BUT IT FITS

When she married Dio she knew what she was getting into, but she did love him to some degree. So she knew that she’d always stay by his side even if it meant dying for him. When she thought he’d been defeated as a vampire she lost it and used the mask on herself. At first she didn’t know how to control herself but when she did learn she also learned how to tell people’s fates by simply looking at the stars so they’d all go to her. It’s almost like….you know the way Sothis sat on the throne just leaning with her hand resting(or was it one of the other green-haired goddesses……) that’s how Olivia was sitting when she told people their fates, which ties in with Soldier, Poet, King.

And now we have Iris playing so I’ll explain how that ties in.

These specific lines that I happened to have conveniently in my camera roll refer to her curse. She can’t look at people unless she trusts them. Otherwise they turn into stone. It causes her to become very depressed, which is why the blindfold is so symbolic. It symbolizes her internal turmoil. How she had no freedom, so when she does finally take it off she’s free and happy. She has things under control. If she told people that she has a curse they’d have called her a witch considering the time period. She wants to be understood. And I can’t explain how little talks ties in bc I can’t explain how I see it in my head so we’re ending this right here. Sorry for the long rant. I just have a lot of thoughts on Olivia. 😅

Oh, wow. You definitely have plenty of thoughts to share... No worries, I understand feeling passionate about a ship or an OC so it’s cool! 

[nightowlfandom]

Vampire! Kim Namjoon- A Little Game: Chapter 2

Hey guys, this is your reminder to please heed the warnings and stay indoors as much as you can. You are in my prayers and i hope this can make someone’s day.

MASTERLIST

Part 1

Leggo

...

Sleeping all day and staying up all night was a dramatic difference for you. Namjoon had suggested you train to do so if you were to survive as a regular everyday vampire. You were still a newborn fledging with no experience in this world, your mind was still human. You had yet to come to terms with everything. You didn’t want this. Yet here it was.

“ Here is your room.” one of the maids, Mona showed you to a bedroom. “I hope it’s to your liking.” 

The walls were painted an ivory white colored with gold trimmings around the windows and foyer. The rug was a red velvety color that contrastsed with the charcoal black canopy style bed frame. A mini fireplace was on the far left side of the room, the obvious source of the warmth in the air.. 

“Wow.” you crossed your arms, rocking back and forth shyly. “Didn’t have to go all out like this just for me.”

“It was Master Namjoon’s orders.”

You noticed she didn’t have any strange symbol on her like you did. You just had to ask.“Are you human?”

“Yes.” was her reply. “I have no interest in becoming one if that’s your question.”

“Oh no!” you quickly shook your head. “I was just wondering- and like…fuck I’m sorry. I probably sound like an asshole.”

“It’s quite alright.” she smiled. “I’m married with beautiful my 5 year old twins. I wouldn’t give that up for immortality at all. Not that I’m implying you wanted to give up your humanity. I don’t think any human truely does.” 

You took a good look at Mona. She had very long, honey brown hair secured in a long braid that hung down her back. She had bright green eyes, that looked almost artificial like a glass bottle. 

“I’ll be honest, I kinda wish it would have ended for me there. Can’t imagine how much shit I’m gonna have to go through for the next…forever.” you shook your head.

“Well if it’s any consolation. You are very blessed to have Namjoon as your sire. He is a great man. Be patient with him. If you need anything else, simply find me and I’ll be more than happy to assist.”

"Oh, thank you…"

"Since you seem to be one of Namjoon's more promising fledglings, I'll let you in on a little secret." She smiled warmly. "Beware of one of Namjoon's acquaintances. Roseline Petras."

"What about her?" you raised an eyebrow.

"…Let's just say she's the reason I have twins instead of triplets." she replied, her face falling significantly. "and the reason vampire laws have changed in the last one thousand years…and why Master Namjoon vowed to never mentor a fledging for as long as he lived…until now for some odd reason."

“What do you me-”

Without another word, she exited the room, leaving you to your own devices. You watched as she left, in shock. You sat at the edge of the bed, timidly looking around the room. Namjoon would soon summon you to meet him. What did Mona mean by that? Who was this Petra lady? It took just that little information to know that you already didn't like her or what she stood for…whatever the hell it was she stood for. You looked around the room, taking in your new surroundings. It had only been a few days, and yet it felt like the first day over and over again.

Before you could really relax, another maid, Maria appeared in the doorway. She had a mousy high voice, dyed pink hair and eyes so black they almost looked like Marbles. The epitome of a living doll. "Master Namjoon is ready for you now. I can take you to him if you'd like."

"Oh…thank you." you smiled, standing to your feet. You followed Maria out in the halls following her down the brightly lit hallways. "How long have you been living here?"

"Since birth. I work in the kitchens with my father. Master Namjoon was gracious enough to let us all live with him, even if we have to sleep during the say to fit his schedule. He is a gracious man. The world isn't so accepting like he is."

"Yeah…I believe it." You trailed off. "So all of you are human?"

"Not all of us…" she replied. "It's hard to explain just how many of us are so different.  My father is one of the many Gods Of Destruction, but he gave up that life. He now comes up with vampire safe versions of human foods and spends his free time gardening."

"Where was he when I was drinking cold and most-likely expired blood!?" you asked, making the young girl laugh. Though she passed it as a joke, you were absolutely dead serious. Worst day of your life...so far.

You both soon stopped at a pair of large wooden doors. "You're free to go in. No knocking required." she said without another word. She pranced away, leaving you by yourself.

"Alright…Here I go." you sighed. You grabbed onto the aged antique door handle and pushed the door open. You were welcomed by a room full of strangers. The only one you could recognize was Namjoon, who was casually flipping boredly through the pages of a book. You noticed the others around the room, they were all studying you…except for a woman who was staring out the window into space. Either that or she didn't acknowledge you right away.

The room looked like an old library archive, full of bookshelves full of old worn hardback copies of many different selections. 

"Y/N…glad to see you made it here in one piece." Namjoon looked up and threw the book down. "Come in, and close the door behind you please."

You did as you were told, but you could only stand there. Something told you to stay put. Don't make any moves…just stay right where you are and if you need to make a quick getaway you could.

"These are the friends I told you about." he motioned around the room. You took note of the seven other males and three women that stood before you. "They will be your teachers for the next few months."

"That's a lot of names I have to remember." you tried to joke, mainly to calm yourself down. The girl who was staring out the window must have snapped back to reality because she gasped the minute she heard your voice. You were surprised to see milky white eyes stare in your direction.

"There she goes…psycho." one of the women who had been sitting down mumbled. She had long blonde hair and sit poised in an armchair, one leg crossed over the other.

This white haired, white eyed woman didn't seem to care for other girls remarks because she quite literally floated towards you. Her feet lifted of the ground, hair fanning all over the place as she crossed the room. No one else seemed f

"Blessed be, little fledging. A new life has been brought to our world." she grabbed your hand. "How joyous of days!”

"Blissa, I think you're scaring her." Namjoon laughed, seeing you look at him for some sort of help. "Y/N It's okay, you can trust these people. I trust them with my life."

"Well…most of us at least." a male who had been sitting at a piano corrected him. He was dressed all in white, like an angel. "Can't say the same for some of us."

This didn't seem to faze this Blissa character, so she must have not been the one to be weary of. You suddenly remember what Mona said earlier…a woman named Roseline Petras. Suddenly, your eyes darted to blonde, sitting with her chin rested in her palm as if she was bored.

Not her a voice in your head said. The one next to her they whispered.

Blissa's smile fell…but only for a second. You probably wouldn't have caught onto it had you not been paying attention. You raised an eyebrow in confusion. You didn’t want to speak up, but something told you she was the one who put that voice in your head.

"Is something wrong my child?" she smiled, tilted her head to the side. You noticed her moving her eyes to the right, as if silently telling you to follow the direction of where she was looking. Her milky colored irises, dart once more before you understood.  You finally caught on and followed her gaze to a short, jet black haired girl, typing away on her phone.

Yes, that one, that's Roseline.

Blissa left your side and began making haste back towards the window.

Best not to tell anyone I can speak to you just yet.

"Elva! Roseline!…don't be rude." Namjoon snapped to blonde.

"…Alright alright, sorry!" the blonde sighed, standing to her feet. The other one just didn’t look up, instead she leaned back in her head.  The blonde strode up to you, almost in slow motion. "I'm Elvalina. You can call me Elva, most of my friends do…no offense but…are those the only clothes you have?"

"…Uh yeah," you answered awkwardly. You had realized you had been wearing the same shirt and jeans for about 4 days. Not the best way to make a first impression now that you thought about it.  

"…I have so much to teach you." she put a hand on your shoulder. "When I'm finished with you, you'll be the hottest fledging anyone's ever seen. "

"Hey! Let some of us meet her first before you claim her as your bestie!"

"SHUT UP HOSEOK!" she glared at the guy who was casually flicking a light on and off. "She's the first girl I've seen around you guys in a while, don't ruin this for me!"

"Nice to meet you all." you bowed respectfully. You had no idea how this fledgling thing worked, so you used human decency instead. "I'm sorry in advanced if I take a while to learn."

"This one…I like her." Elva wrapped an arm around your shoulder. “Politeness...I dig it!”

……

"Is it always this cold outside?" you stood outside with Seokjin.

"No, our senses pick up on temperatures a lot differently than humans. You'll eventually get used to to it." He replied. "Now, what do you see?"

You tried to look around the forest, but it was pitch black outside. You couldn't see a thing. "It's too dark to see. You could barely make out your own shoes on the ground." you sighed with defeat. "Maybe I just can't do it." you looked down sheepishly.

"Hey." he reached out to touch your shoulder. "It's hard at first, yeah. But you can't beat yourself up, you're a newborn fledgling. It's normal for you." he comforted. "Here, close your eyes."

"You aren't gonna scare me are you?" you asked suspiciously. Every time someone told you to close your eyes, it ended with you almost peeing yourself.

"Trust me."

"Alright, alright." you closed your eyes as he instructed. "Now what?"

"Picture the space around you as if it were daytime."

"What? How do I do that?"

"Just try."

With another sigh, you tried to recreate the image in your head, only with the sun rays peeking out from the sky. You attempted to recreate the dirt path with dead leaves and wet logs from the morning dew sticking. You pictured the warmth from the damp air against your skin, despite being cold.

"Do you have it?" came Seokjin's voice.

"I think so." you responded. You opened your eyes only to be welcomed to a crystal clear view before you. The shadows casted from the tall trees were no longer shadows, but giant pine trees. The previously bleak sky had turned into a cloudless, star speckled painting and most importantly, the moon which had previously been nothing more than a standard crescent, was the focal point of everything you could see. It was exactly like a photograph. "Woah."

"You did it didn't you? Can you see it?" you turned to Seokjin who wore a smile. "Everything's so clear isn't it." he asked. "It always it once you complete the change."

Even as a human in the day time, the forest didn't look this clear. Nothing did.

"Now…what do you hear?"

Upon hearing him ask you, you were welcomed by all sorts of sounds, so many at one time. "Everything." you replied. "It's kind of overwhelming."

"Good, you're making process. Namjoon will be pleased." he replied. "You're learning quickly."

"Good to know." you said awkwardly.

"….I know this isn't going to be the most helpful or assuring, but Namjoon is the most trustworthy man I know. I've known him for many years, longer than your great great great grandparents have been alive. Maybe even longer."

"Yeah and I'm blessed to have him as my sire? I got this talk already." you crossed your arms. "I'm just…not ready for this yet." you sighed. "I don't know how long it'll take me to get used to this."

"For some it takes all their lives. Lucky for us we have forever." he winked. "You don't have to go through this alone. If anything happens, call Old Man Seokjin." he winked.

"I'll remember that." you replied.

… (The next Night)

To say you were surprised to see Elva and Blissa standing over you.

"OH MY-" you rolled out of bed, falling on your back. "OOF-" you grunted, even though you felt no pain. "Where did you guys come from!?"

"We were here the whole time. You're a heavy sleeper. Did you know that?" Blissa smiled.

" I do now." you heaved yourself off the floor. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you guys, but what are you doing here?"

"It's just about to be dark and we have loads to do. So get cha' ass up, fix your hair and put this on." a shopping back was hauled in your direction, courtesy of Elva.

"What exactly are we doing?"

"Seduce and glamour." Blissa said. "Not exactly on the lesson plan but fun to know nonetheless, wouldn't you agree?"

“And what better way to test these abilities then a night on the town. Trust me, you’ll be one hundred percent safe with us.”

"….Sure." you trailed off. "Let's go I guess."

....

(How are you guys dealing with this social distancing thing? Let’s talk about it! Feel free to send me a message.)

[chalabrun]

somehow, still sacred

Word count: 780 Pairings: Symbrock Rating: G Warnings: Death mention Summary: They both decide to pay Maria a visit, and they have some good news to share. A/N: Prompt fill for @whimsikalmusing! B]

( READ ON AO3 )

It was becoming something of a ritual for them. It wasn’t cheap, footing the funeral’s bill. As far as they’d known, Maria didn’t have any known family, no one they could really call or contact. But, it’d been okay. She had family in the most unexpected of places. With the enormous expose he’d fronted in rooting into every dark crevice of the Life Foundation in what was an ongoing investigation, things were turning around.

The bank had approved of the loan for the funeral expenses, and the installment plan wasn’t too overwhelming. Maria’s funeral saw people come in droves. Anne, Dan, Foundation workers who had been blackmailed into staying—probably half a borough if he were honest. Hell, even the mayor himself had announced he’d be building a memorial as a monument over Maria’s grave for all the lives lost.

It was touching. They’d gained a reminder, a noble symbol. But to Eddie, he’d just lost a friend. Someone he’d gladly pay twenty dollars for in free newspapers a lifetime over just to have her back.

It was a week after the funeral itself, but he still showed up wearing something decent. Jeans, t-shirt, spiffy leather jacket fresh from the thrift store. New boots to replace his worn and rundown sneakers. A bouquet in hand of all the flowers he was sure she liked.

Her grave, one commissioned away from where the memorial was set to be in stone, was a modest gravestone: Maria Davis, beloved friend. A quote from a book he’d given her that she’d taken to like a fish out of water, all beneath a small, shady oak tree just beginning to grow. He hoped it would grow enormous, one day.

“Hey, Maria, long time no see,” Eddie greeted with a crooked smile, a sad look in his eyes. Sad, but at peace, if you could call it that. “Y’like the view from ‘ere? Me an’ Ven thought you might. Always did seem like ya liked the water, an’ all.” Venom emerged as a humanoid form roughly Eddie’s height, taking the bouquet and holding it reverently.

“Checked your memories. The water always reminded you of freedom,” the symbiote affirmed. Even if it was trying to understand human emotions, and their ways, it understood grief. Especially after losing Riot despite the harsh enmity they’d been embroiled in months before. “…Brought you these.”

Eddie knew it would take getting used to, because Ven still felt responsible for Maria’s death. Even though it had been completely unprecedented, he wanted Venom to feel that guilt, to let itself feel and process through those emotions. He certainly wasn’t alone. Eddie watched with a fond smile as Venom stooped to place the colorful bouquet before the grave marker, genuflecting with him.

“I have some news, y’know,” Eddie continued, slipping he and Venom’s hands together. “And yeah, it—it’s gonna sound like the craziest thing ever. I know, I sure thought it was, but— I’ve been thinkin’. If you love somethin’, let it go. Well, I loved Anne. And…I let her go. She’s with’a great guy now, Dan. He’s smart, an’ shit. Real good guy. Both’a them helped me an’ Ven out, too. Helluva lot.” He laughed a short, airy note. Trying to gather his thoughts again.

“Thing is, spending this life alone—it sucks major balls. An’ we don’t always live life th’ way we think we should. …I found someone, Maria. Someone I think I’d be pretty happy to spend my life with. These things kinda demand witnesses though, right? Make it official, an’ all. And you’re one of my closest friends, so… And, you’re the reason we met at all.”

Venom grew quiet when it realized what Eddie was saying, the symbiote craning to search into Eddie’s eyes when he finally looked away from the gravestone, conviction in that gaze. Something strong and sure, without faltering. “Eddie, do you mean it? …You want to be with us, forever?” it asked incredulously, hope so heavy in its voice it could be heart-wracking if this wasn’t meant to be a happy affair.

Thoughtfully, Eddie touched the bite mark on Venom’s neck. From their first time together, Venom hadn’t let it fade. And when Venom had done the same on his neck, he refused to let Venom heal it. It would scar, permanently. A heat blossomed on the symbiote’s skin where he touched, giddy with reciprocation.

“Might be the world’s biggest idiot, but I’m pretty sure I know what my heart wants, Ven. An’ it wants you.”

Without a moment’s further hesitance, Venom’s threw its arms around Eddie’s neck and they kissed passionately for a long, tender moment.

“I love you, Eddie.”

“Same here, love.”

[heimwee2456]

Just like with other Germanic words, “Schönbrunn” can be literally translated to English and means “beautiful fountain”, a reference reportedly uttered by Emperor Matthias while passing by the fountain in 1619 while hunting.

In those days was this area, located circa 6 kilometres from the city centre, considered a countryside, therefore many aristocrats came here to relax and indulge in some hunting.

Trying to be the copy of the Palace of Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace was built in its current form on the peak of Austria’s Baroque glory over the course of several decades in the 18th century.

Austria’s mother of the nation, Empress Maria Theresia was the first who decided to make this former hunting chalet the summer residence of the Habsburgs. It was first modified in 1737 by Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach and again in 1744 by Nikolaus Pacassi. The formal gardens were originally laid out in 1705–06 by Jean-Nicolas Jadot de Ville-Issey and from 1765 were redesigned by Ferdinand von Hohenberg. Schönbrunn Tiergarten, perhaps the oldest zoo in Europe, was founded within the grounds in 1752.

Therefore this palace comes with all the bits and pieces a Baroque palace should have: pretty facades, formal gardens, amaze, an orangerie green house, a zoo, botanical gardens, facilities for carriages and for entertaining guests at state balls, state apartments and representative halls. The entire park complex, open to the public since 1918, covers more than 2 square kilometres.

While only 40 of the Schönbrunn Palace’s 1,441 rooms are open to the public, they are enough to provide visitors with a sense of its magnificence. Only accessible as part of a tour, the rooms on display include a number in the palace’s West Wing, home to the sumptuous Apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (or Sisi).

Richly furnished in 19th-century style, the rooms include the Emperor’s Audience Chamber and the Walnut Room, named after its rich walnut paneling from 1766, a highlight of which is the candelabra carved out of wood and covered in gold. Another highlight is Franz Joseph’s Bedroom with the simple soldier’s bed in which the Emperor died on November 21st, 1916, after a reign of 68 years. Also of note here is Empress Elisabeth’s Salon with its pastel portraits of her children by Jean-Etienne Liotard.

Of the apartments once occupied by Maria Theresa, some of the most attractive are the Bergl Rooms, the richly furnished Garden Apartments with their exotic decorative styles and including works by Johann Bergl. Other highlights include Marie Antoinette’s Room (Napoleon famously stayed here) with its celebrated portrait of Francis I displaying the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece; the Nursery with its portrait of Marie Antoinette; the Yellow Room with its white marble clock, a gift from Napoleon III to Franz Joseph I; and the Breakfast Room with its fine floral paintings thought be the work of the Empress’ daughters. Also of note are the Great Gallery, once home to glittering Imperial banquets under ornate ceiling paintings; the Million Room, Maria Theresa’s private salon, paneled with precious rosewood, ornamented with gilt carvings, and home to some 260 Indian and Persian miniatures; and the Hall of Mirrors with its crystal mirrors in gilded Rococo frames.

There are plenty of tours offered, combining exploring the city centre with Schönbrunn, however, in my opinion is the best choice to tour the city centre by yourself for free (many audioguides are available for free on the internet, like izi.travel app, which provides detailed maps with very elaborate audioguide about each place on the map – only in Vienna I found about 9 tours all around the town (I tried three of them)). And then just come here and buy a classic tour around the chambers, without any expensive guides since even those can be found anywhere for free – you just have to know what to look for.

However, I prefer gardens more than the palace (that says a lot since I’m a passionate architecture lover). They’re way less crowded than the interiors and have a lot of secrets! Someplace it’s only you and the animals around. They kinda remind me of Versailles although those in Versailles are larger and hide more intimate corners.

Between the “landmarks” you’ve definitely already heard about or at least saw on some kind of social media re:

Gloriette – it was built as a belvedere around 100 years after the main palace and stands on top of a hill overlooking the baroque gardens, the palace and Vienna. There is an observation terrace on the flat roof, which can be used between April and November. Inside is a café/patisserie/breakfast point with, surprisingly, very good coffee and even better view.

left – view from the Gloriette, right – view at the Gloriette

ZOO – one of Europe’s best zoos, Schönbrunn Zoo is one of the best attractions if you visit Vienna with kids. It’s situated between the palace and Gloriette on the right side. It’s huge and breathtaking, therefore also a little bit expensive, but as for a one-time experience it’s amazing. I was there when I was about 11 (I had a thing for ZOOs and visited every single one within 600 kilometres from my hometown), and I remember liking this one the most. However, this time I didn’t visit it – I found 20 euros too much for my current financial state, huh.

For additional old world grandeur with a warm feeling head to the Palm house. The gigantic glass iron construction goes back to the late 19th century, and is the largest of its kind on the European continent. You will likely know Mediterranean, Tropical and Northern vegetation, but it’s nice to imagine the Habsburgs getting all excited about it. Clearly, the best time to visit the Palmenhaus is when it’s cold outside. This one is not for free, it’s part of those tours you can buy at the entrance.

Originally known as the Ruin of Carthage, the Roman Ruin is a set of follies designed by the architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg and erected as an entirely new architectural feature in 1778. Fully integrated into its parkland surroundings, this architectural ensemble should be understood as a picturesque horticultural feature and not simply as a ruin, which due to lack of maintenance it had increasingly grown to resemble prior to its recent restoration. The fashion for picturesque ruins that became widespread with the rise of the Romantic movement soon after the middle of the 18th century symbolized both the decline of once great powers and the preservation of the remains of a heroic past.

Erected at the same time not far from the Roman Ruin, the Obelisk Fountain was intended to complete the iconographic program of the park at Schönbrunn as a symbol of stability and permanence. The Roman Ruin consists of a rectangular pool enclosed by a massive arch with lateral walls, evoking the impression of an ancient edifice slowly crumbling into the ground. In the pool in front of the ruin is a seemingly haphazard arrangement of stone fragments supporting a figural group which symbolizes the rivers Vltava and Elbe.

the glorious palace

All in all, I think the best way to enjoy this magnificient complex is by simple walking around with your eyes wide open – I find those gardens the true architectural gem rather than the Baroque palace. I really loved this place and I recommend every one of you to visit it at least once in your life.

However, if I was supposed to choose between Schönbrunn and Versailles, I’d go for Versailles without any doubts, I like that feeling of secrecy between those neverending tall hedges in Versailles’ gardens.

but I mean….the trees aren’t bad here nonetheless

  And finally, how to get there?

From the centre, the U4 subway takes you to the palace and there are two relevant subway stations, however the one named simply “Schönbrunn” is the closer to the entrance gate than the other one, which is used more by locals who go for a run there.

Also trams 10 and 60, and bus 10A all have a stop called “Schloss Schönbrunn”, which is situated right opposite the main entrance. If the latter is not obvious (it should be), look for the huge gateway flanked by two giant marble columns topped by golden eagles.

Another option is to drive to the free car park intended for zoo visitors at the rear of the park area (Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 1). That’s likely to have space unless it’s a weekend, holiday, or a particularly fine day. But I’d recommend you to leave your car behind, the public transport is cheaper and more ecological, so why not?

I’d like to ask you: Which do you like more? Gardens of Schönbrunn or Versailles? I’m very curious!

Have a great day!

  Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens

Just like with other Germanic words, “Schönbrunn” can be literally translated to English and means “beautiful fountain”, a reference reportedly uttered by Emperor Matthias while passing by the fountain in 1619 while hunting.

Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Just like with other Germanic words, "Schönbrunn" can be literally translated to English and means "beautiful fountain", a reference reportedly uttered by Emperor Matthias while passing by the fountain in 1619 while hunting.