The central pavilion, now the zoo's restaurant, was designed by Jean Nicolas Jadot de Ville-Issey in 1752.
The zoo's first elephant arrived in 1770 as a gift from the Dutch East India Company.
It is one of the few zoos in Europe that keeps giant pandas, with all individuals remaining the property of the People's Republic of China.
The original enclosures were built as 13 star-shaped animal paddocks surrounding the central imperial breakfast pavilion.
The zoo features a 'Desert House' located in a former botanical greenhouse designed by Franz von Segenschmid.
In 1906, the zoo saw the birth of the world's first zoo-born African elephant.
The Orangery, originally used for citrus trees, now serves as an exhibition and event space within the zoo boundaries.
The zoo maintains a significant collection of rare amphibians and reptiles in its dedicated aquarium and terrarium sections.
Schönbrunn Zoo, located within the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace park in Vienna, is the world's oldest continuously operating zoo, established by Emperor Franz Stephan I in 1752. It houses over 700 species, including giant pandas, koalas, and polar bears, within a layout centered around an imperial pavilion. The facility combines historical Baroque architecture with modern, conservation-focused animal enclosures. It holds the record for being the first zoo to witness a natural giant panda birth in captivity without artificial insemination. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, integrated into the larger imperial estate. The zoo is actively involved in international breeding programs and scientific research initiatives. The grounds contain a historic desert house and an aquarium that integrates into the existing 18th-century structure. It remains one of the few zoos worldwide to successfully maintain a long-term presence of large, sensitive mammal species in an urban heritage setting.
The elevated viewing platform near the Gloriette, looking back down toward the zoo and palace complex.
Enter through the Hietzinger Tor gate for the shortest walk to the main animal enclosures.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park grounds are expansive and include significant inclines.
Download the official zoo app beforehand to access current feeding schedules and map updates.
Do not attempt to walk from the palace entrance to the zoo without considering the distance; the park is very large.
Open 365 days a year, including all public holidays.
Maintain silence near animal enclosures, refrain from using camera flashes, and do not feed the animals.
