Schönbrunn Orangery

Franz I Stephan, the husband of Empress Maria Theresia, instigated the building of the Schönbrunn orangery (the building behind the fountain in this photo) in 1754. It is one of the two largest Baroque orangeries in the world, the other being at Versailles. The orangery served not only as the winter quarters for citrus trees and other potted plants but was also a winter garden used for imperial court festivities. During a winter festivity in 1786 Mozart conducted his Singspiel "The Impresario" here.