Hofgarten, the court park of the Austrian emperors, remembers the greatest rulers and outstanding Austrians. There are even trees here planted personally by Empress Maria Theresa; they are already about 300 years old.
Hofgarten itself has existed for more than 600 years, and over its long life it has managed to be a simple meadow by the river, a Renaissance-style park, and a French geometric garden with perfectly regular lawns and alleys. In 1858 Hofgarten turned into a luxurious English landscape park.
The park was founded in the 14th century by Archduke Ferdinand II, and in the 18th century Maria Theresa began to remake the park according to the trends of her favorite Rococo and Baroque styles. From that era, the Tyrolean Pavilion of Arts has remained in the park, built in 1733; classical music concerts, art exhibitions, and chess tournaments are now held there.
Another attraction of Hofgarten is the palm house, where more than 1700 exotic plants grow.
Hofgarten Park itself looks as if it has stepped off a postcard - perfect lawns, well-kept flowerbeds, neat little paths, and the spreading crowns of mighty trees. A place created for idyllic relaxation on the grass with a book or for enjoying the beauty of nature in blessed silence, in the middle of a noisy stone city. A special large lawn is set aside in the park for sitting and lying on the grass, next to which there is a children's playground.
