Roman Ruin — Attraction in Vienna

Originally known as the Ruin of Carthage, the Roman Ruin is a set of follies that was 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...

The Roman ruin is one of many featurettes on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace, you may miss this if you don't go off the main path from the gardens. It was designed in 1778, much newer than it was designed to look. That means that it was intentionally designed to look old even when it was new, that being the style at the time. I was here before 9:00AM and only saw a few other guests. I suggest being there when the grounds open for the best opportunities for photos and also to enjoy the peaceful nature before tour...

The Roman ruins in the Schonbrunn Vienna complex were built in 1778. Therefore they are of course not real Roman ruins, but strongly resemble them. They were built rather to decorate the park. They are located to the east of the other frequented fountain of Neptune along the avenue about 200 meters from it. The opening hours are from 6.30am to 9pm, but I doubt the closing time is that much because the gardens close earlier. GPS-...