Vienna in winter is something out of a fairytale—but nothing quite prepared me for the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace. I was five months pregnant at the time, bundled in layers, heart full, and feet barely keeping up with the energy of the city. While we visited many museums across Vienna, it was Schönbrunn that etched itself into my memory forever.
The palace’s creamy Baroque façade stood against the crisp Austrian sky like something from a Klimt painting. Snow dusted its rooftops, and the courtyard looked like a royal stage waiting for a performance. Inside, the glow of gold-trimmed chandeliers and pastel frescoes warmed you instantly. I remember staring up at the ceiling, breath held—whole epics painted above our heads, surrounded by mirrors and walls dripping with rococo detail. Every step we took echoed with centuries of history.
In one photo, a view through a castle window frames a snowy spire and winding road below. In another, a forest path lined with white trees holds two kids mid-jump, capturing the sheer joy of the season. These scenes from Vienna complemented the richness of the palace itself—a city where you could embrace both fairytale fantasy and playful real-world joy.
The sculptures scattered around the exterior added another layer of charm—cherubs frozen in marble play or dance, while the fountains and gardens slept under layers of snow. It felt like a dream—a pause in time that embraced beauty, history, and family all in one breath.
Schönbrunn wasn’t just a museum. It was a moment. A pause in a pregnancy. A snow-covered storybook. A memory that will forever feel like winter magic.
Inside the Schonbrunn Palace. Photo source: Gina Kalliris
Photo source: The Perpetual Saturday and Unknown
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