SCHMETTERLINGHAUS VIENNA
Butterflies in the Imperial Greenhouse
Lots of people have
hobbies. Some collect stamps, some coins, some people like to collect
bugs – excuse me, insects. Most collections can
fit in a drawer or closet. When emperors take an interest in a hobby,
the scale grows a little grander. The Hapsburg Kaiser wanted a place
to enjoy the peace and solitude of exotic nature without having to venture
far, so he had a glass greenhouse built at the corner of his palace court
garden and filled it with butterflies, now the Schmetterlinghaus in the
heart of Vienna at the Hofburg Palace Burggarten.
The
Imperial Tropical Butterfly House was once the private domain of the
Emperor Franz Joseph and his beloved Empress Sissi, first built in
1822 and incorporated into part of the old city wall. In 1901 the original
greenhouse was replaced with the current form called a Jugendstil or
Palmhouse, a massive full block long (128 meters). Since the end of empires
the Butterfly House fell into disrepair and was nearly torn down, 
but
saved and reopened to the public in 1998, now
one of the most visited tourist spots in Vienna. An expanse of glass
panes set in sculpted stone,
a step into the Schmetterlinghaus is an immediate journey from imperial
Austria to a tropical world from far away. Filled with exotic plants
and constantly humidified, 
the magical creatures of intricate and infinite
colors flit from leafy branch to hollow tree, bathed in the light from
the world outside. Visitors can wander a path through the recreated rainforest,
past the waterfall and through the dense growth as delicate wings flit
past. Photos are allowed at the and the Schmetterlinghaus can be a spot
to get a keepsake photo, but the flighty winged insects can be a challenge
to get to pause for a close-up. A longer lens can come in very handy
and the clammy humidity can readily fog a lens with an almost instant
coat of moisture for a extra challenge.
The Schetterlinghaus
is a beautiful example of Vienna’s imperial
architecture and the actual space for the butterflies only takes up half
the structure. Next to the enclosed butterfly greenhouse is the Palmenhaus
Café Bar, one of Vienna’s most popular restaurants. An expanse
of glass enclosed restaurant and bar, filled itself with plants, a great
spot to meet friends for a coffee, meal or drink. The menu is light and
prices are quite reasonable. The butterflies are separated from the café by
glass, but the moisture of the air penetrates and with a full house of
diners, can make you feel for a moment what it must be like to be a captive
butterfly. There is an outdoor terrace and music events are sometimes
held in summer. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Schmetterlinghaus
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SEE ALSO:
SCHONBRUNN - IMPERIAL SUMMER PALACE
TWO UNIQUE RESTAURANTS OF VIENNA
BEETHOVEN & ZUM SCHWARZEN KAMEEL
WIENER WIESN - VIENNA'S OKTOBERFEST
