Content Blog: Compare and Contrast Palaces

Schonbrunn, Hofburg and Kew are all palaces of extreme historical importance, yet they all have their stark differences. Schonbrunn and Hofburg are both palaces belonging to the Austrian empire, serving as seasonal abodes. During the colder months, the royal family would live at the Hofburg, where the emperor would conduct his most important political affairs. During the Summer months, Schonbrunn would be occupied. Despite being a summer home, Schonbrunn would still serve to be a political domain; it was actually much less comforting for the empress. Schonbrunn shared only two similarities with Kew; they were both summer homes, and they were both accompanied by unhappiness. Kew was an ideal summer home. It was modest, homey, secluded and beautiful. The kids would play in the gardens, the king and queen would conduct no political business and there was happiness. The issue, though, was that they would usually go there for one soul reason; the king was having mental and physical difficulties. So, while the home may have been happy and secluded, it was thought of in an ill way due to being used only during family difficulties. This is similar to Schonbrunn. While it wasn't used for any specifically negative reason, Sissi was miserable while at the palace. She hated both palaces, but she had much less privacy and significantly less rooms at Schonbrunn. Both summer homes plagued by sadness and unrest, with the Hofburg being solely political business; it's like you can't win when in the royal family.