Schönbrunn Zoo

The oldest zoo on the planet
Noteworthy for: The Kaiserglöckerl, a hand-rung bell, has signaled the zoo’s closing time for more than 240 years. The bell was also used to announce the advent of a royal visitor.

Emperor Franz I inaugurated Vienna’s zoo with his visit in 1752. Since then, the grounds and exhibition houses have been expanded considerably, but the site has continued on for more than two and half centuries as a home to a variety of animal species.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Schönbrunn Zoo has received a lot of attention. More than 500 different kinds of animals, representing every continent, can be found here. With all the upgrades and care given to the animals, this zoo is often voted the best in Europe, making it an ideal spot to educate children and the general public about the diversity of life on mother earth.