In our age of fast-food outlets and of consumers who tire of goods regularly, people are always on the lookout for newer and more up-to-date models. Even many of the buildings nowadays are built with a definite timespan. There are still places in our world, though, where we can go and take in the beauty of a former age. Castles, mosques, monasteries and churches all lure us by the glimpse they give of what life was once like. Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace is just such a place. A masterpiece of Baroque art, Schonbrunn was a place of retreat for Austria's royal family for centuries. It is now one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly seven million visitors a year to its buildings and parks. Some parts of the present palace were begun by the emperor Leopold I in 1696, to outrival the splendour of Versailles in Paris. The site he chose had been laid out with a plantation of rare and exotic plants over a hundred years earlier by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, who had also shown a great interest in the newly-founded zoo and its special care for wild animals. The parks at Schonbrunn were to be a feature over the centuries and, even to this day, provide relaxation for the citizens of Vienna. Leopold I's palace was altered and added to over the next hundred years, with something added here or taken away there, until it needed a drastic change to restore its unity. Empress Maria Theresia was to provide this. After much demolishing, re-shaping and re-building, the Palace of Schonbrunn achieved its present form by the end of her reign. Swirling Rococo features became the overall style of the palace. Its interiors were filled with gilt mirrors and chandeliers and Schonbrunn became the luxurious headquarters of the royal family and their rule of the Austro-Hungarian empire itself. Emperor Franz Josef I was born here in 1830 and he spent most of his life here. During his reign, the palace was once again remodeled to fit more perfectly wit its history. The emperor died here in his sleeping room on November 21, 1916. When the monarchy was abolished at the end of the First World War, Schonbrunn became the property of the new Austrian republic and for the first time in its history the ordinary citizens of Vienna were allowed to stroll in its parks. Eventually, the interior of the palace was also opened to the public, who were able to see the opulence in which the Hapsburgs had lived. Nowadays, visitors can see the magnificent state apartments of Maria Theresa and they can also visit her sitting rooms, bedroom and the parlour in which the six year-old Mozart used to play for her. After feasting on the art works, the ornaments and the furniture in almost forty rooms, visitors will still have only seen three per cent of the palace, which has a total of 1441 rooms. Outside, the parks and gardens include a Tyrolean garden, complete with alpine hut and a pasture, and a palm house with three different climate zones, with plants from rain forests from all continents. Also in the park, there is a puppet theatre and a maze, as well as other outdoor puzzles, such as a maths game. The park's fountains and statuary are legendary, reflecting the manners of a bygone age in the ponds and lakes. Schonbrunn played host in the 1960's to a meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Kruschev. In 1996 it was declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO. As the centre of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was for many years in close relations with the Muslim populations of the Balkans, many serving in the imperial army. This interaction between Austria and Islam stretches back, in fact, to 1525 when the Ottoman sultans tried to invade the Austrian empire. Islam was recognised as one of the country's religions as far back as 1912. With such a history, Islam in Austria has been relatively unproblematic compared to many of the other countries in Europe. To this day, the Austrian government provides religious freedom for all and nearly half a million Muslims enjoy legal rights and privileges unmatched by those offered to sometimes larger Muslim populations in other western countries. Muslims read in the Holy Qur'an: Reclining therein on couches, they will find there neither (Heat of) a sun Nor bitter cold. The shade thereof is close upon them and the clustered fruits Thereon bow down. Goblets of silver are brought round for them, and beakers (As of) glass. Their raiment will be fine green silk and gold embroidery. Bracelets of silver they will wear. Their Lord will slake their thirst with a pure drink. (Holy Qur'an 76:13-15, 21) For people of faith, whether Muslim or not, Schonbrunn has a message for today's world even though Austria today is largely secular. The magnificence and the opulence of the palace of Schonbrunn, beautiful as it may be, is but a pale reflection of what awaits those who do Allah's will. Neither emperors nor princes, they will be rewarded for a life well lived. In visiting Schonbrunn and enjoying its beauty, then, let us all look to live lives that are beautiful and prepare well for that future. British Muslim writer, Idris Tawfiq, teaches at Al-Azhar University and is the author of nine books about Islam. You can visit his website at http://www.idristawfiq.com/, join him on Facebook at Idris Tawfiq Page and listen to his Radio Show, ‘A Life in Question,' on Sundays at 11pm on Radio Cairo 95.4 FM.
