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An Englishman in Vienna?

A question repeated many times during my years at Schönbrunn.

I first came to Schönbrunn as a tourist, arriving in Austria in 1972. With no knowledge of the German Language at that time I could not have imagined that two years later I would be employed in the palace of Schönbrunn as a guide. Long hours of study after work, both in order to improve my use of German and to learn the history of Austria and the Palace were eventually to enable me to pass the required exams.

By 1980 I was to undertake the supervision of the Imperial apartments and its guides also to be involved in first attempts to modernise the tours and the updating of pre-war administration of the Imperial apartments. I was to witness many changes both in my work and the running of the palace.

I still achieve most satisfaction when imparting knowledge, gained over the years, to others making their first or subsequent visits to Schönbrunn, this whether they be tourists or one the many VIPs it has been my pleasure to escort around this magnificent building.

In the 1990's the State Administration of Schönbrunn was handed over to a professional and dynamic private company, who, avoiding no expense has further developed and improved facilities in and around the palace. Today we see continuing restoration, bringing Schönbrunn ever closer to its former glory in the time of its heyday.

Part of my duties over the years has been to compile and write scripts for the trainee guides (these were mainly students) who needed to refresh their knowledge from time to time ensuring the visitors would be given correct information. A matter of great importance to me as a person fortunate enough to have spent more time in Schönbrunn than many of its Royal inhabitants.

The history of Schönbrunn as a whole has always been tied closely together with the history of Austria, this being the scene of many political conferences, receptions and suchlike. Schönbrunn and the history of Europe are forever one and part of the whole. My intention is to set out and to link the past and present of Austria's place in Europe and to remind us that we presently are creating the history of the future.