Tiergarten Schönbrunn, known internationally as Vienna Zoo, opened on July 31, 1752, on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. Founded by Francis Stephen of Lorraine as an imperial menagerie for the Habsburg court, it holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest zoo still in operation, having survived more than 270 years of history including two World Wars.
Today the zoo sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the baroque Schönbrunn Palace gardens, blending an 18th-century pavilion with modern, naturalistic enclosures. It houses more than 6,000 animals across roughly 500 species on just 17 hectares (42 acres), drawing more than 2 million visitors annually and remaining one of Vienna’s most popular attractions.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria
- Opened: July 31, 1752
- Size: 17 hectares (about 42 acres)
- Species: About 502 species, roughly 6,200 animals
- Annual visitors: More than 2 million
- Famous for: World’s oldest zoo still in operation; one of only 27 zoos worldwide with giant pandas
A Palace Zoo With Imperial Roots
Vienna Zoo began as a menagerie built for the Habsburg-Lorraine imperial family, with its original 1759 pavilion still standing at the center of the grounds today. Emperor Franz Joseph I later opened it to the public in the 19th century, and it has continued operating on the same site ever since, making it a rare surviving example of an 18th-century royal menagerie turned modern zoo.
Despite its historic footprint, the zoo has modernized extensively, replacing older cages with naturalistic habitats for species ranging from Amur tigers to orangutans, while preserving the baroque layout that ties it to the surrounding Schönbrunn Palace gardens.
Giant Pandas and Conservation Breeding
Vienna Zoo is one of just a handful of European zoos to house giant pandas, and it has become known for breeding success with the species. Panda Yang Yang became known as the first captive panda to raise twins without keeper intervention, a milestone that drew international attention to the zoo’s conservation program.
The zoo’s breeding and animal welfare work has also earned it multiple European ‘Best Zoo’ awards, reflecting a broader shift from historic menagerie toward a modern conservation and research institution.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Vienna Zoo FAQs
Is Vienna Zoo the oldest zoo in the world?
Yes. Tiergarten Schönbrunn opened on July 31, 1752, making it the oldest zoo still in operation anywhere in the world.
Where is Vienna Zoo located?
It sits on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Does Vienna Zoo have giant pandas?
Yes, it is one of only about 27 zoos in the world to house giant pandas and has had notable breeding success with the species.
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Photo: Daniel Zupanc / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.