The pearl of the baroque is the most beautiful film location in Europe! It "starred" in a series with Kate Winslet
Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, a Baroque gem and former Habsburg residence, has gained new fame as the backdrop for HBO’s The Regime. It is here, amidst gilded halls and expansive gardens, that the story of fictional dictator Elena Vernham, played by Kate Winslet, unfolds. As a result, the palace has been honoured with the prestigious EUFCN Audience Location Award 2024, presented by the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN).
Schönbrunn Palace and its surrounding park are a European gem. However, the dazzling monument and its surroundings have recently become a film location! Viewers awarded the Baroque monument the prize for the most beautiful film location in Europe. This happened at this year's Berlinale festival. A reason to be proud? Definitely! Especially since the competition was huge.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna won the award, competing with other prestigious locations – the Tajogaite volcano in the Canary Islands, the historic city of Mdina in Malta and the Norwegian island of Frøya. However, Vienna and the palace, which was transformed into a monumental residence in the HBO series "The Regime", were ultimately chosen.
Viewers were delighted by the scenery of the fairy-tale Austrian palace. It was there that the series with Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant was filmed for four weeks.
Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna / Shutterstock“The Regime” is a satirical story about power, paranoia and the fall of authority. The series was filmed in Vienna in early 2023, and Schönbrunn Palace opened its interiors to international film production for the first time in history. Filming took place in representative halls such as the Berglzimmer and Weißgoldzimmer, on staircases and in the extensive palace park.
Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna - the setting for the series Regime / HBO press materialsDirector Stephen Frears and showrunner Will Tracy emphasized that they wanted to avoid the stereotypical image of an Eastern European regime. Instead, they opted for an aesthetic of Central European opulence with a touch of Habsburg decadence. Schönbrunn , with its baroque architecture and imperial grandeur, fit that vision perfectly.
The film crew, actors and local crew worked together in maximum harmony and filming took place under strict supervision, taking into account the historical value of the castle.
Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna - the setting for the series Regime / HBO press materialsSchönbrunn is not only a historical monument, but also a vibrant cultural centre. Every year , Christmas and Easter markets are held here, as well as the summer concert of the Vienna Philharmonic, which attracts over 100,000 people. The palace also offers daily classical concerts in the Orangery, as well as various exhibitions and cultural events.
Schönbrunn Palace and the surrounding park are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a favorite destination not only for filmmakers, but also for Viennese and, of course, tourists!
In 2023, Schönbrunn was visited by a record 4.35 million people (almost 40% more than in 2022). Although it can be crowded, is it worth visiting Vienna and its landmark – Schönbrunn Palace – during spring and summer trips? Definitely yes!
