Sonnenuhrhaus

In 1904, a rather unassuming building sprouted up in Schönbrunn Palace Park. It was christened the Sonnenuhrhaus, or Sundial House, due to a sundial gracing the gardens to its south. The Sonnenuhrhaus wasn’t designed to be a showstopper. Its purpose was purely practical. It replaced an older greenhouse that could no longer cater to the needs of its precious botanical inhabitants. This new structure, with its glass roof and south-facing facade, provided an ideal environment for the extensive “New Holland Collection”. This collection, primarily from Australia, was assembled by Charles von Hügel and acquired by the Imperial Court in 1848. The Sonnenuhrhaus later expanded its collection, welcoming plants from southern Africa and the Americas that thrived in similar conditions. Fast forward to World War II. An air raid in February 1945 nearly obliterated the windows of the nearby Palm House. The Sonnenuhrhaus, however, remained largely unscathed, likely due to the Palm House shielding it from the blast. The Sonnenuhrhaus became a sanctuary, temporarily housing plants from the damaged Palm House. It served this role again between 1986 and 1990 during the Palm House’s renovation. The Sonnenuhrhaus had a brief stint as Austria’s first butterfly zoo from 1990 to 1998, after which the butterflies fluttered off to the Burggarten greenhouse. Rust threatened the Sonnenuhrhaus’s steel framework, leading to its closure in 1998. A meticulous renovation followed from 2000 to 2003. The Sonnenuhrhaus was reborn as the Wüstenhaus, or Desert House. This collaborative project between the Vienna Zoo and the Austrian Federal Gardens showcases succulent plants and desert creatures. You can now witness the wonders of desert life, from jerboas to reptiles, all within the walls of the once-humble Sonnenuhrhaus. The Desert House holds an even more special secret. Two Welwitschias, a rare and endangered desert plant, reside within. One male, one female. These ancient plants can live up to 2,000 years. While the specimens in the Desert House are relatively young at 40 years old, they offer a glimpse into the enduring power of nature. These plants, originating from Frankfurt University Botanic Gardens, stand as a testament to the Sonnenuhrhaus’s transformation. From a simple greenhouse to a haven for desert life, the Sonnenuhrhaus continues to evolve.