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The Viennese have been allowed to visit the palace gardens since 1779, but some areas directly next to the castle remained reserved for the Habsburgs. They lived in their private garden but weren´t totally shielded off. Curious passersby could watch them while, for example, working in the vegetable garden. Until three small Archdukes conquered the area.
Archduke Franz, later Emperor Franz Joseph I, was born at Schönbrunn Palace on the 18th of August. A play, gymnastics and exercise area was set up for him and his three brothers in the Crown Prince Garden. Two wells were removed for this purpose. A wooden pavilion, open on all sides, was erected as a shelter from the rain or blazing sun. The Habsburg boys were fond of pretending they were Indians, armed with shields and spears, and dressed-up in feathers. As knights, they galloped on their horses through the garden and with a small cannon they bombarded the bastion on the east side. The gardener built an exotic straw hut surrounded by bushes and lianas for Archduke ´Maxi`, the later unfortunate Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. A chained parrot, a wooden red toad and a few squirrels kept him company.
The former playhouse stood empty for ten years and was finally converted, in the style of the late 1920s, to its present form. Initially a coffee house was opened in 1927, which was run by different tenants. During this time, the name "Meierei Schönbrunn" was established. As of 2010, the pavilion, in desperate need of renovation, was vacant. There were even plans to demolish and replace it with a steel glass pavilion. But this project was rejected - a blessing for the Querfeld family.
With the takeover of the old “Meierei Schönbrunn”, Irmgard and Berndt Querfeld fulfilled their heart´s desire. A lot of attention to detail, energy and passion went into the implementation of the plans. Together with the Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H., the pavilion was renovated. During excavation work, the two old wells re-emerge in the Meidlinger valley, which were still fully functional. However, seeing that the garden layout looked completely different, they were filled-up again. Also cannon ammunition of the Kaiserkinder was excavated. Exciting moments at this special place. After the foundation was created, architect Hans-Peter Schwarz designed the modern interiors of the pavilion. The bright wooden furniture harmonizes perfectly with the building. On its roof, two red-and-white weather flags are also fluttering now. In the garden, light blue umbrellas and many colourful chairs emphasize the cheerful basic ambience. On the 18th of June, Landtmann's Jausen Station was ceremoniously opened and has since conquered hearts with its loving atmosphere.
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