Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence in Vienna, Austria, has announced that a new "fully comprehensive" visitor centre is to open at its main entrance later this year.
The new facility is scheduled to be completed by autumn and will accommodate ticket sales zones; a café; a waiting area; and a shop. It will be able to cater for 400 visitors at any time.
Plans have been drawn up in conjunction with the Austrian Federal Office for the Protection of Historic Monuments in response to increasing visitor numbers to the attraction.
Work will include the removal of partition walls in the interior of the Guards' Wing and the renewal of the roof structure. The project will cost around EUR5m (£4.2m, US$6.7m).
A spokesperson said: "The façades are being renovated and will remain largely unchanged, thus preserving the overall appearance of the ensemble."
Meanwhile, work remains on track to complete the revamp of the palace's Great Gallery this year. The EUR2.3m (£1.9m, US$3.1m) scheme has been undertaken in two phases.
The project, which will see the gilding and ceiling frescoes cleaned and retouched, started in February 2010. It also includes a strengthening of the walls.
Details:
www.schoenbrunn.at
