What would a historical novel be without a garden scene!
The palace gardens of the Hofburg in the mid-18th century present a real challenge to describe. The Innere Stadt — the historical core of Vienna — was surrounded by bastions, massive earth embankments forming the basis of the fortifications. The medieval city wall still stood, further restricting any available open space. This is why the Hofburg garden, located southwest of the palace between the main Burgtor (Castle Gate) and the former Löisel Bastion, was rather modest — entirely incomparable with the magnificent park layout of Schönbrunn.
According to old city maps, the garden was easily accessible from the Leopoldine Wing, where the Imperial family resided. The shortest route led through the Bellaria porch, which no longer exists. The maps show symmetrical paths fanning out from a central point (perhaps a fountain), bordered by neatly arranged bushes or hedges — all in the recognised Baroque style, though on a miniature scale.
It is even harder to visualise the view from the garden down across the glacis. On the map, it appears flat and expansive, rhythmically divided by avenues of young trees leading towards markets, aristocratic palaces and Imperial garrisons.
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