Definition of the word orangery

The origin of the word "orangery" can be traced back to the Upper Gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, in the late 17th century. At this time, lemon and orange trees were introduced to European courts as a status symbol, and greenhouses were built to protect them from the cold winter weather. However, these greenhouses were not entirely successful, as they allowed too much heat to escape and resulted in the death of many of the trees. In 1710, the Austrian polymath Prince Eugene of Savoy commissioned a new and more advanced type of greenhouse, known as an orangery, at Schönbrunn Palace. This structure was designed with a special type of glass that allowed more light and heat to penetrate, as well as a unique ventilation system to control the temperature and humidity levels. The term "orangery" came from the fact that these structures were primarily used to house citrus trees, called "oranges" in English, especially during the winter months. The success of the Schönbrunn Orangery paved the way for the spread of this type of greenhouse, both in Europe and eventually in countries with a similar climate, such as America. The orangery became a popular feature in grand estates and public gardens, becoming not just a practical way to protect exotic plants and trees, but also a symbol of wealth, taste, and sophistication.