The gardens of Schönbrunn Palace are edged with 32 sculptures of equal height, each numbered for easy identification by visitors.

This lively statues is known as The Rape of Helen, showing Paris fleeing from Sparta with Helen, wife of King Menelaus, in his arms.  Beneath them is a pile of treasures stolen from hubby and a man on his knees with anchor and ropes in hand.  The story goes that she agreed to sail away with him but, needless to say, her husband was not happy and this incident led to the ten-year siege of Troy.

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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 9 December 2015