Introduction

Belvedere, in Italian, translates to beautiful view, and it aptly describes this place. The stunning vista encompasses two distinct elements. On one side, there’s the palace complex, built by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt in the early 18th century for Prince Eugene of Savoy. On the other side lies the extraordinary art collection known as the Austrian Belvedere Gallery, along with its temporary exhibitions.

These baroque two palaces, perched on a natural hill, connect via the Kammergarten, a unique private garden. Above them stands the Upper Belvedere, designed for banquets and celebrations, while the Lower Belvedere served as the prince’s summer residence.

There is also Belvedere 21, which was added to the complex at the latest. It was originally built for the Brussels Expo in 1958. Since 2002, it has been under the museum’s care, undergoing extensive renovation. Today, it serves as a space that combines art, performances, music, and film.

The Lower Belvedere

The history of constructing the urban palace outside Vienna’s walls began in 1697, thanks to the victorious commander and art enthusiast, Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736). Its initial architect was Johann Bernhard Fisher von Erlach, later succeeded by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt in 1702.The Lower Belvedere was completed in 1716, with only a few rooms designated for residential use. Most of the space was dedicated to an Orangery and grand stables. The heart of the palace is the Marble Hall, where the prince entertained his guests. To the west lies the regal bedroom, while the dining room graces the eastern side. Today, the Lower Belvedere and Orangery host temporary exhibitions. In the elegant stables, once home to the prince’s personal horses, visitors can admire medieval art.

The Upper Belvedere

Architect Lucas von Hildebrandt was responsible for the Upper Belvedere, constructed between 1717 and 1723. It served Prince Eugene for official receptions and grand ceremonies. In 1752, Empress Maria Theresa acquired the palace, and from 1775, on the orders of her son Joseph II, it housed paintings belonging to the imperial family. When Napoleon I threatened to invade Tyrol in 1806, a collection of paintings from Ambras Palace was relocated to the Lower Belvedere. In 1890, this collection, along with other imperial art collections, found a new home in the 🔗Museum of Art History in Vienna

The Upper Belvedere, an architectural gem, holds immense historical significance in Austria. Within its Marble Hall, on May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was signed by Leopold Figl and representatives from the four occupying powers: Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. This pivotal treaty marked the end of the Anschluss (Austria’s annexation in 1938) and the cessation of the country’s occupation by these major powers, which had persisted since 1945. As a result of the treaty, Austria regained its sovereign statehood and reverted to the borders of 1938.

The Garden

The garden, dating back to around 1700, is the oldest section of the complex. Its completion occurred in 1725. Notably, the garden featured an impressive water system. Prince Eugene secured a permit that granted access to the court’s water pipeline, enabling the installation of 12 fountains within the garden.

The sculptures in the garden symbolize the journey from the underground to Olympus. Achieving this, they cleverly utilize the natural 23-meter elevation difference between the Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere. As a result, the garden is divided into three distinct sections: the upper, middle, and ground levels. Facing the Lower Belvedere, within the Orangery area, lies the separate Chamber Garden. The upper portion of the decorations boasts sphinx sculptures, while the lower part proudly displays statues crafted by Giovanni Stanetti. Along the side pathways, eight Muses grace the scene, with the ninth, Kalliope, standing alongside Hercules. The ensemble is further enriched by allegorical representations of fire and water, as well as a captivating statue of Apollo and Daphne. Connecting the varying elevations are two meticulously adorned cascading fountains. The upper one, aptly named the Cascade Fountain, consists of two basins linked by a five-level cascade. Below, the Shell Fountain features central tritons adorned with delicate seashells. Throughout the three ground-level sections and the Chamber Garden, visitors can discover two smaller fountains. Since 1780, this entire complex has been open to the public. In the same year, Joseph II assumed the exclusive regency over Austria after the death of Maria Theresa.

Visit

The Upper Belvedere

The Upper Belvedere houses the most significant collection of Austrian art, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The ground floor’s western wing is dedicated to the medieval period, while the eastern wing focuses on Classical Modernism and the interwar years. On the first floor, the western wing showcases early 20th-century art, while the eastern wing features Baroque and the beginning of the 19th century. Finally, the uppermost floors exhibit Realism and Impressionism in the western wing, and Classicism, Romanticism, and Biedermeier in the eastern wing.

The Belvedere boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt. Within its walls, you’ll find a remarkable assembly of 24 works, including portraits, landscapes, and allegorical pieces—making it the most extensive collection of Klimt’s oil paintings.

This curated journey through Klimt’s art reveals his evolution. From early portraits like Sonja Knips (1898) and Fritza Riedler (1906) to the unfinished Johanna Staude (1917/18) and the iconic “Judith I”(1901), Klimt’s mastery unfolds.

The permanent collection also showcases Klimt’s allegorical and symbolic works. The monumental “The Kiss” (1908) stands as a pinnacle of Viennese Secession. Additionally, captivating landscapes such as “Blooming Poppies” (1907) and “Sunflower” (1907) grace the gallery.

Regrettably, the Belvedere no longer houses the exquisite portraits of Adele Bloch-Bauer. She was the sole woman portrayed twice by Klimt. The painting “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I”, often dubbed the Austrian “Mona Lisa”, remains one of Klimt’s most significant works. Since 2006, this masterpiece resides at the Neue Galerie New York, having been repatriated from rightful heirs who reclaimed five Klimt paintings seized by the Nazis from their family.

The Lower Belvedere

The Lower Belvedere hosts regular temporary exhibitions in its halls. The Orangery, now transformed into a modern exhibition space, also serves as a venue for various presentations. Additionally, the exhibition warehouse known as the “Treasury of the Middle Ages”, located in the former stables adjacent to the Lower Belvedere, showcases numerous objects of medieval sacred art.

Belvedere 21

In the open hall on the ground floor, temporary exhibitions are regularly presented, including large individual exhibitions. Additionally, the only fully preserved 1950s cinema in Vienna is located here.

Lastly, we’d like to offer you a suggestion on how to enhance your time at Belvedere, especially if you’re accompanied by children. You can engage in a fun activity of searching for the animals that once roamed this garden. The game can be 🌐 downloaded on your smartphone , and it looks like the one shown in the video below.