Belvedere Palace
Vienna
The story of the Belvedere begins with one of Europe's most celebrated military commanders, Prince Eugene of Savoy. After his successful campaigns against the Ottoman Empire, he commissioned the renowned Baroque architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt to build a magnificent summer residence outside the city walls of Vienna. Construction began on the Lower Belvedere and the sprawling gardens in 1712, with the Upper Belvedere following in 1717. The entire complex, including the Orangery and Palace Stables, was completed by 1723.
Upon the death of Prince Eugene in 1736, the Belvedere passed to his niece, Princess Victoria, before being purchased by Empress Maria Theresa in 1752. It was under her reign that the palace took on its first life as a public museum. In 1776, she moved the Imperial Picture Gallery from the Hofburg Palace to the Upper Belvedere, opening it to the public in 1781 and making it one of the first public museums in the world.
The palace served various purposes over the centuries, including as a residence for the heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 triggered World War I. Following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the Belvedere was transformed into a national art gallery. Though it suffered significant damage during World War II, the palace was meticulously restored and continues to serve as a beacon of Austrian art and culture.
The Belvedere experience is a journey through three main areas: the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere, and the magnificent gardens that connect them. It is highly recommended to allocate at least 4-5 hours to fully explore the entire complex.
Upper Belvedere: A Treasury of Austrian Art
The Upper Belvedere is the crown jewel of the complex, housing the main permanent collection of the Belvedere Museum. This is where you will find the most famous masterpieces, particularly from the fin-de-siècle Viennese Modernism period.
Gustav Klimt's Masterpieces: No visit to the Belvedere is complete without seeing Gustav Klimt's iconic painting, The Kiss. This world-famous work is a central highlight of the collection. The museum also holds the largest collection of Klimt's works, including Judith I and The Bride. The Upper Belvedere's collection is a testament to the revolutionary art movement that defined Vienna at the turn of the 20th century.
Other Viennese Modernism Artists: Beyond Klimt, the Upper Belvedere features an impressive array of works by other celebrated artists of the period, such as Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Their expressionistic and often provocative art offers a powerful contrast to Klimt's decorative style.
Baroque and Medieval Collections: The Upper Belvedere is not solely dedicated to modernism. It also houses significant collections spanning from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. You'll find masterpieces by artists like Jacques-Louis David, including his famous portrait Napoleon at the Great St. Bernard, and works by Austrian Biedermeier painters. The medieval collection includes a number of impressive Gothic winged altars and sacred art.
The Palace Itself: The Upper Belvedere is a work of art in its own right. As you enter, the grand Sala Terrena will greet you with its four colossal Atlases supporting the vaulted ceiling. The Marble Hall on the first floor is a historical and artistic highlight. Its opulent décor, featuring rich gilding and reddish-brown marble, makes for a breathtaking sight. This hall is also historically significant as the location where the Austrian State Treaty was signed in 1955, re-establishing Austria as an independent nation after World War II. Don't miss the Carlone Hall with its stunning frescoes that create a sense of three-dimensional space.
Lower Belvedere: Exhibitions and Baroque Splendor
While the Upper Belvedere showcases the permanent collection, the Lower Belvedere is primarily dedicated to temporary exhibitions. These often focus on specific art historical periods, movements, or artists, providing a dynamic and ever-changing reason to revisit the museum.
The State Rooms: Despite its focus on temporary exhibits, the Lower Belvedere retains its own set of breathtaking state rooms. The Marble Gallery and the Gold Cabinet are particularly notable. The Gold Cabinet, with its ornate gilded and mirrored walls, has remained in its original condition since the 18th century. The Hall of Grotesques is another must-see, adorned with intricate, vibrant paintings that were a popular style in the 18th century.
The Orangery and Palace Stables: These historic buildings, attached to the Lower Belvedere, are also used for exhibitions. The Orangery, once used to house orange trees during the winter, now provides a bright and airy space for modern art installations. The Palace Stables, with their medieval collection, offer a fascinating look at sacred art from a different era.
The Belvedere Gardens
The gardens are a crucial part of the Belvedere experience, linking the two palaces and offering a peaceful oasis in the city. The Baroque gardens are considered among the finest in Europe and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Baroque Landscape: The gardens are laid out in a strict symmetrical pattern with meticulously trimmed hedges, artful flowerbeds, and elegant water basins. The main feature is a series of cascading fountains and water features that run along the central axis between the two palaces.
Sculptures and Sphinxes: Throughout the gardens, you will find a number of sculptures, including the playful cherubic sphinx statues, adding to the mythical and decorative atmosphere.
Alpine Garden: Located next to the Lower Belvedere, the Alpine Garden is a smaller, more intimate space. It is Europe's oldest botanical garden of its kind and is home to over 4,000 different types of Alpine plants, making it a spectacular sight in the spring and summer.