Everything You Need To Know About Belvedere Palace, Vienna's Baroque Masterpiece
A testament to the astounding Baroque culture, the magnificent Belvedere Palace is located in the capital city of Austria. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belvedere Palace is one of the most stunning landmarks in Europe. The Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere, as well as the beautiful extensive garden, will fill you in awe at the beauty of the palace. The Belvedere Palaces also houses one of the most valuable art collections of Austria by prominent artists, including Gustav Klimt, Messerschmidt, Carlo Carlone and Egon Schiele. Find out everything you need to know about this structure.
Quick Facts About Belvedere Palace
- Official name: Österreichische Galerie Belvedere
- Location/Address: The Belvedere Palace, which comprises of Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, and the Belvedere 21, is located at Prinz- Eugen- Straße 27, 1030, Wien, in Vienna, Austria.
- Date of opening: The picture gallery at the Upper Belvedere opened in 1781 when Maria Theresa acquired the Belvedere estates. It is considered to be one of the world’s first public museums.
- Timings: Timings of Lower Belvedere- 9 Am to 6 PM, Upper Belvedere- 10 AM to 6 PM, Belvedere 21- 11 AM to 6 PM
- Architect: Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt
- Architectural style: Baroque Style of Architecture
- Number of visitors per year: More than 1.5 million guests per year
What is the Belvedere Palace?
One of the most stunning architectural ensembles in Europe, the Belvedere Palace is a historic building complex in Vienna. The ancestral roots of the Vienna can be traced back to Roman and Celtic settlements. With the expansion of the Baroque culture in Europe in the 17th century, Vienna soon transformed into a Baroque city with structures and gardens, representing the Baroque style of architecture. In the 18th century, Baroque architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt was commissioned by the Austrian General, Prince Eugene of Savoy to build him a summer residence. After the demise of Prince Eugene, Maria Theresa acquired the Belvedere Palace and converted the Upper Belvedere into an exhibition venue for the imperial collections. This is considered to be one of the first public museums in the world.
Learn about the history of Belvedere PalaceWhy visit the Belvedere Palace in Vienna?
- Vienna is widely known for its Baroque architecture, and if there is one place that truly encapsulates the beauty of the Baroque architecture, it is the Belvedere Palace. Built by the Baroque Architect, Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, this is a must-visit.
- The Upper Belvedere is considered to be one of the first public museums in the world. After the death of Prince Eugene, Maria Theresa transformed the Upper Belvedere into an imperial-collection exhibition venue.
- Belvedere 21 is a magnificent structure that is an architectural icon of post-war Modernism. This structure, built by architect Karl Schwanzer, provides the Belvedere Palace with a contemporary outlook.
- Once a venue for important historical events, the Marble hall, will astound you with the scenic view of Vienna.
- One of the most fascinating aspects of Belvedere Palace is the illustrious exhibitions that are housed here. Some of these include, Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, busts by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, and the most famous image of Napoleon Bonaparte.
- The Lower Belvedere also has its charm with Groteskensaal, Marble Gallery, and the Golden Room,
Plan Your Visit To Belvedere Palace
Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria
The Belvedere Palace complex has three marvellous structures that include the Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, and Belvedere 21. The Schwarzenberg Garten is the closest landmark to the Belvedere Palace. Located at a distance of 3 km from the Vienna city center, you can also walk to the Belvedere Palace by getting on to “Ring Boulevard.”
Getting to Belvedere PalaceThe opening hours for Belvedere Palace are different for all three structures. Read below to know the opening hours:
- Lower Belvedere: Monday to Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM
- Upper Belvedere: Monday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM
- Belvedere 21: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM
Since the Belvedere 21 is an exhibition, you can also visit the palace on Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, also open on Monday Holidays. - Note: You can also visit the Belvedere Palace on weekends, public holidays, and even during vacation periods. However, ensure that you purchase the tickets online in advance so that you get to choose your desired time slot.
History of Belvedere Palace
The history of the Belvedere Palace goes back to the 17th century when the Prince of Eugene commissioned Baroque Architect, Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, to build a summer residence. The Construction work for the summer residence began in 1712, in what is today the Lower Belvedere, while the construction of Upper Belvedere began in 1717. Prince Eugene also commissioned, Carlo Carlone, a pioneer of the Rococo style to paint the fresco ceiling of the Marble Hall. However soon after the Prince died in 1736, the museum was acquired by his niece, Maria Theresa, who converted the Upper Belvedere into one of the first public museums in the world. In 1908, the Imperial Ministry of culture acquired the Palace’s most renowned pieces of Art- Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, In 1845, during World War II, the Belvedere Palace became severely damaged and had to undergo renovation. However soon after its renovation, the Belvedere Palace witnessed one of its most exemplary moments, when the Austria State Treaty declaring Austria free was signed at the Upper Belvedere. The latest addition to the Belvedere Palace, the Belvedere 21 was built by the architect Karl Schwanze for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. It was later transferred, renovated, and rebranded as the iconic Belvedere 21, in 2011.
The Architecture of the Belvedere Palace
In keeping up with the architecture of most of the places in Vienna around the 17th century, the Belvedere Palace has Baroque architecture. The stunning landmark was constructed by a renowned architect, Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. Moreover, the Belvedere Palace had received architectural contributions from many great architects and artists of that time., In 1718, Dominique Girard, a French garden architect was summoned for the construction of the Baroque Park. His expertise in the design of the garden and water technology is tangible in the Baroque Pearl. The ceiling fresco in the Upper Belvedere Marble Hall was painted by the great pioneer of the Rococo style Carlo Carlone, while the recent Belvedere 21 was constructed by Karl Schwanzer. The building continues to be an Architectural icon of post-war modernism.
Find out what's inside Belvedere PalaceWho built the Belvedere Palace?
The stunning Belvedere Palace was built by the Austrian Baroque architect, Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. Johann’s work has a strong influence on the architecture of Central and Southern Europe. He was inspired by the architectural era in France of Louis XIV. Some of his other works of prominence include- Schönborn Castle near Göllersdorf, northwest of Vienna, Schönborn Castle near Göllersdorf, northwest of Vienna, in Salzburg; and the episcopal residence at Würzburg, Ger.
What’s inside the Belvedere Palace?
The beauty of the Belvedere Palace is only enhanced when you enter the palaces to see the most valuable art collections that are exhibited there. Some of these masterpieces include:
- Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss: The Imperial Ministry of Culture and Education for Modern Gallery acquired Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss in 1908. The most famous work by Klimt, “The Kiss“ is the final painting from Klimt's Gold Period. During this time, gold leaf was incorporated into his works. The enchanting painting features Klimt and Emilia Floge, his muse. The aspects of love with subtle hints of the sensual energy shared between the two make for a painting that should not be missed while visiting the Belvedere Palace.
- Character Heads by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt: The Character Heads are displayed on the first floor of the Upper Belvedere. The 16 Character Heads on display in Belvedere show a series of avant-garde expressions. What some may rumor to be a product of the artist’s schizophrenia may as well be the artist’s genius imagination.
- The Marble Hall: What initially served as the place for ceremonial receptions in its time, The Marble Hall is now a structure that shows the success of Prince Eugene as a commander. The Marble Hall also serves as a great place to see the view of Vienna.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Belvedere Palace
A. The Belvedere Palace is a historical complex building that served as the summer residence of the Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 17th century. The Palace now houses some famous art wonders from prominent artists.
A. The Belvedere Palace is situated in Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria. The Palace is located at a distance of 3 km from the city centre by car.
A. The Belvedere Palace is famous for its Baroque-styled Palace and 800-year history. The Belvedere Palace also houses some of the famous masterpieces by Klimt, van Gogh, Messerschmidt, Funke, and Schiele.
A. If you are interested in the art and culture of Baroque, Belvedere Palace is the place to go to. The marvellous paintings that are exhibited in the Palace make this Palace a must-visit.
A. Visiting the Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere is only possible if you have a valid time slot. You can buy the Belvedere Palace tickets online which will allow you to secure a time slot as per your preference.
A. The ticket for Upper Belvedere Palace and Lower Belvedere Palace can be bought together or separately. The cost of the Upper Belvedere Palace ticket is approximately 17 euros while the Lower Belvedere Palace ticket costs around 15 euros. Together it will cost you approximately 25 euros.
A. The Belvedere Palace was designed by Baroque Architect, Johann Lukas von Hildebrand. The Palace was originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
A. The Museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. You can also visit the Palace on public holidays or during the vacation period, but ensure that you book your desired time slot in advance.
A. Some of the famous artists whose works are on display at the Belvedere Palace include Klimt, Messerschmidt, Van Gogh, Schiele, and Funke. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt is the most renowned piece of art which is on display in the Belvedere Palace.