Everything You Need To Know About What's Inside Belvedere Palace
It is no surprise that Vienna is a popular tourist destination given its magnificent architecture and vibrant culture. Among the iconic attractions in the city, one name that stands out from the others is the Belvedere Palace. An architectural masterwork of bygone aristocratic glory, the Belvedere palace is the finest example of Baroque architecture. This distinctive architectural design of Belvedere Palace, created by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, takes you for a ride back in time.
Here’s all the related information on what is inside the palace.
About Belvedere Palace Vienna
Belvedere Palace is unquestionably one of Vienna's most popular tourist destinations and a significant historic location. The magnificent attraction is made up of the Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere, two Baroque residences constructed for Prince Eugene. These two parts of the palace house mind-blowing art collections like Prince Eugene's stucco military medals and Middle Ages art collections. A variety of works from artists like Egon Schiele and Van Gogh can be found inside the Belvedere Palace, which is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides the permanent collections at the Upper Belvedere, special exhibitions at the Lower Belvedere, and the contemporary art at the Belvedere 21, you will also enjoy the beauty of nature at the palace gardens.
Know more about Belvedere PalaceTop Things To See Inside Belvedere Palace Vienna
Not only is the Belvedere an exquisite palace, but also, it showcases Austria's most priceless art collections and architectural elements through several sections.
Upper Belvedere Palace
This beautiful palace, widely regarded as a work of art in its own right, houses most of the Belvedere Palace's extensive art collection. Following Prince Eugene's death, Empress Maria Theresa purchased the palace complex and renovated the Upper Belvedere to serve as a venue for exhibiting the royal art treasures. One of the oldest public museums in history, the interiors of this palace adorn frescoes that show off Alexander the Great's victories as well as a stucco relief that goes with it. The Upper Belvedere also includes the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings in the world, as well as works by Oskar Kokoschka, Egon Schiele, Ferdinand Waldmüller, and other masters of the Art Nouveau movement.
Lower Belvedere Palace
The Lower Palace at Belvedere, constructed to serve as a residential palace, is as beautiful and grand as the large Upper Palace. After being finished in 1716, the Lower Belvedere served as a dividing line between the Vienna imperial city and the Baroque architectural complex. The lavish ceiling fresco and the oval-shaped plaster medallions in this spacious chamber are its main highlights. Besides, the famous marble hall houses hard-won war trophies, statues of imprisoned opponents, and terraces and alcoves constructed with paintings intended to provide optical illusions of architectural structures.
Belvedere’s Orangery
The Orangery was initially a heated nursery for citrus trees. The construction of Orangerie was exceptional in that its roof and façade could be taken off during the summer. The trees were moved to Schönbrunn Palace's Pomeranzenhaus after Prince Eugene's death. In 1805, the Orangery's retractable roof was renovated and transformed into stables. Later, in order to create a contemporary, white-cube exhibition space, the Orangery's interior was renovated again in 2007.
Belvedere 21 Museum
The Belvedere 21 is a space hosting performance interventions, movie screenings, thematic lectures, concerts, and artists' talks. It provides a forum for the neighbourhood's creative community to interact with a supportive audience. Some of the most intriguing modern artworks acquired by the Austrian state since World War II's end are also on display at the Belvedere 21 Museum.
The Belvedere Gardens
The magnificent Belvedere Gardens, which connects the Upper and Lower palaces, include many statues gracing their various fountain bodies. It was created in accordance with Hildebrandt's overarching vision of a terraced park with waterfalls and symmetrical staircases bordered by hedges and walks. Breathtaking views of the garden and Vienna Woods can be enjoyed from the terrace across from Upper Belvedere.
Book Tickets To Belvedere Palace
Visitor Tips
- Only those who have a valid time slot ticket may access the Upper and Lower Belvedere.
- Through the use of sensory-friendly resources, visitors with impairments can also explore the palace.
- Food and beverages cannot be brought into or consumed inside the exhibition spaces.
- For visitors with impairments, wheelchairs are available. Additionally, there are chairs accessible in the exhibition halls.
- Audio Guides are available in English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, etc.
- Private, non-commercial photography and filming are permitted inside the museum.
- You can submit an application to the palace’s communications department for a licence to record videos or take pictures for research or reporting purposes.
- It is advised to bring your own headsets when taking an audio tour for hygienic reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Belvedere Palace History
A. This magnificent attraction is made up of the Lower Belvedere and the Upper (Oberes) Belvedere, which houses plenty of Austria's most significant art collections.
A. Yes. You can tour inside Belvedere Palace after purchasing the tickets.
A. The entire Belvedere Palace complex, including the gardens, is nearly a kilometer long and is situated on a slight incline.
A. Yes, private and non-commercial photography and filming are permitted at the museum without using flash, tripods, or selfie sticks at Belvedere Palace.
A. No. You must have the tickets to enjoy access to the Belvedere Palace.
A. Yes. The Belvedere Palace is a UNESCO Heritage site that showcases art, and architectural elements from the past, which is really worth exploring.
A. Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, a renowned Baroque architect, was hired to construct the palace in the 18th century.
A. The Belvedere Palace is located at the Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria.
A. The Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere were built in 1714 and 1724 respectively.