Everything You Need To Know About Upper Belvedere Palace
One of the best baroque palaces in the world and a haven of art, Belvedere Palace is equally as impressive architecturally as its interiors are. In addition to being among the most remarkable Baroque constructions in Austria, the palace is also one of the nation's most stunning historical monuments. The Lower Belvedere and Upper Belvedere are two distinct palaces that make up the baroque palace. Among these, the Upper Belvedere is a cultural gem that houses works of Austrian art and famous paintings from the imperial picture gallery.
If you are planning to start your tour from the Upper Belvedere, here is some essential information that will help.
What is Upper Belvedere Palace Vienna?
The majority of the permanent exhibits from the vast Belvedere art collections are located in the Upper Belvedere palace, along with other temporary exhibitions. Designed by Lukas von Hildebrandt, this exquisite Baroque palace, a part of the palace complex, is worth a visit simply because of its structural and artistic appeal. The world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings is also housed at the Upper Belvedere.
Hence, if you are an aesthete or love exploring historically relevant sights, a visit to this palace is sure to be a treat to your senses.
Where is Upper Belvedere Palace Located?
Address: Upper Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
The Belvedere Castle is situated in the Landstraße neighbourhood, south of Vienna's Old Town.
Why is Upper Belvedere Palace Famous?
The Upper Belvedere was constructed between 1717 and 1723 in accordance with the designs of Lucas von Hildebrandt. During the reign of Prince Eugene, it served as a place for festivals, official fetes, and state functions. At present, the palace houses some masterpieces of art from famous artists.
The majestic two-story Marble Hall, the octagonal Palace Chapel, and the other themed rooms showcase the permanent exhibition that includes masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present. Besides, the Gustav Klimt exhibition on the first floor of the Upper Belvedere is a must-see for anybody interested in Art or who wants to view the artist's famous work The Kiss, one of the Upper Belvedere's best highlights.
What’s Inside Upper Belvedere Palace?
Home to the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, the Upper Belvedere Palace also has several attractive elements like:
The Grand Staircase
The Upper Belvedere's staircase still serves as a reminder of the past where the main entrance formerly stood on the south side. Through the staircase, the visitors would have reached directly to the palace's main floor. While the painting of Darius' wives standing in front of Alexander adorns the left wall, the right wall is decorated with a fresco showing Alexander the Great defeating Darius.
The Marble Hall
The Marble Hall serves as the Upper Belvedere's main point of attraction. Rising up with a height that equals two stories, the hall is distinguished by enormous ceiling frescoes, reddish-brown marble, and lavish gilding. The frescoes in the hall were painted by art maestros such as Marcantonio Chiarini, Carlo Innocenzo Carlone, and Gaetano Fanti. Despite the room's early 1700s origins, its most significant historical event occurred in 1955 when the delegates of the four colonial countries signed the agreement that gave Austria freedom.
Sala Terrana
Four imposing atlases dominate the ground floor hall, or the Sala Terrana, which is supported by a lavishly stuccoed vaulted roof. The Sala Terrena functions both as the garden hall and entryway because it opens onto the Upper Belvedere's garden side and links to the grand staircase. The Sala Terrena was initially intended to be a uniformly large hall, but the placement of the four pillars was required due to structural damage sustained during the winter of 1732–1733.
The Carlone Hall
The Carlone Hall, also known as the Painted Hall, was named for its builder, the northern Italian fresco maestro and artist Carlo Innocenzo Carlone. He created the stunning ceiling fresco that shows the Triumphs of Aurora around 1722–1723. The room's furnishings are still in place, and the hall was originally used as a place to relax and socialise on warm summer days.
Permanent Collection
The permanent exhibition links Austrian art to that of contemporary international artists. The works of Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin are showcased in the collection. You will also come across the creations of well-known painters from Central Europe's interwar era, like Marie-Louise von Motesicky, Frantisek Kupka, and László Moholy-Nagy. The collection also exhibits Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss”, one of the world’s famous paintings.
Book Tickets To Belvedere Palace Vienna
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Belvedere Palace Vienna
A. Upper Belvedere Palace is a part of the Belvedere Palace Complex. It houses paintings from famous artists of the medieval period and the bygone era.
A. Yes. You need to buy Belvedere Palace tickets to visit the place.
A. Yes. The Belvedere Palace tickets can be purchased online.
A. Entry to the Belvedere Palace is free for children and youth under 19.
A. The Upper Belvedere Palace is located at the Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna.
A. The Upper Belvedere Palace is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Sunday.
A. The best time to explore the palace is just after the palace opens before the crowd gathers.
A. Masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present are housed in the palace. In addition, the Upper Belvedere's Gustav Klimt exhibition is considered the largest of its kind in the world.
A. The Upper Belvedere Palace was constructed between 1717 and 1723.
A. The Upper Belvedere Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the complex and is famed for its permanent art collection.
A. The Upper Belvedere's splendour is in its permanent collection and architecture, which features Austrian art and art from all over the world.
A. The Belvedere palace presently includes 18,600 pieces spanning 900 years of artistic development.