Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), successful general and art connoisseur, had Belvedere garden palace built by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt as his summer residence – at the time it was still outside the gates of the city.
This baroque architectural jewel consists of two palaces (Upper and Lower Belvedere), which today house Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Upper Belvedere – World’s biggest Klimt collection and “The Kiss”
The heart of the Belvedere collection is formed by the 24 paintings of Gustav Klimt with his golden images “The Kiss” and “Judith”. Klimt’s “The Kiss” in particular is world-famous. The 180 x 180 cm painting was created in 1908/09 and shows Klimt and his friend Emilie Flöge as a couple in love. “The Kiss” is probably Austria’s most famous work of art. Klimt’s portraits of women also impress and be marveled at in the Upper Belvedere.
The permanent exhibition at the Upper Belvedere was completely redesigned at the beginning of 2018: a total of 420 works can be seen in seven themed rooms spread over three floors. Thematically, the tour starts with the history of the Belvedere. In the other rooms, works of art from the Middle Ages, Baroque, Classicism and Biedermeier periods are shown. A separate, large area on the first floor is naturally dedicated to Vienna Modernism and the art of 1900, where Klimt’s “Kiss” has found its new home. Finally, the art of the inter-war and post-war periods is shown on the second floor.
Lower Belvedere and Baroque garden
Closed until further notice due to construction work.
While the Upper Belvedere was all about representation, the Lower Belvedere acted as the residential palace of Prince Eugene. The lavish splendor of the owner is reflected in the Groteskensaal (Hall of the Grotesque), the Marble Gallery and the Golden Room. Special exhibitions are held in the Lower Belvedere and the Orangery. Nowadays, medieval art can be marveled at in the sables where the prince’s horses once stood.
The gardens of the Belvedere are a highlight of Baroque landscape architecture. A reflecting pool was created in front of the place, in which the building’s façade is reflected. The large terraces with ponds connect the Upper to the Lower Belvedere. The Kammergarten was originally reserved only for the man of the house and his closest associates. The Alpine Garden in the palace park is the oldest in Europe.
Please note: Groups of 10 or more people, you must make an appointment for a tour with the Upper Belvedere in advance. There is no charge for this. You can contact the reservation team at the Belvedere by email or telephone.
Monday to Sunday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/museums-exhibitions/top/belvedere-341062