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 muse 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 was completely redesigned at the beginning of 2023: "Picture this! The Belvedere Collection from Cranach to EXPORT" extends throughout the entire palace in the wonderful Baroque ambience, and shows the highlights of the collection together with new additions and works from the holdings. On show is Austrian art in the context of the creative work of international artists of their time. It includes Austrian highlights from the Middle Ages and Baroque, while the icons of Vienna Modernism meet greats like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Auguste Rodin. Around 400 works recount 800 years of art history. The show collection also looks in depth at the interactions between art and society.

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Lower Belvedere and Baroque garden

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.

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Please note: If visiting the Upper Belvedere, you must make a free reservation for a time slot for group travelers (from 10 people). 

Monday to Sunday, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Email: booking@belvedere.at
Telephone: +43 1 795 57-333

A Klimt Walk through Vienna