Witness Art And Beauty Of The Belvedere Complex, Vienna

The Upper Belvedere, as seen from the south

The Belvedere complex was created in the 18th century, south of the city walls; the grounds were purchased by Eugene de Savoy, the “Scourge of the Turks”, a distinguished military leader who defended Vienna during the 1683 siege and permanently ousted the Turks from this part of Europe. He was also a great fan of art, commissioning famous architects and artists to create and embellish his summer residence. As a reminiscence of his military life, the roofs of the Upper Belvedere symbolize the Turkish army camp tents.

Although constructed after the Lower Belvedere, the name of the complex is related to the Upper Belvedere, meaning “the beautiful view”. Truly, as seen from the base of the palace, and especially from its upper floors, the stunning views stretch along the magnificent Baroque garden between the palaces, enveloping the city behind.

Masterpieces of the Upper Belvedere

The Upper Belvedere was erected in a rush, due to Eugene’s impatience to see it completed, despite the main architect’s unwillingness to assume such an approach. Look out for the Sala Terrena as you enter the palace. This is where four pillars of Atlases support the vault and it is one of the ingenious remedies used to fix the rotten ceiling that threatened to collapse a few decades after the completion of the palace.

Works of art of the Upper Belvedere

As you approach the first floor where the extensive collection of the Austrian Gallery of 19th and 20th Century Art is showcased, you shall notice beautiful sculptures, stylish lanterns, chandeliers and stucco details along the staircase, walls and ceilings.

The central salon named Marmorsaal (meaning “the Marble Room”), which you can enter from the monumental staircase, occupies two stories and is the most magnificent room in the Upper Belvedere (the homonymous room can be found also in the Lower Belvedere). Richly decorated with paintings, stucco works, and diverse architectural details such as Corinthian columns, medallions and such, it pays homage to Eugene de Savoy and his achievements. In this room, the Austrian State Treaty, which inaugurated Austria as an independent state, was signed in 1955.

The Marmorsaal of the Upper Belvedere

Both upper floors house significant art collections, prevalently belonging to Secession and Biedermeier artists. Rudolf and Jacob von Alt, Friedrich von Amerling and Moritz Michael Daffinger are a few of the most distinguished artists of the Austrian Secession. The largest section, however, is dedicated to the works of Gustav Klimt, the founder of the Viennese Secession, which houses his largest collection of paintings in the world.

Some of his most famous paintings, such as The Kiss, Judith and Portrait of Sonja Knips, are showcased here. As for the sculptures, the most interesting ones are the caricature heads, completed by Franz Xavier Messerschmidt.

The Lower Belvedere exhibits significant baroque examples of the 17th and 18th works in the Austrian Baroque Museum. Besides the garden on the southern side of the property, featuring a grand basin, the Baroque garden linking both palaces is exceptional due to exquisite geometric patterns. Various fountains, sculptures depicting mythological creatures, well-manicured lawns, trees and other greenery are dotted throughout the garden.