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Schloss Belvedere photo by Alfred Pertl –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Schloss Belvedere

Because of Schloss Belvedere, the Belvedere region is a popular tourist destination in Vienna. Schloss Belvedere is a masterpiece of the entire art and one of the world’s best baroque palaces, as much a work of art as the spectacular works held within its interior.

This magnificent Complex, located in Vienna, Austria, is one of the city’s key tourist attractions. This magnificent sight, which consists of two Baroque palaces, is undoubtedly one of Vienna’s most visited tourist destinations and an important historic landmark. Tourists visiting Austria always remember to add it to their things to do because it is clearly a sight to behold.

The whole complex is one of the most spectacular Baroque architectural ensembles in the world, with its two palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, and its enormous gardens.

The complex consists of two Baroque palaces, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Schloss Belvedere.

1. It was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy

Portrait of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736) at young age photo by Godfrey Kneller –

The Baroque palace complex was built as Prince Eugene of Savoy’s summer residence. On November 30, 1697, one year after starting work on the Stadtpalais, Prince Eugene purchased a large tract of land south of the Rennweg, the main road to Hungary.

The Belvedere garden complex was designed right away. To purchase the property, Prince Eugene was compelled to take out a large loan secured against his still-under-construction Stadtpalais. He purchased additional surrounding plots of land in 1708, 1716, and 1717-18 to allow him to gradually expand the garden.

The buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district of the city, on the southeastern edge of its centre. The grounds are set on a gentle gradient and include decorative tiered fountains and cascades, Baroque sculptures, and majestic wrought iron gates.

2. Schloss Belvedere was designed and built by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt

Vienna – View NW – Upper Belvedere 1723 Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt photo by Txllxt TxllxT –

The prince chose Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt as the project’s chief architect over Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the designer of his Stadtpalais. Hildebrandt, whom the general had met during a military battle in Piedmont, had already constructed Ráckeve Palace for him on Csepel, a Danube island south of Budapest, in 1702.

He eventually went on to construct countless other structures in his service. The architect had studied civil engineering under Carlo Fontana in Rome and had served in the imperial service from 1695-96 to learn how to build fortifications. Records reveal that he worked as a court architect in Vienna beginning in 1696.

Other notable works by Hildebrandt include the Schloss Hof Palace, which was also commissioned by Prince Eugene, the Schwarzenberg Palace (previously known as the Mansfeld-Fondi Palace), the Kinsky Palace, and the entire Göttweig Monastery estate in the Wachau Valley.

3. Its construction was inspired by the Chateau of Â鶹APP

Château de Â鶹APP (Yvelines, France) photo by Gzen92 –

The Chateau of Â鶹APP served as the inspiration for both the palace complex’s gardens and its overall design. It is possible to view the ornate Garden and the French Architect, but the Palace was also built using a distinctive Austrian architectural style.

Following his victory over the invading Turkish army, Prince Eugene had a summer home constructed on the Glacis slope along the Rennweg with the Château de Â鶹APP in France as his primary inspiration.

Building began in 1700, and architect Lucas von Hildebrandt worked on what would become his masterpiece for ten years. Lower Belvedere, where Prince Eugene resided, was completed in 1716.

4. Schloss Belvedere houses the Belvedere museum

It houses the Belvedere museum. The Belvedere in Vienna is one of the world’s most important museums. Its world-famous art collection spans the Middle Ages to the present day.

Three sites present Austrian art from a worldwide perspective. The world’s greatest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, as well as notable pieces from the Viennese Biedermeier, Austrian Baroque, Vienna circa 1900, and French Impressionism, are among the highlights.

The major tasks of the institution are to exhibit, research, collect, communicate, and preserve. Continuous improvements and digitalization in all areas assure Belvedere’s importance as a world-class museum of the future.

5. The large complex features two palaces (Upper and Lower)

Upper Belvedere in winter, Belvedere, Vienna, Austria. photo by Moahim –

This ensemble, which includes the Upper and Lower Belvedere as well as a large garden, is one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque structures. While the Upper Belvedere was all about representation, the Lower Belvedere served as Prince Eugene’s residence.

The Groteskensaal, Marble Gallery, and Golden Room all show the owner’s extravagant splendour. Special exhibitions are staged in the Orangery and the Lower Belvedere. Medieval paintings can now be admired in the sables where the prince’s horses previously stood.

The Belvedere Gardens are a hallmark of Baroque landscape architecture. In front of the location, a reflecting pool was made in which the building’s façade is reflected. The Upper and Lower Belvederes are linked by huge terraces with ponds.

6. Its Alpine garden is the oldest in Europe

The Belvedere park located in the palace is home to the oldest Alpine garden in Europe and houses the Austrian Federal Gardens’ valuable historical Alpine plant collection.

Established in 1803 by Archdukes Johann, Rainer, and Anton at Schönbrunn Palace park, it was transferred to the gardens of the Belvedere in 1865.

7. Schloss Belvedere holds the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings

The Kiss – Gustav Klimt photo by Google Art Project –

One of Austria’s finest art collections, and probably the best in all of Europe, is housed at the Upper Belvedere Palace. Prince Eugene was a well-known patron of the arts who specialized in Italian, Dutch, and Flemish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Visitors may see artwork from the Middle Ages and the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including “The Kiss” and “Judith,” on their tour of the Upper Palace.

Along with those artists, visitors will also find pieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Amerling, Fendi, Rottmayr, and Troger, as well as grimacing skulls of Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, an Austrian-German sculptor.

8. Schloss Belvedere suffered considerable damage during World War II

During WWII, the palaces sustained extensive damage. Bombs wrecked parts of the Marble Hall in the Upper Belvedere and the Hall of Grotesques in the Lower Belvedere.

The Österreichische Galerie reopened in the upper palace on February 4, 1953, when renovation work was completed. On December 5, 1953, the Baroque Museum opened in the lower palace, and the Museum mittelalterlicher österreichischer Kunst (“Museum of Medieval Austrian Art”) opened in Orangery.

9. Its Orangery was built for the Orange trees of the Palace compound

Its Orangery was designed for the Palace compound’s orange trees. The best part was that the glass roof could be removed in the summer and reattached in the winter.

It is a tedious process, but it is far more efficient than planting trees all over again. The Orangery is now home to a medieval art and sculpture exhibition.

10. Schloss Belvedere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Schloss Belvedere including the palace park with buildings photo by Tudoi61 –

One of the most popular sights in Vienna is the Belvedere Palace. This ensemble, which consists of the Upper and Lower Belvedere and a sizable garden, is one of Europe’s most magnificent Baroque landmarks and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Due to its impressive architectural ensemble and well-landscaped gardens, it is a significant UNESCO site alongside the Mirabell palace.