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Vienna : The Belvedere

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The Belvedere

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  • Prince Eugen of Savoy, the most celebrated of the Habsburg generals due to his defeat of the Turks in 1683, commissioned the two Belvedere Palaces (Upper and Lower) with the money he received as a reward for his victories during the Spanish Succession. The payment allowed him to carry out one of the most ambitious building projects ever undertaken by a private individual. The palaces were built by Lukas von Hildebrandt in 1714–23 as a summer residence for the prince and are a shining example of Baroque style.

Top 10 Features
  • 1. Orangery

    The Orangery houses the Museum of Austrian Medieval Art and contains Gothic and Renaissance masterpieces, including the Stummerberg Crucifix, the oldest surviving example of Tyrolean woodcarving.

  • Lower Belvedere 2. Lower Belvedere
    2. Lower Belvedere

    The Museum of Austrian Baroque Art is housed in the rooms of the Lower Belvedere, formerly used by Prince Eugen as his living quarters.

  • 3. Marble Gallery

    This grandiose room contains works by Georg Raphael Donner and the original lead figures of the Providentia Fountain, now on Hoher Markt.

  • 4. Mirror Cabinet

    A statue of Prince Eugen of Savoy stands in this Lower Belvedere room. The walls are entirely covered by huge gilt-framed mirrors.

  • 5. French Gardens

    The French-style gardens link the palaces. The three levels each convey classical allusions: the lower part represents the Four Elements, the centre, Parnassus and the upper section, Olympus.

  • 6. Garden Statues

    Among the numerous statues, the Eight Muses and the Sphinxes are the most outstanding.

  • 7. Sala Terrena

    Its manifold architectural forms and sculptures make this Upper Belvedere hall one of the finest Baroque entrances. Four Herculean figures sculpted by Lorenzo Mattielli support the ceiling vault.

  • 8. Stairways

    In the centre of the magnificent Upper Belvedere entrance hall are the Baroque stairways, which lead to the ceremonial room.

  • 9. Marble Hall

    The central room of the Upper Belvedere was used for receptions and state occasions. The Austrian State Treaty was signed here in 1955.

  • Upper Belvedere Façade 10. Upper Belvedere Façade
    10. Upper Belvedere Façade

    The Upper Belvedere’s elaborate façade dominates the sweeping entrance. Its domed copper roofs resemble the shape of Turkish tents as a symbolic reflection of Prince Eugen’s victory.

Practical Information
For hearty Austrian food as well as specially brewed beer, try Salm Bräu, on Rennweg, next to the Belvedere Palace (see p120) Upper Belvedere: Prinz Eugen-Strasse 27 Lower Belvedere: Rennweg 6a 01 79 55 70 www.belvedere.at Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun Dis. access Adm €7.50
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