Belvedere Palace, Vienna
The Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria is a historic Baroque palace complex and art museum that includes two palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, and several other buildings and gardens. The Belvedere was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the 18th century. After his death, Empress Maria Theresa acquired the complex and turned the Upper Belvedere into one of the world’s first public museums. The palace is considered one of the most stunning Baroque ensembles in the world. The complex includes landscaped gardens with fountains, hedges, and flower beds. The Belvedere houses one of Austria’s most valuable art collections, including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and others. The Upper Belvedere houses the permanent collection, while the Lower Belvedere and Orangery host temporary exhibitions. The Belvedere was significantly damaged by bombings during World War II, but was renovated after the war. The palace is located in the third district of Vienna, on the southeastern edge of the city center.
