If you are looking for a cultural experience in Austria, you should not miss the Belvedere Museum in Vienna. The Belvedere is a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases 700 years of art history at three locations: the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere, and the Belvedere 21. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about visiting this historic building complex and its amazing collections.
The Belvedere was built in the 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, one of the most successful military commanders in European history. The complex consists of two Baroque palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, which are connected by a magnificent garden. The Orangery and the Palace Stables are also part of the ensemble.
The Upper Belvedere is the most impressive palace, with its richly decorated façade and its dome. It houses the largest collection of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day, including masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl. The highlight of the collection is Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss”, which you can admire in the Marble Hall.
The Lower Belvedere was the living quarters of Prince Eugene and it features his original rooms and furniture. It also hosts temporary exhibitions spanning different periods and genres of art history. Currently, you can see “Into The Night – Cabarets and Clubs in Modern Art”, a show that explores the role of nightlife venues as spaces for artistic expression and social critique.
The Belvedere 21 is a modern building that was designed by Karl Schwanzer for the 1958 World Expo. It is dedicated to contemporary art, film, and music, as well as a vibrant urban hub. It showcases works by Austrian and international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Maria Lassnig, VALIE EXPORT, Erwin Wurm, and Ai Weiwei.
To visit the Belvedere Museum, you need to buy a time slot ticket online for each venue. You can choose between different ticket options depending on how many locations you want to see. The prices range from €9.30 to €26.10 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, children, and visitors with a valid Vienna City Card or a Disability Card. You can also buy an annual ticket for €44 that gives you unlimited access to all three venues.
The Belvedere Museum is located in the third district of Vienna, on the south-eastern edge of its centre. You can easily get there by public transport using the tram lines D (stop Schloss Belvedere), 18 or O (stop Quartier Belvedere), or the S-Bahn (stop Quartier Belvedere). Alternatively, you can take a taxi or use a bike-sharing service.
The Belvedere Museum is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm (Upper Belvedere), 10 am to 6 pm (Lower Belvedere), or 11 am to 6 pm (Belvedere 21). On Thursdays, the Belvedere 21 stays open until 9 pm. The gardens are also open to the public and they offer a beautiful view of Vienna’s skyline.
We hope this blog post has inspired you to visit the Belvedere Museum in Vienna and discover its amazing art collections and architecture. If you want to learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can join one of their digital tours on their social media channels or website. You can also browse their online collection and enjoy some of their artworks in augmented reality.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here are some reviews from visitors who have been to the Belvedere Museum:
“I loved the Upper Belvedere. The paintings are stunning and the palace is beautiful. The Kiss is worth seeing in person.” – Anna from Germany
“The Lower Belvedere had a very interesting exhibition about cabarets and clubs in modern art. I learned a lot about how artists used these spaces to experiment and challenge social norms.” – David from France
“The Belvedere 21 is a great place to see contemporary art in Vienna. The building itself is very impressive and the exhibitions are always changing.” – Maria from Italy
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