The Belvedere castles were built at the beginning of the 18th century by the famous baroque architect Johann Lucas of Hildebrandt as a summer residence for prince Eugene von Savoyen (1663-1736). The castle ensemble, consisting of the superior and the lower Belvedere and an extensive garden, counts to the nicest baroque buildings of Europe and belongs to the world cultural heritage of UNESCO.

Today the Belvedere accommodates the most important collection of Austrian art of the Middle Ages up to the present, supplemental by works of international artists like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh or Max Beckmann. Climaxes of the collection the turn of the century and Viennese Secession form the worldwide biggest Gustav Klimt-Gemäldesammlung, under it the known golden Jugendstil icons The kiss and Judith I, as well as work of Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Prominent works of the French impressionism as well as the most important collection of the Viennese Biedermeier period also belong to the highlights of the museum. The desegregation of all collection areas in the upper Belvedere was concluded in 2007 with the new installation of the collection baroque.

In the lower Belvedere and in the former orangery numerous high-carat special exhibitions are presented. The content main focus of the exhibition planning lies how already in 1903 by the foundation order of the Belvedere (at that time „modern gallery“) defines, on the presentation of Austrian art in the international context. Beside retrospectives of the home artists whose work and meaning are academically worked off big subject exhibitions light up essential art currents and art epochs. The treasure house Middle Ages offers new insights into the art of the Middle Ages. 

Further information under www.belvedere.at