★★★★★ 5.0
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Austrian Gallery Belvedere
This palace nearly vanished in World War II—bombed to rubble—yet today holds 18,600 masterpieces. Prince Eugene of Savoy commissioned it in 1712 on old vineyards outside Vienna. The architectural secret most miss? The Upper Belvedere wasn't meant to be a palace—it was designed as just a gloriette, a fancy viewing pavilion. Empress Maria Theresa transformed it into an art gallery in the 1770s, making it one of Earth's first public museums. The intricate Baroque plasterwork was hand-painted by Italian master Francesco Solimena. Standing on Prinz-Eugen-Straße in the third district, you're looking at architecture that survived bombs to become legend. Inside waits Klimt's "The Kiss" and nine centuries of Austrian art.
Did You Know?
- : The Belvedere Palace was the site where the Austrian State Treaty was signed in 1955, officially ending the post-World War II occupation and restoring Austria’s sovereignty and neutrality—a historic moment that took place in the Marble Hall of the Upper Belvedere.
- The Belvedere houses the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including his iconic masterpiece 'The Kiss' and 23 other works, making it a must-visit for fans of Viennese Art Nouveau and modern art.
- Originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the palace’s name 'Belvedere'—meaning 'beautiful view'—was given by Empress Maria Theresa, who recognized its stunning panoramic vistas over Vienna, a feature that remains a highlight for visitors today.