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Belvedere Palace History: A Journey Through Baroque Grandeur
Belvedere Palace Timeline
Construction Of Belvedere Palace
In 1712, Prince Eugene of Savoy, from the Habsburg dynasty, commissioned architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt to build a summer residence in Vienna. Hildebrandt, a student of Italian architect Carlo Fontana, designed the palace in Baroque style. Construction started in 1714 and was completed in 1723.
The Upper Belvedere construction began in 1717. Italian painter Francesco Solimena was hired to paint frescoes in the Golden Room and create an altarpiece for the Palace Chapel. From 1721 to 1723, Carlo Carlone added frescoes to the ceilings of the Marble Hall, enhancing the palace’s opulence and contributing to the Belvedere Palace history.
The Palace complex includes the Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, and beautiful gardens. The Upper Belvedere now showcases renowned artworks, including Klimt’s “The Kiss,” while the Lower Belvedere is home to an impressive collection of Austrian and international art.
History of Belvedere Palace
Prince Eugene of the Habsburg dynasty ordered the construction of the Belvedere Palace in the year 1712. The job was assigned to the architect Johann Lukas von Hilderbrandt, who was a student of the renowned Italian architect, Carlo Fontana. Johann chose the heart of the city to build the palace as it was going to be the summer residence of the prince. Baroque-style architecture was extremely popular during that era, which is why, following the trend, the Belvedere Palace was also constructed using the same architectural designs. Johann first constructed the Lower Belvedere and then added lavish gardens to it, finally completing the palace by 1717.
Do Checkout: Belvedere 21 Museum
The construction of the Belvedere Palace started right after the construction of the Lower Belvedere, in 1717. To enhance the appearance of the palace, Prince Eugene hired a famous Italian painter, Francesco Solimena, to create an altarpiece for the Chapel and frescoes for the ceiling of the Golden Room. In the year 1721, the prince recruited another Italian painter and engraver, Carlo Carlone to paint frescoes for the Marble Hall. After all the decorations, paintings and intricate details, the Upper Belvedere was finally completed in the year 1923.
At the age of 72 years, Prince Eugene unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on 21st April 1736. Since it was a sudden death, there was no kind of will regarding his belongings and properties. To solve this, Roman Emperor Charles IV called for a commission in which it was decided that all the possessions of Prince Eugene would be given to his niece, Princess Victoria. In 1744, Princess Victoria got divorced after which she left Vienna along with all her possessions and moved to Turin. Yet again, there was no one to take care of the Belvedere Palace so Maria Theresa, daughter of Charles IV, bought the palace under her name.
Also Read: Facts About Belvedere Palace
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In the history of Belvedere Palace Maria Theresa was the only woman to rule the palace. Even though the palace belonged to Maria, she did not move to the palace, making the royal structure purposeless. In order to sustain the importance of the palace, Maria started hosting important events such as weddings and masquerade balls. She even ordered the transformation of the Lower Belvedere into a gallery to honour the members of the Habsburg dynasty. This is how the Royal Summer Palace turned into one of the most famous art museums in the world.
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During the French Revolution, the kingdom suffered a huge crisis when the royal family started fleeing to Vienna to save themselves. At that time, the picture gallery in the Lower Belvedere was replaced by a refuge centre, while the entire gallery was being shifted to the Upper Belvedere. In these severe situations, Empress Maria thought of reminding the localities of her family’s history by opening the Imperial Picture Gallery for the general public. Finally, after all the discussions, the gallery opened for the first time to the public in the year 1781, however, it did not last long as a majority of the pieces were shifted to Serbia.
After the precious collection of the Imperial Picture Gallery was shifted to Serbia, the gallery was shut down. Later, Emperor Franz Joseph I passed down the Belvedere Palace to his heir, Franz Ferdinand who was his nephew. The new heir, Franz Ferdinand made quite a few changes to the palace, the most important being the re-opening of the gallery in the year 1903. It was named the Modern Gallery which displayed the finest works of Austrian artists dedicated to the era of Modernism.
Architecture Of Belvedere Palace
The magnificent Belvedere Palace showcases Baroque architecture designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. It includes two main buildings, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, connected by a grand garden featuring sculptures, fountains, and lawns. The design highlights the Baroque era’s emphasis on elaborate decoration and symmetry reflecting the rich Belvedere Palace history.
The Upper Belvedere stands out with its central pavilion and symmetrical wings. Its façade boasts sculpted figures, ornate columns, and railings. Inside, the halls are adorned with frescoes and stucco work reflecting the opulence of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The Lower Belvedere, once a guesthouse and orangery overlooks a formal garden, linking the palace to its surroundings. The gardens feature sculptures like Hercules fighting the Nemean Lion and the Fountain of the Tritons, with approximately 12 ornamental fountains. The palace complex houses Austrian art, including Klimt’s "The Kiss", boasting the artistic legacy and history of Belvedere Palace.
FAQ's
What are some of the interesting facts about the Belvedere Palace's history?
The Belvedere Palace was constructed as a summer palace for Prince Eugene of the Habsburg dynasty. A popular fact is that the palace is renowned for having the best and the finest art collection in all of Austria. Another interesting fact about the Belvedere Palace’s history is that it almost got destroyed during World War II, majorly affecting the Marble Hall and the Lower Belvedere. However, right after the war ended, renovations were made to the palace, making its appearance more stunning than ever.
When was Belvedere Palace built?
The construction of the Belvedere Palace started in the year 1712 with its first structure, the Lower Belvedere along with the gardens. It took almost 6 years to build the Lower Belvedere and the gardens, soon after which the construction for the Upper Belvedere started in the year 1717. The palace was finally completed with all its structures, paintings, frescoes, gardens and detailed work in 1923.
How old is Belvedere Palace Vienna?
The construction of the Belvedere Palace started between 1712 and 1717, making the palace around two centuries old. It is one of the most visited and prominent landmarks of Vienna, attracting almost 1.5 million tourists every year.
Who were the architects of Belvedere Palace?
Prince Eugene assigned the job of constructing his dream summer palace to the architect, Johann Lukas von Hilderbrandt. He was a student of the renowned Italian architect, Carlo Fontana. Some of his most notable works include the Belvedere Palace, Schönborn Castle, the Mirabell Palace and the Episcopal Residence.
Who commissioned the construction of Belvedere Palace?
Prince Eugene of the Habsburg dynasty commissioned the construction of the Belvedere Palace to Johann Lukas von Hilderbrandt, an Italian architect. The construction of the palace started with the Lower Belvedere in the year 1712 which was finally completed in 1717.
Why is Belvedere Palace Vienna famous?
Belvedere Palace in Vienna is renowned for its Baroque architecture, along with a grand staircase and frescoed marble hall. It houses masterpieces like Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss," and Jacques-Louis David's "Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass." According to Belvedere Palaces’ history, it's notable for hosting the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955.
Who designed Belvedere Palace Vienna?
Belvedere Palace is designed by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, a genius who made it an example of Baroque architecture with ornate facades, grand staircases, and detailed plasterwork. The designer also created the Karlskirche and the Palais Schwarzenberg. The gardens of Belvedere feature tiered layouts and statues of Apollo and Hercules.
What is the architectural style of Belvedere Palace Vienna?
The Baroque style of the Belvedere Palace is evident through the grand staircase with detailed stucco and gold and the Imperial Rooms with their ornate ceilings and chandeliers. This opulence reflects the history of Belvedere Palace and the Baroque era’s focus on grandeur and luxury, aiming to impress and showcase the power of the elite.
What is the history of the Belvedere gardens?
The Belvedere gardens feature symmetrical layouts, tiered terraces, and rare flowers such as tulips and peonies. The gardens reflect years of rich history of Belvedere Palace. Special spots here include the "Great Parterre" and "Water Parterre." The Belvedere gardens host the annual Tulip Festival and Dahlia Exhibition, celebrating seasonal blooms here.
Where is Belvedere Palace located?
Belvedere Palace, located in Vienna’s 3rd district, is near Vienna State Opera and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The palace's location in the city center places it within walking distance between Belvedere Park and Vienna Secession building. It overlooks gardens like "Great Parterre" and "Water Parterre," offering views of the Danube River and the Vienna Woods too.