Schloss Belvedere

Beside Schloss Schünbrunn, the Belvedere is one of the most important buildings after the second world war. In the building the allied forces sight the state treaty which gave Austria the sovereignty back. Now the Belevedere is used as a museum and shows paintings of famouse artists like Klimt and Egon Schilde. Klimt's paintings "The Kiss" and "Judith" are worldwide known.

Text taken from the Belvedere Webpage:

Schloss Belvedere consits of two parts, the uppoer and lower Belvedere. In 1717, the decision was made to build the Upper Belvedere. Construction took place between 1721 and 1722 and the interior decoration was completed the following year. The garden palace primarily served the purpose of pomp and display. This is reflected in the elegant sala terrena (today the entrance hall), the grand staircase, the magnificent Marble Hall, rooms sumptuously embellished with stucco and frescos (frescos by Carlo Carlone [1686-1775], ceiling paintings by Giacomo del Pò) and the chapel with the exquisite altarpiece by Francesco Solimena (1657-1747).

The most important event in Austria’s post-war history was the ceremonial signing of the Austrian State Treaty on 15 May 1955 in the Marble Hall of the Upper Belvedere, restoring sovereignty to Austria. The Marble Hall is the central ceremonial room of the Upper Belvedere and is open to the public.

The Upper Belvedere houses the impressive collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. At the heart of the displays of “art around 1900” is the world’s largest Gustav Klimt collection. The glittering highlights are Klimt’s golden pictures "The Kiss" and "Judith", and masterpieces by Schiele and Kokoschka. Prominent works by the French Impressionists and the outstanding collection of Viennese Biedermeier paintings are further attractions at the Upper Belvedere.

Tickets:
Belvedere ticket
Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, Orangery, Palace Stables, Augarten Contemporary, Privy Garden
Standard ticket EUR 12.50
Senior citizens EUR 9.50
Students (up to age 27) EUR 8.50
Groups of 10 persons and over EUR 9.50

with Vienna Card EUR 10.50
Family ticket (2 adults and max. 3 children up to age 18) EUR 25

Single parent ticket (1 adult + children up to age 18) EUR 16
Teenagers (aged 11-18) EUR 5
Children up to age 5 free

Upper Belvedere
Standard ticket EUR 9.50
Senior citizens EUR 7.50
Students (up to age 27) EUR 6
Groups of 10 persons and over EUR 7.50

with Vienna Card EUR 8
Family ticket (2 adults and max. 3 children up to age 18) EUR 20

Single parent ticket (1 adult + children up to age 18) EUR 11
Teenagers (aged 11-18) EUR 3
Children up to age 5 free



Lower Belvedere
Palace, Orangery, Palace Stables, Privy Garden

Standard ticket EUR 9.50
Senior citizens EUR 7.50
Students (up to age 27) EUR 6.50
Groups of 10 persons and over EUR 8

with Vienna Card EUR 6
Family ticket (2 adults and max. 3 children up to age 18) EUR 20

Single parent ticket (1 adult + children up to age 18) EUR 11
Teenagers (aged 11-18) EUR 3
Children up to age 5 free

What i liked most of Schloss Belvedere were the buildings and gardens. Unfortunately the fountains were empty and the grass was frozen so it wasn't as beautiful as normally. I didn't went in the upper Belvedere, but only in the small Belvedere (on the city site). In this building was an exhibition of paintings of Van Gogh, Degas and other painters of the 19th century. So most of the collection were paintings in expressionism style. I suppose the collections change so maybe the exhibition is different now. Anyway, i didn't really liked it but the gardens and palace are worth the visit. Dress warm in winter because there's no heating in the building! Brrrrrrr!

Belvedere is the other, but smaller palace of Vienna. Absolutely go see this BEFORE Schönbrunn, otherwise you'd be disappointed (relatively). We didn't go inside, so I can't give you opinions about that.

The garden could use some more upkeep, as the bushes were growing out and the lake was getting out of water. That aren't reasons not to go there anymore of course :)
Belvedere is big and beautiful and you should absolutely go and see it during your stay in Vienna. It was a bit hard to find though, as it is somewhat out of center.