The 'Kiss' was acquired by the Austrian state in 1908 immediately upon its completion, before it had even been exhibited.
The Upper Belvedere's Marble Hall was the site of the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955, which restored Austria's sovereignty.
Prince Eugene of Savoy commissioned the Lower Belvedere first, followed by the larger Upper Belvedere to serve as a grand venue for his art collection.
The museum's collection spans 800 years of art history, including significant medieval altar paintings.
The gardens are designed according to the 'theology of nature' principle, symbolizing the progression from the underworld through the Purgatory to the abode of the gods.
The Austrian Gallery Belvedere houses the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including his iconic gold-leaf masterpiece, The Kiss. The institution is split across two primary historic palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, separated by an expansive Baroque garden. The Upper Belvedere focuses on Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day, while the Lower Belvedere and the Orangery are typically dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The building complex itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, commissioned by Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century as his summer residence. Beyond Klimt, the museum holds significant works by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and French Impressionists like Claude Monet. The architecture features ornate ceremonial rooms, including the Marble Hall and the Hall of Mirrors. The site serves as a research institution, continuously documenting the provenance and history of its Austrian art holdings.
The central path of the terraced gardens looking up toward the facade of the Upper Belvedere.
Book your entry time slot online in advance to bypass long queues at the Upper Belvedere ticket office.
Purchase a combined ticket to see both the Upper and Lower palaces if you have at least half a day available.
Use the official museum app for a self-guided digital tour instead of waiting for group sessions.
Attempting to see both the Upper and Lower Belvedere in under two hours, as the distance between the buildings and the size of the galleries require significant walking time.
Large backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom; flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the galleries.
