Belvedere Palace is a Baroque landmark in Vienna made up of two palaces facing each other across formal gardens. Built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the celebrated Habsburg military commander, the complex was designed by architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt to match its owner's considerable status.
The Upper Belvedere is both an architectural showpiece and one of Austria's major art museums. Its collection includes Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, alongside works by Egon Schiele and other Austrian artists. The Lower Belvedere, once Prince Eugene's residential palace, hosts changing exhibitions in rooms that still convey the richness of courtly life.
The gardens are worth exploring in their own right, with terraces, fountains and views towards Vienna's skyline. Book Upper Belvedere tickets ahead if seeing The Kiss is a priority, and check opening times for the palaces and gardens before visiting. Allow time to walk between the two buildings: the gardens slope uphill towards the Upper Belvedere.