Castle BelvedereIn the Belvedere-park
View to upper castle, in the foreground a sphinx-statue
The complex consist of the upper and the lower Belvedere-castle,
between there is the Belvedere-park. This complex was constructed 1700-1723 by Lukas von Hildebrandt as summer-castle for the commander-in-chief Prinz Eugen von Savoyen and was his most important building. The downhill castle was constructed by Giovanni Stanetti. Today there is the museum of medieval Austrian arts, and Austrian Baroquemuseum. The Grotesken-room has wallpaintings by Jonas Drentwett, the marble-gallery stucco-decorations and figures by Domenico Parodi. The inner marble-room with ceiling-paintings by Giacomo del Po from 1720 and the Donnersaal (thunderroom) have ceilingfrescos by Martin Altomonte and a virtual architecture by Gaetano Fanti
(1716).
The garden with watergames, iron doors and figures
was planned and constructed by Dominique Girard, the gardening works are by
Anton Zinner, 1725.
The upper castle was samtuous furnished 1725 by
Claudel le Fort du Piessy, the stucco is from Santino Bussi, 1722-1723. Sala
Terrena, stairway and gardenroom (Gartensaal) have ceilingpaintings by Carlo
Carlone and architectural paintings by Gaetano Fanti. In cornerpavillon in the chappell is a cuppolafresco by Carlo Carlone from 1723, the mainaltar has a picture by Francesco Solimena. In Kustodentrakt at the castle's eastside 1896 Anton Bruckner (Austrian composer from Linz) died. In the upper Belvedere there is the Austrian Gallery of 19. and 20.Century.
At the upper Belvedere there is a alps-garden with plants from the mountains alps. The garden, which was founded in 1865 is opened from March 25 to August 6 from 10am to 6pm. Best time to visit is in April and May.
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