• Fall & Winter 2024
    Panorama of the upper parterres of the Baroque gardens from Upper Belvedere toward Lower Belvedere.
    A number of water features are part of the Baroque gardens — Belvedere Palace.The pathways of the grounds are lined with statues on decorative pedestals — Belvedere Palace.Looking back towards the Lower Cascade Pool and Upper Belvedere (facade being restored) — Vienna.Lower Cascade Fountain ... Belvedere Palace — Vienna, Austria.Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.The Hall of the Grotesques ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.Ceiling of the Hall of the Grotesques ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.Detail from the Hall of the Grotesques ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.Marble Gallery ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.Marble Gallery ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.The Stables ... Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.Lower Belvedere from the Privy Garden — Vienna, Austria.Lower Belvedere from the Privy Garden — Vienna, Austria.Orangery from the Privy Garden @ Lower Belvedere — Vienna, Austria.

    Vienna: Lower Belvedere & Grounds

    October 13, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Completing our visit to Upper Belvedere, we headed down to Lower Belvedere next.

    The stroll through the Baroque gardens between the two palaces was a pleasant one … the rain that began to fall as we walked notwithstanding. The manicured grounds must be amazing when the flowers are in bloom in the spring and summer.

    Upper Belvedere was built to impress. Lower Belvedere, on the other hand, was constructed as the residential palace. That’s not to say that there aren’t any lavish spaces here. There are … the Hall of the Grotesques and the Marble Gallery chief amongst them. I understand there is a Gold Cabinet as well, but it wasn’t open today.

    Lower Belvedere is used for special exhibitions … the stables are home to a selection of ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages.

    I had read that it was sufficient to just purchase admission to Upper Belvedere and skip the rest … that the art on display at Lower Belvedere paled in comparison. May well be the case, but the Hall of the Grotesques and the Marble Gallery were certainly worth the difference in price for the combo ticket IMHO.

    This footprint focuses on the grounds and the architectural details of Lower Belvedere.    Read more