The Belvedere is a monumental testament to the humanist vision of Ferdinand I, who served as the Arc

The Belvedere is a monumental testament to the humanist vision of Ferdinand I, who served as the Archduke of Austria, King of Bohemia and Hungary, and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire beginning in 1558. Masterfully designed and decorated by Paolo della Stella and Bonifaz Wolmut, its construction commenced in 1537 and spanned several decades, concluding with Ferdinand's death in 1564. At that time, it was referred to as a "Lusthaus," serving as a unique palatial garden building that celebrated the transfer of the imperial title to the Austrian Habsburgs. As one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in the transalpine region, the Belvedere showcases numerous references to the splendour of ancient Rome.