Upper Belvedere Originally the Upper Belvedere was planned as a gloriette “with a beautiful view over the city.” However, this palace, constructed between the years 1717 and 1723, replaced the initial idea. In Prince Eugene’s day, the Upper Belvedere primarily served the purpose of pomp and display. Later, from the second half of the 1770s, it housed the Imperial Picture Gallery. Paintings were transferred from the Stallburg from 1776 onward, and the displays in the Upper Belvedere were then opened to the public.