Explore the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria, and embrace romantic art.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a world-renowned European city and a major cultural center, known as the "City of Music." It was once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and is filled with historical sites. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the many famous attractions, the Baroque Belvedere Palace stands out. It is not only a national treasure of Austria, but also an outstanding representative of European Baroque architecture and an important art museum. Belvedere, meaning "beautiful view" in Latin, truly lives up to its name with its collection of forests, palaces, and gardens. It was built in the early 18th century, not by an emperor, but by the distinguished military commander, Prince Eugene of Savoy. Prince Eugene was an outstanding military commander of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty. During the Great Turkish War, he repelled the Ottoman army three times in Central Europe and the Balkans. In the War of the Grand Alliance and the War of the Spanish Succession, he defeated the French army twice, driving them out of Italy. In 1718, he defeated the Ottoman Empire and captured Belgrade in the Balkans. At the age of 29, he was awarded the title of Field Marshal of the Empire. Although Prince Eugene was of Italian descent and culturally influenced by France, he spent his entire life in Austria, serving the Habsburg family and considering Austria his homeland. Prince Eugene was not only a brilliant military strategist, but also deeply interested in science and art. On the land granted to him by the emperor, he commissioned Austrian Baroque architects to design and build the Belvedere Palace, modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. The Belvedere Palace is divided into two parts, Upper and Lower, due to the terrain, and took 24 years to build. In 1716, the Lower Belvedere, where Prince Eugene resided, was completed. In 1724, the Upper Belvedere, used for receptions and banquets, was finished. Prince Eugene lived here, but due to his solitary nature, he remained unmarried and had no children. The Belvedere Palace, known as the "Little Versailles," is a grand and magnificent structure that served as Prince Eugene's summer residence. The gardens connecting the Upper and Lower Palaces are elegant and ornate, considered one of Europe's most prestigious French-style gardens. The lawns, flowerbeds, fountains, and sculptures are exquisitely designed and richly landscaped, rivaling royal gardens. At dusk, I traveled from Schönbrunn Palace to the Belvedere Palace. Strolling through the gardens, the scenery under the setting sun was serene and beautiful. The towering "vegetation maze," blooming flowers, ancient sculptures, and lively fountains created a refreshing and pleasant view. From the Upper Belvedere gardens, one can also enjoy a panoramic view of Vienna, where the green forest and elegant architecture complement each other beautifully. Today, the Belvedere Palace is also the Austrian National Gallery, housing a collection of great Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, as well as masterpieces by international masters such as Monet, Van Gogh, Klimt, and Schiele. My favorite is Klimt's symbolic masterpiece, "The Kiss." This gold-leaf painting is a landmark work in terms of technique. The intimately embracing lovers, their bodies intertwined, create a strong visual impact and a sense of modernity. It is an early 20th-century art classic and considered one of the most romantic oil paintings in the world.