Sphinx in the Belvedere Garden - Vienna, Austria
Posted by: 
BakaGaijin
N 48° 11.601 E 016° 22.875
33U E 602648 N 5338712
One of the twelve Rococo sphinxes in the Belvedere gardens in the 3rd district of Vienna.
Waymark Code: WM7NVM
Location: Wien, Austria
Date Posted: 11/15/2009
Views: 40
The Belvedere was built between 1714 and 1722 by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Much later it became the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assasination in 1914 precipitated World War I.
Situated on a gently sloping hill, the Belvedere consists of two palaces linked by a formal garden laid out in the French style by Dominique Girard. The garden is sited on three levels, each conveying a complicated programme of Classical allusions: the lower part of the garden represents the domain of the four elements, the centre is Parnassus and the upper section is Olympus.
The imposing sphinxes, each of them about 3 m long and 2 m high, are located at the side in the two upper sections. With their lion bodies and human heads they represent strength and intelligence.
Visit Instructions:Post a picture of your GPS (time stamp), and maybe another of the statue.
Please update any changes in the status of the statue or it's surroundings.