Wouldn’t you like to watch Kate Winslet building the gardens of Versailles while you sit in a Baroque privy garden? Of course you would. That’s the kind of experience you might get at Belvedere’s Kino im Kammergarten…
- Open-air cinema in the privy garden of Lower Belvedere Palace
- Many films are in English or with English subtitles
- Next dates: TBA (typically August if it repeats)
- See also:
Kino im Kammergarten
(Kino im Kammergarten 2018 “Spirit of 68”. Photo: Franzi Kreis, (c) Belvedere, Wien)
Open-air cinema is rather pleasant in the Vienna summer. And even better when that cinema occupies some historical space redolent with the scent of noble opulence and timeless elegance.
(Not sure opulence can have a scent, but you know what I mean.)
Typically in August, Belvedere opens up its privy gardens (Kammergarten) to the majesty of the movies: you get to relax in deckchairs, surrounded by landscaped lawns and plant beds, as the sun drops below Lower Belvedere palace and its Baroque Orangerie.
Each year has a different theme: the last one (pre-COVID) was “Grünblick”, which I translate as “a view of green”.
Many Kino im Kammergarten films are in English or with English subtitles, so non-locals can enjoy the experience, too. For example, I found at least seven English-language highlights from the previous full cinema season.
Dates and tickets
The Kammergarten usually has daily showings through much of August if it takes place, typically starting at 9pm unless the weather forces cancellation.
The cinema is free in principle, but, of course, you need a ticket* to get into Lower Belvedere. Places are limited, so it pays to get there early to bag a seat.
Incidentally, during a Kammergarten cinema season, any exhibitions in Lower Belvedere and at the Orangerie often stay open longer.
I don’t have the next dates yet, assuming the event does repeat. In 2020, for example, the showings moved to the Belvedere 21 modern art centre, which also had an outdoor summer cinema event in 2021 as well (Lower Belvedere was closed for renovations and improvements that summer).
How to get to the Kammergarten
You reach the Kammergarten open-air cinema via Lower Belvedere palace. Go through into the building and there’s access from the right-hand tract once you enter the palace proper.
To get to the palace, see these travel tips for Belvedere.
Address: Rennweg 6, 1030 Vienna