VIENNA.- Who will be the artists to shape the future? Those who crack the code will uncover the secret. The Fantastic Palastics—six virtual creatures awakened from a deep slumber in the palace garden and prepared for the future through the Garden Game—are now conquering the Upper Belvedere. They will be leading children and families on an exciting mission through the Baroque palace. Armed with a game map, a pen, and a smartphone or tablet, the adventure is ready to begin!

General Director Stella Rollig and CFO Wolfgang Bergmann: In the second adventure of theFantastic Palastics, we bring art history to life in a playful way for families. This game combines digital and analog elements with challenging puzzles, offering young people a fun and interactive approach to art. During this multimedia tour, they will encounterGustav Klimt’sThe Kiss, Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s “Character Heads,”and many other significant works from the collection—each in their own creative and individual way. The result is a truly personal adventure through the Upper Belvedere.

The Fantastic Palastics offers an easy-to-understand and user-friendly interactive gaming experience that includes audio and visual elements, augmented reality, and creative drawing tasks. The key feature is a game map that guides players through the Upper Belvedere. Admission to the museum and participation in the game are free for everyone under the age of 19. No app download is required—QR codes provide direct access to a web app. The game is available in both German and English.

On a mission in the museum!

The Belvedere is home to some of the most valuable and historic works of art in Austria. But hidden within the palace walls lies a mystery waiting to be uncovered. The Fantastic Palastics began their adventure in the palace—now it’s time to explore the artistic treasures inside the Upper Belvedere! The mission? To playfully discover the artists of the future! Six animals that roamed the garden some three centuries ago have returned to the palace as the game’s main characters: Roco the Lion, Neo the Lemur, Rena the Gazelle, Pop the Sheep, Dada the Ostrich, and Flux the Porcupine.

The game begins in the Marble Hall, where the Sphinx—the castle’s guardian—explains the mission. Armed with a game card and a pen, young visitors embark on an adventure through the galleries, using their smartphones to scan their surroundings and complete various tasks. Creative challenges encourage them to draw, observe, imagine, and engage with art along the way. As they explore, players collect secret numbers. Only by combining all the parts of the code will they be able to solve the mystery. Who are the artists that will shape the future? By the end of the tour, players gain a powerful insight: we are all fantastic, and our ideas can enrich the world. A custom-designed selfie filter and a small surprise available in the museum store serve as lasting reminders of this empowering message.

Since 2023, countless young visitors have been enjoying the free Fantastic Palastics AR mobile game in the Belvedere Garden every day. The Garden Game offers innovative and exciting ways to discover the history of this World Heritage Site. Learn more about the first mission at belvedere.at/garden-game.