Because of its architecture and historical importance, the Belvedere forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, inscribed in 1999.

[1] It was commissioned by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia and as completed is only part of a substantially more extensive project for the hilltop site.

The Belvedere was built, as its name suggests, as a viewing platform for visitors and contains only two modest scale rooms for entertainment, one in each upper tower.

The Belvedere fell into disrepair during World War II and was left abandoned in the period of the German Democratic Republic.

Visitors ascend by many steps both outside and inside, with the final ascent being made via a narrow iron spiral staircase.