Lexi Webster
Austria is home to a fascinating and varied museum scene, from art and history to science and technology. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, or the Museum of Fine Arts, is considered the crown jewel of Austria's museums. It was founded by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1891 to showcase the Habsburgs' collection of art. The museum features works by Michelangelo, Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, and Raphael, as well as the largest collection of paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. For those interested in natural history, the Vienna Natural History Museum offers a fascinating and educational experience with a large collection of dinosaur bones and the world's largest exhibit of meteorites. The Military History Museum in Vienna is also notable, with its collection of significant military artefacts, including the car and blood-stained uniform of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of museum | Military museum, art museum, natural history museum, ethnographic museum, museum of folk life and folk art, open-air museum, museum of technology, museum of digital computer worlds, etc. |
| Exhibits | Firearms, tanks, artworks, dinosaur bones, meteorites, prehistoric sculptures, etc. |
| Notable collections/artefacts | The world's largest exhibit of meteorites, the 28,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf, paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, etc. |
| Notable for | Being one of the world's most important history museums, having interactive exhibits, being housed in a building with impressive architecture, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the KHM, is a museum in Vienna, Austria, housed in a palatial building on the Vienna Ring Road. It is the country's largest art museum and is considered one of the most important museums in the world. The museum was opened in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, who commissioned the building to create a suitable home for the Habsburgs' extensive art collection and make it accessible to the public. The building's design combines two architectural traditions, with a dramatic entrance hall, staircase, and cupola hall, featuring neo-baroque decorations and sculptures.
The museum's collection spans seven millennia, from Ancient Egypt to the late 18th century, with a particular focus on Renaissance and Baroque art. The KHM's old masters collection is a significant highlight, accumulated by two prominent art collectors from the Habsburgs: Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. The museum boasts masterpieces by renowned artists such as Dürer, Raphael, Titian, and Velázquez, as well as the world's largest collection of Bruegel paintings.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum also offers unique exhibits like the Cellini Salt Cellar sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini, which was stolen in 2003 and recovered in 2006. The museum's collections are spread across different locations, with the main building housing the Picture Gallery, the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection, the Coin Collection, and the Kunstkammer. Other locations include the Neue Burg, Hofburg Palace, and Schoenbrunn Palace, each showcasing various specialised collections.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum provides a wealth of artistic and historical treasures for visitors to explore. Its website and app offer digital resources, tours, and information to enhance the experience, ensuring that visitors can make the most of their time and fully appreciate the vast array of exhibits this spectacular museum has to offer.
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Military History Museum, Vienna
The Military History Museum in Vienna, also known as the Museum of Military History – Military History Institute (German: Heeresgeschichtliches Museum – Militärhistorisches Institut), is the leading museum of the Austrian Armed Forces. It is housed in a building that was once a part of a huge military complex, the Arsenal, which was the largest building project of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The museum is known for its large collection of firearms, tanks, aeroplanes, uniforms, medals, and other military artefacts.
The museum's collections are among the oldest in Vienna and can be traced back to the 17th century. They became a popular attraction in the 18th century. The Military History Museum illustrates the history of the Habsburg monarchy and the fortunes of Austria from the late 16th century until 1945. The first hall of the museum is dedicated to the history of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of frequent military conflicts.
The museum's exhibits cover various themes, including the history of warfare, the development of military technology, and the impact of political events on society and the military. One notable exhibit is dedicated to the turbulent history of the First Republic and World War II, displaying weapons and documents from that era. The museum also showcases the history of the Austrian Federal Army, Austria's annexation to Nazi Germany, and the resulting integration of the Federal Army into the Wehrmacht.
The Military History Museum also features a hall dedicated to Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne, who was assassinated in 1914. This hall displays the automobile in which Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot, the Archduke's blood-stained uniform, and the chaise longue on which he died. The museum also includes exhibits on Prince Eugene, Maria Theresia, and various wars in which Austria participated.
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Vienna Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum Vienna (German: Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) is one of the largest museums in Austria. It is located near the Imperial Palace in Vienna and is an important centre of excellence for all matters relating to natural sciences. The museum's 39 exhibition rooms cover 8,460 square meters and present more than 100,000 objects. The museum is home to 20-30 million objects, including rare fossils, snails, mussels, corals, valuable minerals, gemstones, and precious stones. The collection also includes numerous taxidermy specimens of animals that are either extinct or threatened with extinction.
The history of the museum dates back to 1750 when Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, Maria Theresa's husband, purchased what was then the world's largest collection of natural history objects. In 1752, Emperor Francis founded the Schönbrunn zoo, followed by a botanical garden in 1753. He also organised the first scientific overseas expedition, commissioning Nicolaus Joseph Jacquin to travel to the Caribbean, the Antilles, Venezuela, and Colombia. After the Emperor's death, Maria Theresa donated the natural science collection to the state and opened it to the public, creating the first museum in line with the principles of the Enlightenment.
The building itself incorporates stylistic elements from many past periods, particularly the Renaissance. Construction began in 1871, and the facade was completed in 1881. The museum was opened to the public on August 10, 1889, by Emperor Franz Joseph I during an extensive reorganisation of the museum collections from 1851 to 1876. The building is around 170 meters long and 70 meters wide, with two courtyards surrounded by working and exhibition rooms. The roof features a 65-metre dome bearing a bronze statue of Helios, the Greek sun god. The upper and middle levels of the facade display allegorical and mythological figures representing key elements of the universe and its discovery by humankind. The museum's collection is systematically arranged, with new objects added each year and special temporary exhibitions presented in individual halls.
The museum offers guided tours of the roof, providing a unique view of Vienna's Old City and Ringstrasse. It is wheelchair accessible and offers assistance and guide dogs. The museum also provides a path for the blind and visually impaired, with 15 free-standing tactile exhibits from mineralogy, geology, and anthropology. The museum's special exhibitions cover a range of topics, including pest control measures and the influence of climate change on pest problems in museums.
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Schubert's Sterbewohnung
Schubert Sterbewohnung is a small museum dedicated to the life and work of the composer Franz Schubert. It is located in Kettenbrückengasse, Vienna, in the apartment where Schubert spent the last few months of his life, and where he ultimately died in 1828, aged 31. The apartment was owned by Schubert's brother, Ferdinand, and still survives today as part of a "normal" house, with the other apartments remaining occupied.
The museum is made up of three fairly spartan rooms with creaking wooden floors and whitewashed walls. The exhibits document the final weeks of Schubert's life, his death, funeral, and grave. They include musical drafts and a copy of the last letter he personally wrote to Franz von Schober. A copy of a letter from Ferdinand to his father details Schubert's deathbed wish to be buried next to Beethoven, which was granted.
The museum is under the auspices of the Wien Museum group of sites and is open from Friday to Sunday, 10:00–13:00, 14:00–17:00. It is closed on the 1st of January, the 1st of May, and the 25th of December. An adult ticket costs €5, or you can get one-time free entry with a Vienna Pass. The first antechamber has information in English, but the rest of the exhibit is in German.
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The Jewish Museum
The museum's exhibits are wide-ranging and often include special exhibitions that delve into specific themes or aspects of Jewish life. These exhibitions showcase artefacts, documents, and other cultural treasures that provide valuable insights into the community's rich heritage. Through these displays, visitors can learn about the traditions, customs, and beliefs that have shaped Jewish identity in Vienna.
One of the key roles of the Jewish Museum is to foster understanding and dialogue between different communities. By presenting the history and experiences of Vienna's Jewish population, the museum encourages cultural exchange and promotes tolerance and diversity. It serves as a space for people of all backgrounds to come together, learn from each other, and develop a deeper appreciation for the richness of Jewish culture.
The museum also recognises the darker chapters in the history of the Jewish community, including the persecution they faced during World War II. By addressing these difficult periods, the museum ensures that the stories of resilience and survival are remembered and that the impact of such events on the community is not forgotten.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a varied museum scene, with institutions dedicated to history, art, culture, science, and technology. Some of the best museums in the country include:
- The Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a lavish collection of artworks amassed by the Habsburgs.
- The Vienna Natural History Museum, which features exhibits on dinosaurs, prehistoric sculptures, and meteorites.
- The Military History Museum, which displays significant military artefacts such as the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.
- Hangar-7, a unique museum that combines art and food by bringing in top chefs from around the world.
- The Museum of the Future, which offers insights into digital technology and media with impressive LED facades and exhibitions.
Austria is home to several renowned art museums, including:
- The Kunsthistorisches Museum, mentioned earlier, which is the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.
- The Wien Museum, which often hosts special exhibitions featuring the works of new artists.
- The Ernst Fuchs Museum, dedicated to the art, design, and decor of the renowned Austrian artist Ernst Fuchs.
Yes, Austria has several museums dedicated to history and culture, including:
- The Military History Museum, mentioned earlier, which showcases firearms, tanks, and other military artefacts.
- The Jewish Museum, which explores the history of the Jewish community in Vienna.
- The Weltmuseum, a modern ethnographic museum that displays artefacts from around the world, including contemporary art.
- The Volkskundemuseum, the Austrian museum of folk life and folk art with an ethnographic focus.
Absolutely! Here are some unique museums in Austria that offer a different perspective:
- Schubert’s Sterbewohung, the apartment where composer Schubert died.
- The Strausswohnung, a small museum with biographical items and displays related to composer Strauss, including where he wrote "The Blue Danube".
- Carnuntum, an open-air museum that reconstructs ancient houses to their original form, offering a window into past lifestyles and regional cultures.
