Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of the most important museums in Vienna and one of the most important art galleries in the world. In this article, I will give a video tour and some written history of arguably the most famous landmark in Austria.

Vienna is easily one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, with many interesting sights to see indoors and out. While walking around and exploring the grounds of the Austrian capital, you might feel as though you are on the set of a period drama surrounded by magnificent historical architecture.

Vienna has much more going on than these glorious old buildings, though. It’s brimming with adventure, rich history, outstanding cuisine, vibrant culture, and an incredible art scene!

Vienna is the home that has molded and raised brilliant minds, including Beethoven, Mozart, and the founding father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. The city boasts outstanding museums that showcase her ancient history, as well as her plethora of artwork treasures.

Among the best art museums to explore in Vienna is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It is a great museum that will dazzle your eyes with the beauty of many artworks and engage your brain with Austrian history.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is one of the world’s largest fine arts museums known as Vienna’s answer to The Louvre.

Kunsthistorisches Museum Tour in Vienna, Austria [4K UHD]

Watch this video on YouTube.

The collections include art from antiquity to the post-modern era and paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Delacroix, Renoir, Rodin, Monet, and Cezanne. Making it one of the best things to do in Vienna with kids.

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Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna History

I give you a first-person tour of the museum and show you some of my favorite highlights from inside! In 1871 Vienna opened a new museum, the K.K. Österreichisches Museum für Kunst und Industrie, or “The Imperial Austrian Museum for Art and Industry.”

Unfortunately, the space the museum first occupied was too small for the collection’s plethora of artifacts and works, and much thought was given to coming up with a new space.

Under Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary’s direction, the new palatial building for the Kunsthistorisches Museum was built at Maria-Theresian-Platz.

And WHAT a building. In 1891, the Kunsthistorisches Museum opened its new doors. The building was damaged during World War II, and Nazis would loot some of the museum’s most priceless treasures, but the building was restored following the war.

One of my favorite features about this museum is that you can take great photographs outside! The building is a gorgeous example of Baroque architecture and the surroundings are postcard perfect. There are also some fantastic restaurants and cafes around the museum if you need refueling.

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Visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Art History Museum, houses a fascinating collection of art, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important galleries.

Also known as the KHM, the museum is housed in a colorful royal edifice on Ringstraße and topped with an octagonal dome, and is located in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center.

A visit to the museum is a ticket to an artist’s adventure where you can admire a sea of masterpieces, collected, compiled, and loved for centuries.

Successive Habsburg monarchs, most notably Archduke Leopold William in the mid-17th century, gathered a vast collection of treasures, which led to the establishment of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the late 19th Century – not just as a place for the Habsburg family to store their loot, but also to share it with the people.

How to get to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

The KHM can be reached from the city center by bus, train, light rail, or a quick stroll. It’s also a great jumping-off point for a day out in Vienna, as some of the city’s other major attractions are only a few minutes walk away.

It will take 5 to 10 minutes to get to the Kunsthistorisches Museum by foot from Stephansplatz. Remember that the Kunsthistorisches Museum is closed on Mondays when planning your visit. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with opening hours of 9 am to 5 pm each day.

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Kunsthistorisches Museum Collections

A significant collection of varied exhibits, including paintings, sculptures, coins, and countless decorative arts, can be viewed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

The museum’s collections are remarkably diverse, including the Egyptian and Near-Eastern Collection, Greek and Roman Antiquities Collection, Picture Gallery, Kunstkammer Wien, and Coin Collection.

The interior of this museum has a spectacular design with marble walls and gold accents. It has a grand and very ornate look, with many different statues and paintings adorning the halls. Not to be missed are the stunning glass sphere chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in some spots!

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Kunsthistorisches Museum Artworks

The Kunsthistorische Museum Wien houses over 100,000 works of art that you can admire up close. Still, besides the expected oil paintings or sculptures, the museum exhibits tons of other artifacts.

This includes historical items like medieval armor, weapons, ancient tools, and antiques from across the ages. The museum famously houses many ancient Egyptian artifacts and ancient Greek art.

A collection of Lebanese art and artifacts is on display in the Ephesos Museum and Collection of Sculptures, as well as the Imperial Armoury, the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, and the Coin Collection.

Some of the KHM’s Exhibitions are also on display at the nearby Imperial Treasury and Imperial Carriage Museum in Vienna, as well as the Ambras Castle in the beautiful city of Innsbruck.

When it comes to famous works of art, the KHM doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find paintings from the Renaissance, including the world’s most outstanding collection of Bruegel paintings, as well as works from the Baroque schools from Italy, Germany, Spain, and others.

There are also the paintings of well-known artists such as Dürer, Titian, Velázquez, and many others that would turn this article into a who’s who of the art world. The museum is, of course, home to Benvenuto Cellini’s nearly 500-year-old Salieri.

Sculptures at Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

Amenities and Tours

Beyond the world-famous exhibits, the museum has more to offer in the form of guided public and private tours, art seminars, and a variety of educational programs to name but a few. This incredible museum can also be booked for a variety of events, including weddings and receptions.

For hungry or thirsty visitors, there’s an on-site café and restaurant where you can have some time to grab a bite and unwind. You can also find many super souvenirs at the museum shop and boutique. The shop offers a brilliant selection of art goods, as well as continuously updated new gifts and literature relevant to the collections and exhibitions on display.

The KHM’s boutique sells a variety of art-related items, including jewelry inspired by the museum’s collections, tiny replicas of sculptures, prints, and postcards of some of the museum’s most famous works, and much more.

Final Thoughts: Art History Museum of Vienna

The museum’s extensive collections, distinctive characteristics, and overall aesthetic appeal distinguish it as one of the most beautiful museums of any sort in the world.

In the KHM, you can travel back in time, learn about artistic treasures, marvel at masterpieces, and bathe in the splendor of creativity. It is one of the most visually enthralling experiences in Vienna.

The museum is also a great beginning to your journey through Vienna. You may continue your trip to see more of Vienna’s most popular attractions nearby after learning about its incredible collection.

The Natural History Museum and Maria Theresien Square are two of the closest tourist attractions to the KHM and are well worth a visit. If you’re headed to the metropolitan paradise of Vienna, don’t forget to visit the Kunsthistorische Museum. Your soul will thank you later!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the Kunsthistorisches Museum?

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, often known as the Art History Museum of Vienna, is divided into several galleries. The museum’s most important galleries are located in the KHM at Maria-Theresian-Platz, in Vienna’s center.

Other galleries include the Hofburg Palace, Museum of Carriages and Department of Court Uniforms (in Schönbrunn Palace), Collections of Ambras Castle (in Innsbruck), the Austrian Theatre Museum (in Palais Lobkowitz).

The Hofburg Palace galleries are well worth a visit for the building alone. The Hofburg was home to emperors and presidents of the Habsburg monarchy and now houses over 800 years of Austrian history. It can be found at Burgring 7, 1010 Wien.

How many museums are in Vienna?

TONS. Simply put, Vienna is a global center of history and culture and is home to hundreds of fascinating museums. Kunsthistorisches Museum, often known as the Art History Museum of Vienna, is the most popular museum in Vienna.

There are many other museums including The Museum of Fine Arts, The Leopold Museum, The Jewish Historical Museum, and the ZOOM Children’s Museum.
Conveniently, most museums can be found near Museumsquartier in Vienna.

What is the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s address and phone number?

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is located at Maria-Theresien-Platz, Vienna, Austria and has a phone number of (+43 1) 507 19 92 47.

Where can I buy tickets for the Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna?

You may buy your tickets online or at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

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