Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is a place full of history and heritage. The stories that this city can share go all the way back, from multiple centuries ago. It's no wonder that what many people do when they get here is to indulge in some culture. To enrich themselves in art, music, literature, history, and more that Vienna has to offer. And what better place to do just that than in a museum? Just like other famous European cities, some of the most worthwhile spots to visit in Vienna are its museums. Particularly, these noteworthy places.
Hofburg Palace
Vienna isn't just the capital city of Austria. It's also its crown jewel. It's where many important figures throughout history lived, not the least of which were the country's monarchs. And the latter's place of residence? The grand Hofburg Palace. If you ever have a free
day in Vienna, you'll want to visit this magnificent landmark. Home to the grand Hamburg Monarchy, it's become a museum devoted to them. Specifically, Emperor Franz Josef I and Empress Elisabeth. Learn about their life and legacy in this opulent palace.
Source: Hofburg Palace
Belvedere Museum
Another grand Viennese palace that houses a museum? Belvedere Museum! Formerly the summer residence of various Autrian royals throughout history, it's become a a shrine to Austrian art. And it's not just the paintings and sculptures too. The palace itself is a work of art, designed by Baroque architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, covered in stunning frescoes and more. Notably, the Belvedere Museum has the world's largest collection of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt's works. This includes his iconic 'This Kiss' piece too!
Source: Belvedere Museum
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Rubens, Titian, Carvaggio, Raphael, and Rembrandt. These are just some of the famous artists whos works are located in the beautiful Kunsthistorisches Museum. If you're a fan of the grand masters of art, this is the place for you. Housed in a neoclassical building that rivals Vienna's other regal sights, you can immerse yourself into the finest artworks known to man. Even beyond these legendary masters' works, you can also revel in the Ancient Greek and Egpytian artistry that's also a highlight here!
Source: Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna Facebook Page
Leopold Museum
One of the man must-see galleries in MuseumsQuartier, the
neighborhood in Vienna that's essentially made up of different museums, Leopold Museum is a haven for modern art. Though it also has a few classic works in its collection, not to mention the exhibitions they host that are devoted to historic painters, the place's main displays, as well as the way they display them, are more contemporary. The square and symmetric building alone is a far cry from the grand palaces mentioned earlier.
Source: Leopold Museum
Albertina Museum Wien
What used to serve as luxurious accommodations to the guests of the royal Hamburg family during their reign now stands as the famous Albertina Museum Wien today. This place is all about graphic art, from the paintings of legendary masters to modern works made by contemporary artists. If you want to get our fair share of Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Chagall and Picasso in Vienna, this is the museum you'll want to visit!
Source: Albertina Museum Wien
Art doesn't always have to mean decoration. Craftsmanship is front and center in Museum für Angewandte Kunst (MAK), a museum devoted to applied arts. From the Renaissance era all the way to the early-20th-century, this place has a large collection of vintage furniture, old machinery, and more. It's here where you can see the evolution of design throughout many centuries which, in a way, also chronicles technology, society, and more. It's a fascinating look as to how humanity went so far to reach today's modern age.
Source: MAK Vienna Facebook Page
Haus der Musik
You can probably already tell what this museum is all about. Hause of Musik is a mecca of music, teaching you the history and impact of classical music. Unbeknownst to many, Vienna is considered the capital of classical music, particularly because many of the world's most famous composers—Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Schubert, and more—have all lived and worked here at some point in their lives. Listen to their iconic works as you look through displays of their lives and legacy. The museum even lets you compose your own waltz too!
Source: Haus der Musik Facebook Page
Literaturmuseum
Who'd ever thought that a library could also double as a museum? After all, isn't safe to say that a museum is to art is what library is to literature? A place that stores famous works and gives the public a chance to see (or in this case, read) and enjoy them. Well, at least this is what the Literaturmuseum in the Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Museum) is all about. From ancient manuscripts to paraphernalia related to legendary authors, this place gives you a glimpse of the evolution of literature throughout the years. Afterward, you can always read in the library instead! It's a better place to do some reading instead of your
luxury home in Vienna.
Source: Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Facebook Page
Secession
Technically speaking, Secession isn't a museum in the traditional sense. At least, not like the other galleries on this list. However, this famous golden-domed palace is one of, if not the most famous exhibition space in Vienna. It's here where countless artists show off their latest works, musicians perform live, historic films are screened, and more. Though it doesn't have a permanent collection of its own, Secession remains a central spot for art, music and more in the Austrian capital. Its pièce de résistance is Gustav Kilmt's famous painting, 'Beethoven Frieze.'
Source: Secession.at
If you find yourself with nothing to do in Vienna, there's always going to a museum. The Austrian capital has an entire district full of them, each more beautiful, more cultural, and more fascinating than the next!
