Belvedere 21

About the museum

The Belvedere 21 building was designed by Karl Schwanzer as the Austrian Pavilion for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels – a steel-frame structure with glass halls that won an architecture prize. After the Expo, the pavilion was rebuilt in Vienna's Schweizergarten and opened in 1962 as the Museum of the 20th Century, popularly known as the “20er Haus”.

When the Museum of Modern Art moved to the MuseumsQuartier, the building passed to the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in 2002. Adolf Krischanitz, a student of Schwanzer, renovated it from 2007; in 2011 it reopened as the 21er Haus – Museum of Contemporary Art.

Since 2018 it has been called Belvedere 21 and is, alongside the Upper and Lower Belvedere, the museum's third venue. It sees itself as an open place for contemporary art, performance, film, music and discussion in the new urban district near the main railway station.

The building also includes a freely accessible sculpture garden, the originally preserved Blickle Kino from the 1950s and the Ursula Blickle Video Archive with more than 2,500 works.

Highlights

• Architectural icon of post-war modernism by Karl Schwanzer
• Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art
• Freely accessible sculpture garden
• Blickle Kino from the 1950s with free programme
• Ursula Blickle Video Archive

Permanent exhibition

• Skulpturengarten – Sculptures by internationally known artists stand around the pavilion; the garden is free to enter.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Österreichische Galerie Belvedere (Bundesmuseum, wissenschaftliche Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts)

Director

Stella Rollig

Admission & discounts

Prices are subject to daily changes; the prices given are those of 5 October 2026. Free admission and free audio guide with the Kulturpass (“Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur”). Sculpture garden and programme at the Blickle Kino free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ground-level main entrance with automatic double swing door; all areas accessible by lift, sculpture garden accessible. One disabled parking space with access via Arsenalstraße 1. Wheelchair available at the ticket desk. Assistance dogs only with certificate and entry in the disability pass.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties in the glass pavilion with a tour and party in the studio; workshops and family activities according to the programme. Strollers are allowed everywhere.

Getting there & parking

Charging station for electric cars and a Citybike station in the immediate vicinity.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Lucy Bar in the foyer (Tue–Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Thu until 9 p.m.). Shop in the foyer, accessible without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 600 guests.

Available for hire: the glass pavilion (up to 600 people), foyer with Lucy Bar (cocktail reception up to 240), Event Space (cocktail reception up to 300) and Blickle Kino (115 seats); sculpture garden on request.

Plan your visit