Brennpunkt° – Museum der Heizkultur Wien

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1985 as the "Heizungsmuseum der Stadt Wien" (Vienna Heating Museum). The initiative came from Walter Beer and staff of the city's Municipal Department 32. Until 2009 the collection was housed at Längenfeldgasse 13–15.

After a redesign, the museum was renamed "Brennpunkt°" and given a new entrance at Malfattigasse 4, in the building of the Hans-Mandl vocational school. Today it is run by the City of Vienna's Building and Facility Management, supported by a friends' association.

The collection includes objects that have rarely survived elsewhere: boiler and cooling systems, industrial kitchens, steam heating from schools, hospitals and nurseries, ornate cast-iron and tiled stoves, as well as gas appliances and bath and laundry heaters. Two historic classrooms heated by individual stoves show school life of earlier times.

The tour tells the story of heating as part of social and cultural change – from the heat demand of the big city to cooking, bathing and washing in private life. A more recent section of the exhibition uses infographics, films and interactive stations to look at Vienna's future energy supply.

Highlights

• Historic boiler and cooling systems from municipal facilities
• Ornate cast-iron and tiled stoves
• Two historic school classrooms heated by individual stoves
• Interactive stations on thermal energy and saving energy
• Exhibition section "Energy of the Future – Future of Energy"

Permanent exhibition

• Energie der Zukunft – Zukunft der Energie – End of the tour: infographics, films and games explain energy sources, storage and heat pumps and show the situation in Vienna.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Stadt Wien – Bau- und Gebäudemanagement

Admission & discounts

Guided tours are free. Members of the friends' association have free admission.

Accessibility

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

Main entrance step-free (two double doors, about 180 cm wide); all exhibition areas accessible by lift, with Braille on the lift buttons. Wheelchair-accessible toilet in the entrance area, seating in all areas. Tours for visually impaired visitors on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Interactive stations on thermal energy; age-appropriate tours for kindergarten and primary school groups.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop, including items for children.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 350 guests.

The entire museum (1,600 m², up to 350 people) can be hired, as well as a large seminar room (up to 80 people) and a small one (up to 25 people) with media technology.

Plan your visit