Dom Museum Wien

About the museum

Plans for a cathedral and diocesan museum had existed since the 19th century and were realised under Cardinal Theodor Innitzer: on 3 June 1933 the museum opened in the Baroque state rooms of the Archbishop’s Palace. From the outset its centrepiece was the portrait of Duke Rudolf IV and his precious burial cloth.

In 1973 the museum moved into the former residence of the cathedral provost in the Zwettlerhof on Stephansplatz, directly opposite the cathedral; from the 1980s onwards further rooms were added. In 2012 the house closed for a conversion designed by Boris Podrecca and was given a new content focus. Since 2013 the museum has been directed by the art historian Johanna Schwanberg, and it reopened as the “Dom Museum Wien” in October 2017.

The permanent collection brings together the medieval treasury of St. Stephen’s, works from parishes of the archdiocese, and the collection of the cathedral preacher Otto Mauer, with art of Viennese Modernism and the post-war avant-garde. Historic and contemporary works are deliberately juxtaposed; annual thematic exhibitions take up social issues. In 2020 the museum received the Austrian Museum Prize.

Highlights

• Portrait of Duke Rudolf IV – an early three-quarter-view portrait
• Gold-silk burial cloth of Rudolf IV
• Treasury of St. Stephen’s with monstrances, reliquaries and manuscripts
• Ober-St.-Veit Altar in the restored former chapel
• Otto Mauer Collection with works of the Austrian avant-garde

Permanent exhibitions

• Domschatz St. Stephan – Medieval treasures of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, including the portrait and burial cloth of Duke Rudolf IV, monstrances, reliquaries and liturgical vestments.
• Diözesane Sammlung – Altars, saint figures, panel paintings and book illumination from parishes of the Archdiocese of Vienna from the Middle Ages to the Baroque.
• Sammlung Otto Mauer – Works of Viennese Modernism and the post-war avant-garde from the collection of the cathedral preacher Otto Mauer, supplemented by contemporary positions.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Erzdiözese Wien

Director

Johanna Schwanberg

Admission & discounts

Free admission with, among others, the Vienna Pass, Kulturpass (“Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur”), ICOM, AICA, the Austrian Museums Association, and for Austria Guides. Reduced admission with a ticket from the Haus der Geschichte Österreich or the Jewish Museum Vienna. Combined ticket with St. Stephen’s Cathedral available. Card payment possible.

Accessibility

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

Step-free main entrance with power-operated revolving door (154 cm), lift to the 1st floor (102 cm); all collection areas accessible. Wheelchair available to borrow at the ticket desk. Tactile reliefs of the portrait and burial cloth of Rudolf IV; touch tours for groups (90 minutes, €12 per person, assistant free). Media guide with a mode for TalkBack/VoiceOver and in Austrian Sign Language; “Einfach erklärt” (easy-to-read) booklets in large print.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family workshops for 3- to 12-year-olds, baby tours for parents with prams or baby carriers, interactive tours with a creative part in the Dom Atelier for children’s groups. Children’s birthday parties for 6- to 12-year-olds (2.5 hours). Quiz for children and teenagers in the media guide.

Getting there & parking

The museum recommends arriving on foot, by bicycle or by public transport.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Mamas Café in the Zwettlerhof right next to the museum (Mon–Fri 9:30 am–5:30 pm; social project), with 10% off a hot drink with a museum ticket. Museum shop with catalogues, art prints and its own editions.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit