Gedenkstätte für die Opfer der Gestapo Wien

About the museum

From 1873 to 1938 the luxury Hotel Métropole stood on Morzinplatz. After the "Anschluss" in 1938, the Gestapo confiscated the building and made it its Vienna headquarters. The delivery entrance in Salztorgasse was later used to bring arrested people into the building. Shortly before the end of the war, the hotel was almost completely destroyed by bombs.

In 1968 a modern residential and commercial building, the Leopold-Figl-Hof, replaced the ruin. As part of this new construction, victims' associations set up a "memorial room for the victims of the Austrian freedom struggle" at the site of the former entrance. In front of it, on Morzinplatz, a separate memorial also commemorates the victims.

In 2011 the memorial room was renovated and retained its original form. The Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance (DÖW) added a new exhibition, which opened on 26 May 2011. The renovation was supported, among others, by the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism and the Future Fund.

The exhibition is devoted to the organisation and methods of the Gestapo and presents the life stories of persecuted people. It covers not only political opponents of the regime but also other groups of victims such as Jews, homosexuals and forced labourers. The small room is usually visited as part of an accompanied visit by the DÖW.

Highlights

• Authentic site of the former Gestapo headquarters in Vienna
• Memorial room of 1968 preserved in its original form
• Exhibition on the organisation, methods and victims of the Gestapo
• Life stories of persecuted people and resistance fighters
• Free accompanied visit by the DÖW upon registration

Founded

1968

Operated by

Dokumentationsarchiv des österreichischen Widerstandes (DÖW)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Visits and guided tours are free of charge; minimum number of participants for a tour is 5 people.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

There is one step up in front of the entrance to the memorial; the memorial has neither a toilet nor running water, but there are two chairs. Those who need barrier-free access should contact the DÖW office in advance (+43 1 22 89 469 800 or office@doew.at).

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Memorial dealing with violence and persecution; education programmes are aimed mainly at school classes.

Getting there & parking

The memorial is located on Morzinplatz in the Leopold-Figl-Hof, entrance Salztorgasse 6.

Amenities & dining

No toilet and no running water on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit