Globenmuseum und Esperantomuseum der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek

About the museum

The idea of a dedicated globe museum traces back to Vienna engineer Robert Haardt, who, after World War II, set up a private "Globus-Museum" in his apartment on Gusshausstrasse. The Education Ministry transferred pieces acquired with public funds to the Austrian National Library in 1953, which opened the museum on April 14, 1956, with 63 objects. After several moves within Hofburg, the collection steadily grew; today the collection comprises over 820 objects, of which over 250 are on display.

Since December 2005, the Globe Museum has been located on the first floor of the Baroque Palais Mollard on Herrengasse. Among the most significant pieces are the oldest surviving terrestrial globe of Austria by Gemma Frisius (1536), the globe pair by Gerard Mercator from 1541 and 1551, and works by Venetian globe maker Vincenzo Coronelli. Armillary spheres, tellurians, and planetaria, a gold cabinet with wall paintings, as well as rare lunar and planetary globes supplement the exhibition. For its 70th anniversary in 2026, a multimedia room on globes in everyday life, art, and pop culture was added.

In the same building is the Esperanto Museum, founded by Hugo Steiner in 1927 and affiliated with the National Library a year later. After closure by the Gestapo in 1938, it reopened in 1947 in Hofburg and moved to Palais Mollard in 2005 along with the collection of planned languages. The exhibition tells the history of Esperanto since 1887 and presents other planned languages at media stations—from Volapük and Ido to Klingon. Both museums are visited with a joint combo ticket.

Highlights

• Austria's oldest terrestrial globe by Gemma Frisius (1536)
• Terrestrial and celestial globe by Gerard Mercator (1541/1551)
• Gold cabinet with globe-related instruments
• Lunar and planetary globes
• Esperanto Museum with media stations on planned languages from Volapük to Klingon

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Globenmuseum – Terrestrial, celestial, lunar, and planetary globes from the 16th through 20th centuries, their manufacture and history, plus the gold cabinet with instruments and since 2026 a media room on globes in pop culture.
• Dauerausstellung Esperantomuseum – History and present of Esperanto as well as numerous other planned languages, conveyed through film, listening stations, and interactive media.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

Admission & discounts

The ticket is a combo ticket for Globe and Esperanto Museums. With Vienna City Card, Ö1-Club, and EasyCityPass EUR 5.50. Free admission for friends of the ÖNB, ICOM members, holders of the Culture Pass ("Hunger for Art and Culture"), and journalists; Lower Austria Card as well as Vienna Pass/Flexi Pass once free.

Accessibility

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

Globe and Esperanto Museums in Palais Mollard are wheelchair accessible; accessible restroom on ground floor, underpassable lockers in the cloakroom. Certified assistance dogs permitted. Special tours upon request via kulturvermittlung@onb.ac.at; accessibility questions: barrierefreiheit@onb.ac.at.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Baby tours "My Baby in the World of Globes" (45 minutes, stroller and baby carrier welcome) as well as WIENXTRA children's tours such as "Where Does Chocolate Come From?" for ages 6–12 with adult supervision. Changing table in Palais Mollard.

Getting there & parking

Entrance at Palais Mollard, Herrengasse 9; tickets at the service desk in Palais.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

The first floor of Palais Mollard can be rented with Salon Hoboken (up to 80 people), Salon Coronelli, and Salon Clary (total 367 m²), optionally with exclusive tours of the Globe and Esperanto Museums.

Plan your visit