Heeresgeschichtliches Museum

About the museum

The museum building was constructed from 1850 as the centrepiece of the Vienna Arsenal, which Emperor Franz Joseph had built as a fortified military complex after the Revolution of 1848. The Danish architect Theophil Hansen designed the building, planned as a weapons museum, with echoes of Byzantine and Gothic forms; the shell was completed in 1856. It is thus regarded as Austria's oldest building purpose-designed as a museum. The Feldherrenhalle and Ruhmeshalle were also meant to serve as a memorial to the imperial army.

In 1869 the systematically arranged weapons collection was opened to the public in the new building, and in 1891 it reopened as the Army Museum. Bombs severely damaged the building in 1944 and 1945; the museum reopened in 1955. To this day it does not come under the federal museums but, as a subordinate agency, under the Ministry of Defence.

Among the best-known objects are the automobile in which the heir to the throne and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, as well as holdings on the Austrian navy, the artillery and the tank collection. After public criticism of the presentation, a comprehensive reform process began in 2023 under director Georg Hoffmann: the museum now sees itself as a history museum that critically examines the relationship between war, the military and society. As the first visible step, the new exhibition on Austria between 1918 and 1955 opened in June 2026; further halls are being revised step by step. More recently the museum has also taken care of the Äußeres Burgtor at Heldenplatz as a place of remembrance.

Highlights

• The automobile of the Sarajevo assassination of 1914
• Feldherrenhalle and Ruhmeshalle with frescoes by Karl von Blaas
• New exhibition "Gewalt — Gesellschaft" on Austria 1918 to 1955
• Hall on Austria as a naval power
• Artillery halls and tank hall in the Arsenal
• Theophil Hansen's museum building in the Vienna Arsenal

Permanent exhibitions

• Gewalt — Gesellschaft. Österreich im Zeitalter der Weltkriege 1918 bis 1955 – New exhibition on the experience of violence, militarisation and the military in dictatorship and democracy, from the First Republic to the State Treaty.
• Der Erste Weltkrieg und das Attentat von Sarajevo – Group of halls on the end of the monarchy, starting with the assassination of the heir to the throne and his wife in 1914.
• Seemacht Österreich – Hall on the history of the Austrian navy with models, paintings and objects.

Founded

1869

Operated by

Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung

Director

Georg Hoffmann

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month and on National Day (26 October)

Reduced admission prices since 1 April 2025. Free admission also for ICOM members, soldiers in uniform and BMLV employees, civilian servicemen, members of the friends' association, severely war-disabled people, and with the Niederösterreich-CARD (once) and Vienna Pass.

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

All halls are barrier-free: exterior ramp at the main entrance, lift in the building, induction loop system. All toilets are equipped for people with disabilities. Braille catalogues free of charge at the ticket office. Two disabled parking spaces in the bay by Building 16. Assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Every first Saturday of the month, children's tour with the mascot Eugen. Free puzzle booklets for ages 6 to 9 and 10 and up, children's club with discounts, summer holiday programme for ages 6 to 10 and craft programmes in Advent. Changing tables in all toilets.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café Salut with integrated museum shop (books, souvenirs, HGM publications), daily 9 am–5 pm. Lockers in the ticket area (€2 deposit).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 120 guests.

The Ruhmeshalle (627.5 m², banquet or standing reception for up to 120 people) and the Feldherrenhalle (423 m², standing reception for up to 120 people) can be rented for dinners, receptions, readings, presentations and weddings; sound and presentation equipment and furniture can be hired, barrier-free access.

Plan your visit