Möbelmuseum Wien

About the museum

The museum's roots reach back to the 18th century: in 1747 Maria Theresa appointed the first court furniture inspector, who was to inventory, maintain and above all transport the imperial furniture. The court moved through the year between the Hofburg, Schönbrunn, Laxenburg and hunting lodges, and the palaces were not permanently furnished until the early 19th century; even for coronations, throne furnishings and collapsible thrones travelled along.

In 1901 Emperor Franz Joseph I had the k. k. Hofmobiliendepot built at Mariahilfer Straße 88 as a central store with workshops and carriage sheds. After 1919 the Republic took over the holdings and used them to furnish its offices. In 1924 a first permanent display opened in what was by then the Bundesmobiliendepot, intended as a model collection for craftsmen and showing Baroque, Empire and Biedermeier furniture.

From 1993 the building underwent a general renovation and was extended by an adjacent factory building and a Biedermeier house on Andreasgasse. In 1998 it opened as a modern museum to plans by Alessandro Alverà. To this day it combines storage, restoration workshops, administration and exhibition: of the total holdings of around 165,000 objects, about 6,000 are on view, from Maria Theresa's desk through Biedermeier alcoves and imperial thrones to furniture by Otto Wagner, Josef Hoffmann and contemporary Austrian design. A separate area is devoted to the Sissi films of the 1950s, for which original furniture from the depot was used. The museum is operated by Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H.

Highlights

• Maria Theresa's desk by Giuseppe Maggiolini
• Wheeled chair of Empress Elisabeth Christine
• Biedermeier alcoves with complete living rooms
• Throne arrangement from the Vienna Hofburg
• "Sitting machine" by Josef Hoffmann and furniture from Otto Wagner's Postsparkasse
• "Sissi in Film" area with recreated film scenes

Permanent exhibitions

• Möbel aus drei Jahrhunderten – Permanent display from the Baroque through Empire, Biedermeier and Historicism to Viennese Modernism and the design of the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Die Habsburger ganz persönlich – Everyday items from the imperial household such as Rudolf's cradle, Sisi's scales or hygiene porcelain tell of the ruling family's private life.
• Sissi im Film – Scenes recreated with original furniture, film clips and posters show how imperial furnishings equipped the Sissi films starring Romy Schneider.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. (Schönbrunn Group)

Admission & discounts

All site tickets include an audio guide. €1.50 discount with the Ö1 Club card. Seasonal price changes reserved.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All exhibition areas can be reached by ramps or lift; wheelchairs free of charge at the ticket desk; accessible toilets in the ticket hall and on the 1st floor. For blind and visually impaired guests, tours with tactile objects on request. No disabled parking spaces nearby.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's tours and workshops, family Sundays as part of WIENXTRA on selected Sundays, and children's birthday parties with various programmes; dedicated offerings for school groups.

Getting there & parking

Access by car only from Neubaugürtel via the Mariahilfer Straße shared zone to Andreasgasse (around the clock, except on Advent shopping Saturdays).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Wiener Eiswerkstatt in the museum with ice cream, snacks and coffee (Tue–Sun 12 noon–10 p.m.).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The museum can be hired for presentations, conferences, cocktail receptions, lectures and readings, optionally with special tours outside opening hours.

Plan your visit