Naturhistorisches Museum Wien

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to the mid-18th century, when Emperor Francis I Stephen of Lorraine acquired the then largest natural history collection from Johann Ritter von Baillou. The imperial natural history cabinets gave rise in 1876 to the Imperial and Royal Natural History Court Museum.

The building was constructed from 1871 to 1889 to plans by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer as a twin of the Kunsthistorisches Museum on Maria-Theresien-Platz. It opened to the public on 10 August 1889. The octagonal dome is around 33 metres high and crowned by a statue of Helios; the permanent collection is spread over 39 halls.

The collections comprise around 30 million objects. On display in the permanent collection are, among other things, the roughly 29,500-year-old Venus of Willendorf, the world's largest publicly displayed meteorite collection, a bouquet of gemstones made of over 2,100 diamonds, and skeletons and models of dinosaurs. The museum is also one of Austria's major non-university research institutions; it also includes the Pathological-Anatomical Collection in the Narrenturm.

Highlights

• Venus of Willendorf
• The world's largest publicly displayed meteorite collection
• Dinosaur hall with reconstructions of Diplodocus and Allosaurus
• Gemstone bouquet with over 2,100 diamonds
• Roof tour above the rooftops of Vienna
• Deck 50, a hands-on space

Permanent exhibitions

• Saurier (Saal 10) – Skeletons and reconstructions of dinosaurs such as Diplodocus, Allosaurus and Iguanodon.
• Meteoriten (Saal 5) – The world's largest publicly displayed meteorite collection, with pieces from hundreds of different meteorites.
• Urgeschichte (Saal 11–13) – Archaeological finds from prehistory, including the roughly 29,500-year-old Venus of Willendorf.

Founded

1889

Operated by

Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (wissenschaftliche Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts)

Director

Katrin Vohland

Visitors per year

approx. 971,061 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Kulturpass, ICOM card, Vienna Pass and press card with accreditation. Buy tickets only via the museum's website or at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Entrance for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments at the side entrance, Burgring 7, with level access to the lift; visitor assistants collect you from the porter and purchase the ticket. Wheelchairs available to borrow without reservation. Assistance dogs registered in the disability pass are welcome. Audio guides are compatible with hearing aids. The tactile path for blind visitors is currently being revised. The roof terrace is not accessible. Information: +43 1 52177 207.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties from age 4 (90 minutes, €200), "Ice Age Kids at Night" from age 5 and "Night at the Museum" for 7- to 11-year-olds, private tours from age 3. In Deck 50, research topics can be explored through play. With a pushchair, use the main entrance on Maria-Theresien-Platz; staff will help.

Getting there & parking

Visitor entrance on Maria-Theresien-Platz; step-free access via the side entrance, Burgring 7.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café Restaurant in the Upper Dome Hall (Thursday–Monday 10 am–5 pm, Wednesday 10 am–7 pm; operated by Food affairs), "Kultur & Kulinarium" dinner on Wednesdays, Sunday breakfast. Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 500 guests.

Upper Dome Hall (gala dinners), Lower Dome Hall (receptions, concerts), lecture hall and Dinosaur Hall for 2 to 500 guests; events after museum closing time or on Tuesdays.

Plan your visit