Prunksaal der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek
Baroque library hall of the Hofburg with around 200,000 historic volumes, a dome fresco by Daniel Gran and the library of Prince Eugene.
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About the museum
The Austrian National Library goes back to the library of the Habsburgs and is among the most important libraries in the world. Its holdings grew over centuries through Habsburg collections, major purchases, donations and, later, legal deposit.
In the early 18th century, Emperor Charles VI had a dedicated library wing built at the Hofburg. Designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed by his son Joseph Emanuel, the State Hall on Josefsplatz is regarded as one of the most beautiful historic library halls. Beneath the oval dome, around 30 metres high, Daniel Gran's ceiling fresco depicts the glorification of the emperor; marble statues by the Strudel brothers, dark walnut wood and gilding characterise the space.
The shelves hold around 200,000 books from the years 1501 to 1850. In the central oval, the library of Prince Eugene of Savoy, comprising about 15,000 volumes, is housed in coloured leather. The State Hall is now an exhibition venue of the National Library; changing exhibitions can be seen in the baroque display cases. The library's Literature Museum, Papyrus Museum, Globe Museum and Esperanto Museum have their own locations and admission tickets.
Highlights
- Dome fresco by Daniel Gran
- Library of Prince Eugene in the central oval
- Around 200,000 volumes from 1501 to 1850
- Marble statues by the Strudel brothers
- Baroque display cases with changing presentations
- Founded
- 1368
- Operated by
- Österreichische Nationalbibliothek
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Students under 27, military and civil service personnel, holders of a disability pass, members of friends' associations of partner institutions |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and young people under 19 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | €10.50Pensioners |
| Visitors with disabilities | €10companion free · With disability pass; the registered accompanying person enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | €10Under 27 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €10 per personPer person for groups of 10 or more; group escorts free. Guided tours for groups €5 per person plus admission. |
| Universal weekly ticket (7 days, all museums of the National Library) | €21 |
| Annual museums pass including the House of Austrian History | €37 |
| Bundesmuseen Card | €99One year of admission to all federal museums and the museums of the National Library |
| Audio guide | €3For two or more people €2.50 per person |
With Vienna City Card €10.50, Ö1 Club and EasyCityPass €11. Free admission for members of the Society of Friends of the ÖNB, ICOM members, holders of the Kulturpass ("Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur") and journalists; NÖ-Card and Vienna Pass/Flexi Pass free once.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
For the small step at the entrance there is a blue bell at the left side gate on Josefsplatz; staff will put down a ramp. Accessible toilet in the entrance area, Josefsplatz 1, lockers that can be wheeled under, lightweight loan wheelchairs at the porter's desk. The baroque display cases can only be viewed to a limited extent from a wheelchair. Tours with sign language interpreter on the first Friday of every second month at 3 pm. Information: porter, Josefsplatz, +43 1 534 10-231, barrierefreiheit@onb.ac.at.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free puzzle booklet "Mit Euli durch den Prunksaal" for roughly 6- to 12-year-olds (German and English) at the service desk; children's tours and augmented-reality offering, programmes in the Wiener Ferienspiel.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Herrengasse
U3 to Herrengasse; U1, U2 and U4 to Karlsplatz (Oper exit); tram 1, 2, 71 and D to Kärntner Ring/Oper.
Entrance at Josefsplatz 1.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The State Hall is one of the National Library's rooms available for hire (events for up to 1,300 guests in total); catering, technical equipment and decoration freely selectable. Contact: vermietungen@onb.ac.at.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, IT, ES, FR, JA, ZH, UK) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Curator-led tours and further dates according to the calendar; private tours on request (for 10 or more people €5 per person plus admission). Virtual State Hall online. Tickets at the National Library's service desks or in the ticket shop. |
