Römermuseum Wien

About the museum

A first Roman museum, the Museum Vindobonense opened in 1903, was lost in the Second World War. The foundation for the present site was laid in 1948 by sewer works at Hoher Markt: the remains of two tribune houses, that is, officers' houses of the Roman legionary camp Vindobona, came to light. They are regarded as the most significant and best-preserved Roman excavation in the city and became a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Vienna under the name "Roman Ruins".

In 2007 and 2008 the architecture firm Querkraft fundamentally redesigned the 1950s building; in May 2008 the Römermuseum reopened in its new form. Visitor numbers doubled within a year, and in 2009 the museum received the Förderungspreis of the Austrian Museum Prize.

The exhibition introduces the heyday of Vindobona in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, when up to 30,000 people from all parts of the empire lived in the camp and civilian town. Around 300 archaeological objects, from everyday items to ancient inscriptions, tell of the military, trade, crafts and religion, but also of taverns, baths and leisure. Reconstructions, animated films, interactive objects and replicas to touch make Roman Vienna accessible to children too; in the basement the original foundations of the officers' houses can be seen.

Highlights

• Original wall remains of two officers' houses of the Vindobona legionary camp in the basement
• Archaeological finds from everyday objects to ancient inscriptions
• Reconstructions, animated films and replicas to touch
• Hands-on and tactile objects, also for blind and visually impaired people
• Digital guide in German, English, Easy Language and sign language

Permanent exhibition

• Vindobona – Dauerausstellung – Archaeological finds, reconstructions and the preserved officers' houses of the legionary camp tell of Roman everyday life in Vindobona.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Museen der Stadt Wien – Wien Museum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

Free admission also with the Wien Museum annual pass, ICOM card and "Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur"; reduced admission with the Vienna City Card and Ö1-Club.

Accessibility

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

Very limited accessibility: the main entrance is step-free, but the ground-floor rooms are only partly accessible (rear section via 8 steps); the excavations in the basement and the exhibition on the 1st floor can only be reached by stairs. The stairlift is currently being refurbished, so the museum is currently not accessible to wheelchair users. Two tactile objects and hands-on stations also for blind and visually impaired people, tours for this group on request. Accessible toilet with changing table on the ground floor. Disabled parking: Bauernmarkt 6 and Tuchlauben 13.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Hands-on objects, replicas to touch and interactive stations appeal to children too. With a pushchair only the ground floor can be visited; there is a storage area in the cloakroom. Changing table on the ground floor. Free admission under 19.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle parking in front of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi: not available

Small selection of Vienna-related products at the ticket desk. Cloakroom (no liability) and lockers. Payment by cash or Bankomat card. Eating and drinking not permitted in the exhibition rooms. No Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit