Sigmund Freud Museum

About the museum

Sigmund Freud moved to the newly erected house Berggasse 19 in the 9th district in 1891. For almost half a century he lived here with his family and received patients; here he developed psychoanalysis. After the 'Anschluss' in 1938, Freud had to flee to London with his daughter Anna. The Nazis then used the rooms as a collection apartment for Jewish people before their deportation; four of Freud's sisters were murdered.

The Sigmund Freud Museum opened in 1971 in the former living and practice rooms in the presence of Anna Freud. Since Freud was able to take the furnishings including the famous couch to London, Vienna shows primarily documents, photographs and selected objects such as parts of his antiques collection. Beginning in 1989 with an installation by Joseph Kosuth, a collection of contemporary art was assembled, now presented in the former first practice.

Since 2003 the Sigmund Freud Foundation has operated the house; in 2006 the City of Vienna donated the entire building to the foundation. After comprehensive renovation, the museum reopened in August 2020 with significantly expanded space: for the first time the family's private living rooms are also accessible. The museum includes one of Europe's largest specialized libraries on psychoanalysis; over 100,000 guests visit annually.

Highlights

• Original preserved room structure of Freud's apartment and practice
• Personal items such as Freud's hat and travel suitcase
• Contemporary art collection with works by Joseph Kosuth, Franz West and John Baldessari
• Library of psychoanalysis
• Montessori toys from Anna Freud's kindergarten

Permanent exhibitions

• Freud, Berggasse 19 – In the mezzanine, the exhibition guides through Freud's life, family life and work and links them with the history of the preserved rooms to contemporary psychoanalysis.
• Verborgene Gedanken visueller Natur – In Freud's first practice on the ground floor, the museum displays works from its contemporary art collection, including works by Joseph Kosuth, Franz West and Ilya Kabakov.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Sigmund Freud Privatstiftung

Director

Monika Pessler

Visitors per year

approx. 106,315 (2017)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of Friends of Sigmund Freud Museum and with Lower Austria CARD and Vienna PASS (not for tours). Journalists free after accreditation.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

All museum rooms are barrier-free except gallery and new staircase (contents available online). Exhibition content in simple language; sign language tours and tours for visually impaired available on request, as well as workshops for people with dementia. Contact: e.kleinschwaerzer@freud-museum.at, +43 1 319 15 96-18.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free program 'Freud for the Little Brats' for 5- to 12-year-olds: with a plan children search for ten audio stations with child-friendly poems and collect stickers. Gallery and new staircase not accessible with strollers.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café with coffee and beverages mainly from Vienna plus homemade cakes (also vegan and gluten-free). Shop in foyer, also without admission. Backpacks and large bags must be checked.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 80 guests.

In the Library of Psychoanalysis: reading room for up to 80 people (theater seating), Turnheim room and seminar room for workshops and meetings; catering from museum café possible. Contact: e.kleinschwaerzer@freud-museum.at.

Plan your visit