Kaiserliche Wagenburg Wien

About the museum

For centuries, horse and carriage were a central means of courtly self-presentation: at coronations, weddings and processions, the Habsburgs appeared in magnificent coaches designed by court artists. Until 1918, the Viennese court's fleet comprised over 600 vehicles, from Baroque state coaches to freight carts, and around 350 horses, administered by the Office of the Master of the Horse in the Court Stables on the site of today's MuseumsQuartier.

After the end of the monarchy, many carriages were auctioned off, handed over to successor states or continued to be used in a state carriage service. When this was dissolved in 1922, the Kunsthistorisches Museum took over the historically significant vehicles together with harnesses and liveries and installed them in the former Winter Riding School of Schönbrunn Palace. In 1947, the Wagenburg became an independent collection of the museum with its own management.

Today the Imperial Carriage Museum belongs to the KHM-Museumsverband. The collection has grown to around 170 vehicles; to these are added riding equipment from the Rich Saddle Room, uniforms and liveries from the Uniform Depot, as well as paintings and graphic works. Loans such as coaches of the House of Thurn and Taxis and the last surviving court automobile by Gräf & Stift complement the holdings. Since 2008, a dedicated tour has followed the life of Empress Elisabeth, from her bridal carriage via dresses and her saddle to the black hearse.

Highlights

• Imperial Coach, the most magnificent coach of the Viennese court
• Sisi Trail with carriages, dresses and the saddle of Empress Elisabeth
• Black hearse of the imperial family
• Children's carriages and sleighs of the imperial family
• Court automobile by Gräf & Stift from 1914
• Liveries and uniforms from the Uniform Depot

Permanent exhibitions

• Sisi-Pfad – A tour through the life of Empress Elisabeth by way of her carriages, dresses and personal items such as her saddle, from the wedding to the funeral.
• Hof-Wagenburg – Vehicles from the former fleet of the Viennese court, from Baroque state coaches via travel, sports and children's carriages to sleighs and sedan chairs.

Operated by

KHM-Museumsverband

Director

Monica Kurzel-Runtscheiner

Admission & discounts

Online prices: regular €12, reduced €9; at the ticket desk €14 and €12 respectively. With Vienna City Card €13. Free admission with Kulturpass ("Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur") and ICOM card. Tickets are tied to the date and time slot and are non-exchangeable; length of stay is unlimited.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Main entrance with a 3 cm step and double door (active leaf 68 cm), exhibition area on the ground floor accessible; the area on the 1st floor can only be reached by stairs. Accessible toilet with Euro key outside the Wagenburg. Assistance animals allowed; loan wheelchairs and folding stools subject to availability or with reservation at least 2 days in advance via guestservice@khm.at.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Saturday overview tour is designed as a family tour for young and old; private children's tours (up to 13 children, 50 or 90 minutes) on topics such as Sisi or travel in earlier times. The children's carriages of the imperial family can also be seen.

Getting there & parking

The Wagenburg is located on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace. From the Hauptbahnhof take the U1 to Karlsplatz, then the U4 to Hietzing.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check: not available
• Lockers

No cloakroom for bulky luggage; backpacks can be stored in lockers.

Events & venue rental

The KHM-Museumsverband offers exclusive viewings of the Wagenburg as part of its event offerings (event@khm.at).

Plan your visit