Kunsthistorisches Museum

• The Habsburg Legacy: Kunsthistorisches Museum houses the private collections of the Habsburg Dynasty, one of the most powerful royal families in European history.
• The Emperor’s Vision: The Museum was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I and opened in 1891. Unlike many museums that are converted palaces, this was custom-built specifically to showcase the Imperial treasures.
• Architectural Mirror: It sits on Maria-Theresien-Platz, facing its “twin,” the Natural History Museum. The two buildings are nearly identical on the outside, representing the union of Art and Science.

Home to the legends of European art, this gallery showcases world-famous works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio. It is most celebrated for housing the world’s premier collection of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Experience a rare opportunity to view 12 of his original panel paintings in one place—a spectacular portfolio that defines the Dutch Golden Age and remains a cornerstone of the museum’s global prestige.

💡 Did you know? There are only about 40 surviving paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in the world—meaning nearly one-third of his entire life’s work is right in Vienna!

Discover a “museum within a museum” filled with the strange and spectacular. The Kunstkammer is a mesmerizing collection of curiosities from across the centuries, featuring mechanical marvels, mysterious clockwork machines, and artifacts made from rare materials like coral and ostrich eggs. Marvel at the precision of master goldsmiths and explore a gallery where art meets the magic of the early modern world.

Descend into a world of pharaohs and gods. This collection is one of the world’s most important for Egyptian antiquities, housed in spectacular rooms featuring monolithic columns and authentic wall paintings. The centerpiece is the Mastaba of Kaninisut, an original Egyptian offering chapel from 2,400 BC that was transported from Giza and painstakingly reconstructed here. From mysterious mummies to intricate sarcophagi, explore 4,000 years of history in a setting that feels like a living tomb.

Discover one of the world’s premier collections of classical art.

The Collection: Over 2,500 objects on permanent display, featuring Roman portraits, Greek vases, and gold treasures from the early Middle Ages.

The Stars: The Gemma Augustea (one of the largest and most famous Roman cameos) and the Youth of Magdalensberg.

Step into one of the five largest coin collections in the world. Spanning three grand halls, the Coin Cabinet tells the story of humanity through its currency. Marvel at over 600,000 objects, including rare ancient coins, massive gold medals of the Habsburgs, and even paper money from across the globe. It is a glittering timeline of power, art, and the history of the world’s economy.