See Viennese Royal Treasures in the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Art History Museum ("Kunsthistorisches Museum" in German) in Vienna is much more exciting than its name and stately appearance suggest. The museum offers more than paintings, though there are some notable works by Brueghel and Valazquez. The building primarily serves as a home for the bulk of the art collection owned by one of the prominent ruling families of Austria, the Hapsburgs. Items from the collection date back to 2,000 BC.
The Egyptian, Greek, and Roman exhibits are exceptional. The Egyptian rooms contain hieroglyph-covered stone fragments from pyramids, including a small pyramid simulation room that visitors can walk into. Other Egyptian highlights include ancient mummified pets and sarcophagi. The Greek exhibit features numerous stone busts of important citizens from Greek history, including Julius Caesar. In fact an entire room is devoted to a collection of the busts, which range from young boys and girls to emporers in their prime. The room of Roman jewelry is also not to be missed. The pendants, necklaces, earrings, and other vibrantly colored and detailed decorations are a visual treat.
In addition to the regular exhibits, the museum hosts a temporary special exhibit. Currently featured is a vast collection of intricately carved ivory ("Elfenbein" in German) ornaments and showpieces, most of which were owned by royalty. The interior of the museum itself is also visually stimulating, with ornate and elegant curves and coloring. The main staircase is decorated with playful frescoes, while a graceful dome creates a wealth of space overhead.
The general admission price for the museum is 10 euros and the entrance can be easily reached by taking the U2 or U3 metro line to the Volkstheater stop. For more information, visit www.khm.at/.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Maria-Theresien Platz
Burgring 5
1st district
Hours: Tues.-Wed. & Fri.-Sat. 10am-6pm; Thurs. 10am-9pm (closed May 1 & Nov. 1)
Phone: 52 524-403/404
