Places of Interest in Vienna

Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum)

Maria-Theresien-Platz, A-1010, Wien, Tel: 525 240, Website: www.khm.at, U-Bahn: Volkstheater

The main building of the Art History Museum is almost an exhibit on its own right. Commissioned by the Habsburgs to house their huge collection of art and antiquities - which had been originally been started by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm - the beautiful interior makes for a lovely setting in which to display items (without doubt, they also rank among the world’s finest). The building itself was designed by architects Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer with construction starting in 1872. Taking some nineteen years to complete, much of the time was spent on the impressive, opulent interior. Contributors to this beautiful work included the notable Austrian artists Hans Makart and Gustav Klimt.

The collections housed here are the Picture Gallery, Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection, Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Collection of Sculpture and Decorative Arts and Coin Cabinet.

The Picture Gallery contains superb works by some of the world’s most famous and inspirational artists. Of particular note are paintings by Pieter Bruegel (including our own particular favourite, the "Tower of Babel"), Titan, Canaletto, Rubens and Poussin. The collection is grouped into:

Italy 15th and 16th centuries, Italy 17th & 18th centuries, Netherlands 15th century, Netherlands 16th century, Flanders 17th century, Holland 17th century, Germany, Spain and France

The Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection contain a large number of artefacts from the Egyptian "Old Kingdom", including statues, sarcophagii and stone engravings. Austrians have a fine tradition in archaeology, so it’s fitting that the collection also includes important finds made in Southern Arabia by Austrian explorer Eduard Glaser.

The Greek and Roman Antiquities section houses fine examples of Greek and Mycenaean Art dating back to 2000 BC. These include ornate figures, amphorai, vases and sculptures. The Roman exhibits are equally impressive, with fine statues, busts, mosaics and intricate jewellery.

The Collection of Sculpture and Decorative Arts is closed until March 2004, although some of the museum’s most important exhibits can been viewed in temporary accommodation within the Picture Gallery. Exhibits include ornate decorative globes, clocks, curios and tapestries.

The Coin Cabinet draws upon a collection of more than 700,000 items dating back to the days of Ancient Greece. Of course, while coins form the major part of the exhibition, visitors can also cast their eyes over bank notes and medals.

Once you’ve made your way around the exhibitions, there’s no better way to appreciate the building’s architectural beauty than by stopping off for refreshments in the museum café (situated in the domed hall, with confectionery supplied by the famous Gerstner Konditorei).

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