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Places of Interest in Vienna
Historical Museum of the City of Vienna (Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien)
Karlsplatz, A-1040, Wien, Tel: 505 87470, Website: www.museum.vienna.at, U-Bahn: Karlsplatz
This excellent museum, spread out across three floors, gives visitors a detailed picture of the history and development of Vienna and should be treated as a "must see" for anyone wanting to learn about the city. With some of the exhibits dating back to Roman times (when the Legions created a fortified camp and named it Vindobona) other items relate to the two sieges of Vienna by the Turks, first in 1529 and later in 1683. On the first floor, you’ll also find an intricate model showing the layout of Vienna within the massive fortifications created to protect the city from attack (these were subsequently pulled down in 1857 as the city expanded).
The second floor houses a number of items from the Biedermeier era including furniture and works of art, while elsewhere, other exhibits give a flavour of life in Vienna during the turbulent period in 1848, as revolutionary fervour spread throughout mainland Europe. In addition, works of art by influential Viennese artists Hans Makart and Gustav Klimt are also displayed.
The displays round off with a number of items from the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth century, while an exhibition space (behind the ticket office) often hosts interesting temporary displays. Discount entry with a Vienna Card.
