Places of Interest in Vienna

Museum of Ethnology (Museum für Völkerkunde)

Neue Burg, Heldenplatz, A-1010, Wien, Tel: 534 300, Website: www.ethno-museum.ac.at, U-Bahn: Volkstheater
The museum, which is dedicated to the promotion of other cultures and ethnic groupings, is one of the most prominent exponents of the genre in the world. As with many of the city’s cultural institutions, the collection is based upon items originally acquired by the Imperial family, in this case the prime benefactor was the Emperor Franz I.

Key attractions include the "Benin Bronzes", recovered during excavations in Benin at the end of the 19th century, the "James Cook Collection", which the famous navigator acquired during his voyages in the Pacific and around America, "Ancient Mexican Treasures", with objects dating back to the European exploration/conquest of the lands during the 16th century, and the "Natterer Collection" of items brought from Brazil by Austrian zoologist Johann Natterer over a period of eighteen years.