The highlight of the Museum of Art History is its extensive Picture Gallery. The number of grand masters you’ll encounter is dazzling. You can see works by Raphael, Rubens, Bruegel and Titian among other greats. Also look for other treasures collected during the Habsburg Dynasty. Inspect Egyptian and other ancient antiquities before admiring some of the oldest coins in the world in the Coin Cabinet.
The KHM, or Kunsthistorischesmuseum (Museum of Art History) was built in 1891 for the purpose of housing the considerable art collection of the Habsburgs, the imperial rulers of Austria. Opposite the Ringstraße, a semi-circular building houses the Neue Burg (New Palace). On one side it is flanked by the Imperial Treasury and nearby is the Theseustempel. These buildings are all part of the KHM museum group. In 2013 the KHM reopened the Kunstkammer (Art Room) after nearly a decade of restorations.
Take in the exterior’s grand design. Then venture inside to discover the rich neo-Baroque decorations of this splendid museum before checking out the collections.
The Kunstkammer shows objects from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In the main gallery, view masterpieces like Raphael’s Madonna of the Meadow and Tintoretto’s Susanna and the Elders. The museum also contains the world’s largest collection of works by the Flemish Renaissance painter, Pieter Bruegel.
Once you’ve browsed the paintings, move on to the other fine art and history objects. The Armoury exhibit is one of the finest in Europe, while the Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections contain artifacts spanning a period of over 3,000 years. Don’t miss the most comprehensive coin collections in the world, with over 700,000 pieces including early examples of paper money.
The Kunsthistorischesmuseum on the Maria-Theresien-Platz, is located along the Ringstraße in central Vienna. It is best reached by taking public transportation or by walking from the city centre. The museum is open daily, except most Mondays and some public holidays, and stays open on Thursday evenings. The Neue Burg has more limited opening hours. Those 19 and older pay an admission fee.
