Weltmuseum Wien

The Weltmuseum Wien – formerly the Museum of Ethnology – houses comprehensive collections of ethnographic objects, historical photographs, and books on non-European civilisations, making it one of the leading ethnographic museums in the world. Its roots can be traced back to the year 1806, when the “Imperial and Royal Ethnographic Collection” was established as part of the Imperial Natural History Cabinet after the partial acquisition of the “Cook Collection”. The continuously growing collection

The new Weltmuseum Wien presents itself as a venue for connecting cultures and people in unique fashion. As such, the museum is dedicated to the cultural diversity of humankind and strives to document the diverse historical ties between Austria and the world in its collections from all around the globe.

From 1876, the vastly growing collections were managed by the Anthropological-Ethnographic Department of the Natural History Museum of Vienna. 1928 was finally the year of the establishment of the museum of ethnology in the Hofburg Palace. In 2013 the name of the ethnological museum was changed to Weltmuseum Wien.

Just as in many other ethnographic museums all around the world, it is necessary for the Weltmuseum Wien to take a critical look into its own past in order to shape its future. In the course of the last few centuries, some of what can today be admired in our exhibitions was collected under somewhat questionable circumstances. It is, therefore, all the more important for us to have an open dialogue, are self-critical and see ourselves as a forum in which as many voices as possible should be heard.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility

The main entrance of the Museum is accessible without steps by using the platform lift. The special exhibition area on the Ground Floor and the galleries of the permanent exhibition on the Mezzanine Floor are also accessible without steps via lift.

The event area is also barrier-free. Please inform us and our visitor service will accompany you to the event area (contact via intercom terminal at the entrance to the WMW Forum and at the Ticket Office).

Café & Shop
Both the cook café & bistro and the WMW Shop in the Hall of Columns are fully accessible via lift.

Restrooms:
There are accessible toilets next to the cook café & bistro on the Ground Floor, at the entrance to the gallery In the Shadow of Colonialism on the Mezzanine Floor, and in the event area.

HOW TO REACH

Getting there
The Weltmuseum Wien is located on one of the central locations of the city, the Heldenplatz, and is housed in the Corps de Logis of the Neue Hofburg.

Subway
U2: Volkstheater station (exit „Ring“)
U3: Volkstheater station (exit „Ring“)

Street car
D, 1, 2, 71: Burgring station
46, 49: Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring station

Bus
48A: Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring station
57A: Burgring station

Parking
The Museum is located in the inner city with hardly any parking areas in a short-term parking zone for which you require a prepaid parking voucher. The closest underground car park is located at the MuseumsQuartier (Museumsplatz 1).

ADMISSION

It's all about people.

Adults: € 12
Reduced * € 9

*Valid for students up to age 25, senior citizens over 65 or on presentation of a valid pensioners´ ID, challenged people, military and community service conscripts, unemployed persons on presentation of the respective ID. Also applies to kids in school groups.

Free Admission*

*Free admission is valid for teens under the age of 19 years, “Kulturpass” holders and ICOM-Card holders on presentation of a valid ID.

Free admission for Mexican citizens after showing the passport, empowered by Telekom Austria.