Bizarre and unique museum experiences in Vienna

03.02.2021

Bizarre, funny, spooky - or simply totally unexpected and Viennese. The museums in Vienna don’t just offer a wide range of renowned museums in terms of art and culture – just to name a few: Belvedere, Kunsthistorisches Museum or Albertina – you can also find many extraordinary museums. Where else in the world, if not in Vienna, where the morbid is part of the Viennese soul, should one find a "funeral museum", a "torture museum" or a "criminal museum"?

Coffee Museum, Furniture Museum, Dental Museum, Sisi Museum, Forger's Museum or the Wine Museum? All of these belong to Vienna just like the National Library, Schönbrunn Palace, Gustav Klimt and Otto Wagner. How spooky or how Viennese would you like your trip to be?

Fear and horror in old Vienna   

A certain tendency towards morbidity has always been said to be a characteristic of the Viennese. It may stem from the old bloodthirsty Viennese legends or the typical Viennese "Raunzen" (to grizzle), the death cult of the "Pompfüneberer" (a "uniformed mortician" in Vienna) or the "Grantigsein" (being grumpy) without reason - not only in old Vienna was this weakness honored. But even in the Vienna of today one can still be convinced of these weaknesses in some museums.

Statue of Lady Justice

For the brave and courageous ones

Vienna and its morbid museums

Vienna has the dubious reputation of being the most morbid city in the world. Well, no matter how much truth there may be behind it: the museums can definitely keep up with it.

Discover now

Of course Vienna can be curious. 

The Viennese have always loved curiosities and the display of such extraordinary things to amaze, probably just as much as the morbid in everyday life. You can go on a guided tour on the traces of this hidden Vienna, or choose one or the other curious museum.

Magic Box Museum | © Manfred Klaghofer

Peculiar museums with entertainment factor

Marvel and smile. 

It is not uncommon to find curious glimpses of everyday life in Vienna - even if you just stroll around a little - such as a backyard or a hidden passageway. Some museums also offer unusual insights and views.

Discover now
©Manfred Klaghofer

Vienna in a nutshell

Typical Viennese stories, souvenirs and peculiarities are also deeply rooted in many a Viennese museum. But museums are also dedicated to famous personalities such as Empress Elisabeth or the men of the Strauss dynasty ("The Danube Waltz"). Or take a look where Gustav Klimt spent the last years of his life painting, living and loving.
 

Michaelerplatz | © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. - Severin Wurnig

Viennese stories at the Museum

Unique and charming – just like the city. 

Every visitor to Vienna takes home one or the other souvenir. And souvenirs are memories - even of local, typical museums.
 

Discover now
©Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. - Severin Wurnig
hotels: Hotel Europa Wien, Hotel Anatol, Hotel Doppio, Hotel Ananas, Hotel Bosei, Parkhotel Schönbrunn, Hotel Rathauspark Wien, Hotel Beim Theresianum, Hotel Schloss Wilhelminenberg, Hotel Savoyen Vienna, Hotel Maximilian

Autor

Angelika Mandler-Saul

Angelika Mandler-Saul, who grew up in the Weinviertel region in Lower Austria, is a travel blogger and freelance author. Since 2013 she has been writing about her experiences and impressions while travelling throughout the world on www.wiederunterwegs.com. Her focus: nature and culture. She is regularly accompanied by her sooty black labrador Coffee, who is also good for many stories.
Angelika is particularly fond of travelling in her native country Austria, bringing her love of Austrian history and literature, travelling and writing under one roof. Travelling with culture: that sums it up precisely.

more articles by the author

our newest tips

Art, Culture and design in the capital of indulgence

Theater, Architecture and Art - enjoy the diverse cultural landscape of Graz.

Read on   →

Prost, cheers and to your health in Salzburg

A drink after a sightseeing tour or a marathon meeting in Salzburg?

Read on   →

“Everybody waltz!”: the viennese ball etiquette.

Read our blog here to make sure that you do everything right at the ball.

Read on   →