Kunsthistorisches Museum - KHM: Tickets

Kunsthistorisches Museum - KHM - Tickets and Visitor Information

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What is the Kunsthistorisches Museum?

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, usually known as the KHM, is one of Vienna's main art museums and houses the former collections of the Habsburg dynasty.

• The museum contains paintings, sculptures, ancient artefacts, decorative arts, coins and other historic objects.
• Its Picture Gallery is particularly well known for works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and Velázquez.
• Other major collections include Egyptian and Near Eastern antiquities, Greek and Roman antiquities and the Kunstkammer.
• The museum building on Maria-Theresien-Platz is also worth seeing, with its grand interior and paintings by Gustav Klimt in the main staircase.

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Quick Information

• ‍Address: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010, Vienna
• Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00 | Thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
• Suggested Visit Duration: 3-4 hours
• Kunsthistorisches Museum Ticket Options

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Is Kunsthistorisches Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy European art, ancient history or historic architecture.

• The museum is also a good choice if you want to see works by several major artists in one place.
• Bruegel, Vermeer, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and Velázquez are among the artists represented in the Picture Gallery.
• If you are mainly interested in ancient history, the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection and the Greek and Roman Antiquities are also worth allowing time for.

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What You Can See At Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum has several major collections, as well as temporary collections, so there is much more to see than just paintings:

• ‍Picture Gallery: The Picture Gallery contains works from the Renaissance, Baroque and other periods of European painting. Highlights include Pieter Bruegel the Elder's The Tower of Babel, Vermeer's The Art of Painting, Raphael's Madonna of the Meadow, works by Caravaggio and paintings by Rubens, Titian and Velázquez. The museum has one of the world's most important collections of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, including several of his best-known paintings.
• ‍Kunstkammer: The Kunstkammer contains around 2,200 objects collected by members of the Habsburg family. The collection includes objects made from gold, silver and ivory, as well as unusual materials such as ostrich eggs, coral and precious stones. One of its best-known objects is the famous Saliera, a gold and enamel salt cellar made by Benvenuto Cellini.
• ‍Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection: The collection covers thousands of years of history and includes sarcophagi, mummies, ancient objects and examples of Egyptian writing and religious culture.
• ‍Greek and Roman Antiquities: The collection contains around 2,500 objects spanning about 3,000 years. Highlights include ancient cameos, Roman and Greek vases, mosaics, sculptures and the famous Gemma Augustea.
• ‍The Museum Building: The Kunsthistorisches Museum was built as part of Vienna's Ringstrasse development in the late 19th century. The building was designed by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer and stands opposite the Natural History Museum, which was built as its architectural twin. Inside, the grand staircase is decorated with paintings by Gustav Klimt and other artists. The museum building is an important part of the visit, even before you reach the galleries.

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About Kunsthistorisches Museum - KHM

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the KHM in Vienna is one of the most important art museums in the world. It was established in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, and was designed to house the extensive art collection of the Habsburg dynasty, who were one of the richest families in the country, as well as being a long serving ruling family through multiple generations.

The museum is on the famous Ringstraße boulevard, near the Natural History Museum, MuseumsQuartier and the Hofburg Palace, which is home to the Spanish Riding School. The building itself is also a masterpiece, having been designed in a Renaissance Revival style by architects Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer.

Highlights Include:

• Peter Paul Rubens’ "The Four Continents"
• Vermeer’s "The Art of Painting"
• Raphael’s "Madonna of the Meadow"
• Bruegel the Elder’s "The Tower of Babel"
• Caravaggio's "David with Goliath's Head", "Crowning of Thorns"

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