The Weltmuseum Wien (World Museum Vienna) is located in the complex of the Imperial Palace, more precisely in the Corps de Logis ("residential wing") of the Neue Burg. It is one of the most important museums of ethnology in the world. In its possession are over 250,000 ethnographic objects, 140,000 historical photographs and 146,000 printed works on the history, culture, art and everyday lives of mostly non-European peoples. Many of the museum's exhibits come from the many journeys undertaken by the Habsburg archdukes. Other highlights: Parts of the collection of the British seafarer James Cook (1728-1779) and a world-famous feather headdress from Mexico (called "Penacho").

The Weltmuseum Wien (World Museum Vienna) shows objects from every continent. It deals with the cultural diversity of humanity and impressively documents Austria's rich historic relations with the world.

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14 display rooms

The heart of the museum is the show collection with its contemporary concept and modern design. A sequence of fourteen rooms present the central exhibits. With the aid of 3,127 objects as well as numerous photos and text panels, often surprising connections between Austria and the world are revealed. The rooms are arranged into the following topic areas:

• In the Shadow of Colonialism
• Benin and Ethiopia Art, Power, Resistance
• "Kulturkampf" in Vienna
• An Austrian mosaic of Brazil
• 1873 - Japan comes to Europe
• Collector madness. "I suffer from museomania!" (O-tone archduke heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand)
• South Sea: Encounters with Paradise Lost
• The Orient on the Doorstep
• Stories from Mesoamerica (with the feather headdress "Penacho")
• A Village in the Mountains (Buddhist village in the Himalayas)
• Fascinated by Indonesia
• World in Movement
• To a New World
• The new perception - The view of China

In addition to the permanent exhibition in the 14 halls, special exhibitions on various topics are held on a regular basis.

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New tour: "House of Habsburg" 

An exciting audio guide tour with 20 stops through the Weltmuseum Wien, the Collection of Arms and Armor and the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments tells the story of the rise and fall of the Habsburgs. Starting in the Middle Ages, various objects (e.g. armor, musical instruments, paintings and much more) are used to tell the 650-year history of the Austrian imperial family's rule up to 1918. The route leads through the Neue Hofburg, the newest wing of the Hofburg complex. This imperial residence was built for Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi on Heldenplatz, but was never occupied due to the abolition of the monarchy in 1918.

The tour is available in ten languages. The tour starts at the Weltmuseum Wien. Further information can be found here.

© Daniel Auer