Vienna
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Experience the Rich History of Vienna's Wurstelprater at the Prater Museum

Explore the fascinating evolution of Vienna's iconic amusement park through unique exhibits and historical accounts.

The Prater Museum, now in a larger sustainable timber building, celebrates over 250 years of Vienna's Wurstelprater amusement park. Discover an extensive collection of artifacts, figures from Ringelspiel, early slot machines, and historical photographs. Visitors can delve into its role as a learning place, its cinematic history, and significance during the 1873 Vienna World's Fair. The foyer also features a distinctive hidden object painting by artist Olaf Osten.

About Prater Museum at Am Hof Square in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Prater Museum at Am Hof Square in Vienna

Exhibition summary

The Prater Museum, located near Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel, recounts the 250-year history of the Wurstelprater amusement park. Its new, larger space in a sustainable timber building showcases numerous artifacts, figures, and stories that define this historic Viennese landmark.

Curatorial context

The Prater Museum celebrates the rich and eventful past of Vienna's Wurstelprater, a landmark amusement park with over 250 years of history. Recently relocated to a new, three-story building designed with sustainability in mind, the museum offers twice the space to display its extensive collection. Visitors can discover a multitude of objects that chronicle the park's evolution, including figures from Ringelspiel and Punch and Judy shows, parts of rides, early slot machines, plans, models, photographs, and admission tickets. Iconic exhibits like the 'Watschenmann' (a strength gauge), the figure of Fortuna, and a matchmaking machine are on display. The museum also delves into the Prater's role as a place of learning, its history of hosting exotic animals, and its significance as a backdrop for films like 'The Third Man' and 'Before Sunrise'. A special focus is given to the Vienna World's Fair of 1873, which took place on the Prater grounds. The foyer features a large hidden object painting by Olaf Osten, bringing together historical figures and personalities who shaped Vienna and the Prater.

Admission and ticket notes

Tickets are available on site and online. Standard admission is €8, with a reduced price of €6. Admission is free for young people under 19. On the first Sunday of the month, admission is free. Special opening hours apply on December 24 and December 31. Winter break starts November 1, 2026. Discounted tickets can be purchased via the provided link: https://shop.wienmuseum.at/en/tickets/ticket-locations Vienna City Card offers a 25% discount on admission for this attraction.

Prater Museum key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Prater Museum at Am Hof Square in Vienna

Venue
Am Hof Square
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Mar 1, 2024
Artist line / attribution
The foyer features a large hidden object painting by artist Olaf Osten.
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