The Theater Museum, located in the historic Palais Lobkowitz, houses extensive collections on all aspects of performing arts, including costumes, stage designs, and photographs. Currently closed for renovation until autumn 2026, it is one of the world's most significant documentation centers for theater.
The Theater Museum, situated in the magnificent 17th-century Baroque Palais Lobkowitz, is a premier institution dedicated to the performing arts. Its vast collection encompasses over 1,000 stage models, 600 costumes and props, more than 100,000 drawings and graphics, and over 700,000 theater photographs, making it one of the largest and most important documentation centers of its kind globally. The museum showcases a wide array of items from spoken and musical theater, dance, film, and puppetry, with a focus on contemporary Austrian and international stage art. A notable highlight is Gustav Klimt's iconic painting 'Nuda Veritas' from 1899, displayed in a dedicated room alongside works by his contemporaries. The palace itself, also known as the Eroicasaal, has historical significance, having hosted early performances of Beethoven's works. Due to extensive renovation work, the museum's exhibitions are suspended until autumn 2026, though the palace remains open for events during this period.