Vienna
Permanent collection

Weltmuseum Wien: Exploring Global Cultures, Ethnographic Artifacts, and Austria's World Heritage

Delve into the museum's permanent exhibition to discover fascinating historical collections from diverse non-European cultures.

The Weltmuseum Wien invites you to journey through human history and cultural diversity, showcasing an extensive collection of ethnographic objects. Explore how Austria's global relations shaped its impressive holdings, including artifacts from Captain James Cook's expeditions and the renowned Mexican feather headdress. Its 14 thematic rooms reveal surprising connections between societies worldwide.

About Weltmuseum Wien at Burgtheater in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Weltmuseum Wien at Burgtheater in Vienna

Exhibition summary

The Weltmuseum Wien, located at Heldenplatz, presents a vast collection of ethnographic objects from across the globe, with highlights including artifacts from Captain James Cook's voyages and a renowned Mexican feather headdress. The museum explores humanity's cultural diversity and Austria's historical global relations through its extensive holdings.

Curatorial context

Housed in the Neue Burg on Heldenplatz, the Weltmuseum Wien is a leading institution for ethnology, housing over 250,000 ethnographic objects, 140,000 photographs, and 146,000 printed works. These collections predominantly stem from journeys undertaken by Habsburg archdukes, offering insights into the history, culture, art, and daily lives of peoples from diverse non-European cultures. The museum's highlights include parts of the collection from the British seafarer James Cook and the iconic Mexican feather headdress known as the 'Penacho'. The museum's permanent exhibition is organized into 14 thematic rooms that reveal surprising connections between Austria and the world. These rooms cover diverse topics such as 'In the Shadow of Colonialism,' 'Benin and Ethiopia Art, Power, Resistance,' '1873 - Japan comes to Europe,' 'Collector madness. "I suffer from museomania!"', and 'Stories from Mesoamerica,' which features the 'Penacho.' The exhibition utilizes 3,127 objects, along with numerous photographs and text panels, to explore themes of cultural diversity, historical relationships, and global interconnectedness. In addition to its permanent displays, the Weltmuseum Wien regularly hosts special exhibitions on various subjects.

Admission and ticket notes

The Weltmuseum Wien has specific opening hours, generally Tuesday to Sunday. Ticket information and potential discounts via the Vienna City Card are available. Further details on admission are usually found on the museum's official website.

Weltmuseum Wien key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Weltmuseum Wien at Burgtheater in Vienna

Venue
Burgtheater
Current status
Permanent collection
Exhibition schedule
Permanent display (no announced closing date)
Artist line / attribution
Information not currently available
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