Discover the Furnishing of Vienna's Neue Burg: Nazi Museum Plans and Looted Art Exhibition 1940

This exhibition delves into the interior outfitting of the Neue Burg in 1940, specifically examining how its spaces were prepared for Nazi museum plans. It explores the lavish decorations, furnishings, and artworks, highlighting the controversial origins of many items, including those seized from persecuted individuals.

The exhibition 'Die Ausstattung der Neuen Burg – vollendet für NS-Museumspläne 1940' examines the interior completion and outfitting of the Neue Burg's central tract in 1940, a period marked by the Nazi regime's plans for the building. Despite the regime's takeover, the interior was still unfinished, and Hitler envisioned these halls as ideal exhibition spaces. The Kunsthistorisches Museum was granted control over the central staircase and halls, although their use for exhibitions was delayed by their initial function as a depot for storing and distributing confiscated art. The new museum spaces finally opened to the public on March 3, 1940, with two special exhibitions from the Kunsthistorisches Museum, coinciding with the transfer of state art collections to the Reichsgau Vienna, inaugurated by Gauleiter Josef Bürckel. Propaganda celebrated the "youngest art temple," praising the marble, rich decor, and the "noble" furnishings of the Neue Burg. Initial completion and furnishing works for the monumental staircase were commissioned in 1939. For Adolf Hitler's visit on the first anniversary of the 'Anschluss,' the staircase was adorned with tapestries, paintings, and chandeliers, and new carpets and fireplace grates were commissioned. Further representative rooms of the Neue Burg were furnished by 1940. The origin of these furnishings and artworks, however, was deliberately unmentioned. Some objects came from the furnishings depot, and chandeliers and wall appliques were transferred from Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces. Crucially, numerous furniture pieces and artworks were brought from private collections belonging to individuals who were persecuted and dispossessed as Jews, such as Alphons Rothschild. Evidence from index cards and the catalog of confiscations from the former central depot confirms the use of looted items in furnishing the Neue Burg.

The page mentions ticket selection for adult entry and annual passes, with prices indicated for annual passes. It also refers to group tickets for 10 or more people. Visitors are directed to add items to a shopping cart for purchase.