Military History Museum Vienna: Journey through the military history of Austria
The Military History Museum in Vienna offers exciting insights into Austria's military history, from the early eras to the present day. The impressive exhibits, including historical weapons, uniforms and vehicles, tell the eventful history of the country and its army. The exhibits on the First and Second World Wars and the collection on the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy are particularly worth seeing. A must for history buffs and families who want to learn more about Austria's past.
brief information:
- Where is the Military History Museum? Address: Arsenal 1, 1030 Vienna
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Here you can find all prices.
- When is it open? Here you can find all opening hours
- What is there to see there? The history of the Austrian military from the 16th century to the present day.
- What are the highlights? The automobile in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered in 1914 (which led to World War I). Numerous vehicles from World War II.
The Military History Museum is located in Vienna’s 3rd district, not far from the BelvedereThe building itself has already made history, as it is the heart of the Vienna Arsenal, a huge military building complex consisting of 72 buildings that was built on the occasion of the revolution of 1848/49.
Today, the Military History Museum documents the History of Austrian military from the 16th century to the present. Military technology such as weapons, vehicles, military equipment and uniforms can be seen. Photographs, paintings and documents can also be seen. The different eras are clearly displayed in each room. A part of the museum is also dedicated to the history of the Austrian Navy, i.e. when Austria still had access to the sea.
Feldherrenhalle
You enter the museum in the Field Marshals’ Hall, even before you have paid the entrance fee. In the hall are 56 full-length portrait statues of the "most famous, everlasting emulation of worthy warlords and generals of Austria", as stated in the imperial resolution of February 28, 1863. At 186 cm, they are all the same height. The names and dates of birth and death of the people depicted are written on plaques above the figures. Famous people such as Prince Eugene of Savoy and Emperor Maximilian I can be seen.
The very beautiful staircase leads up to the first floor, where you enter the Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame
From the Field Marshals' Hall you go up the stairs to the Hall of Fame. This hall is a highlight of the Military History Museum. The Hall of Fame is decorated with frescoes by Karl von Blaas and shows the most important military events in the history of Austria since the Babenbergs.
Hall I – From the Thirty Years' War to Prince Eugene (16th century–1700)
The first room of the museum is dedicated to the history of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. The technical development of firearms can be traced from the 16th century arquebus to the matchlock, wheellock and flintlock musket. Some cutting, stabbing and thrusting weapons from the Thirty Years' War are also on display.
A special exhibit is Wallenstein's handwritten letter to his field marshal Gottfried Heinrich zu Pappenheim, dated November 15, 1632, which was written on the eve of the Battle of Lützen. Pappenheim died the following day. He had carried the letter with him, and traces of blood can still be seen on it today.
Furthermore, various utensils from the Turkish wars can be seen.
Hall II – War of the Spanish Succession and Maria Theresa Hall (1701–1789)
Here you can see the deeds of Prince Eugene. Among other things, you can see the ten-pound "Belgrade mortar" that destroyed an entire district of Belgrade in 1717 with a single shot into a Turkish powder magazine.
Hall III – Hall of Revolutions (1789–1848)
The Hall of Revolutions is characterized by Napoleon Bonaparte's battles at Austerlitz, Würzburg, Aspern, Deutsch-Wagram and Leipzig.
A highlight of the exhibition is the French war balloon "Intrépide" (= "the fearless"), which was captured by Austrian troops in the Battle of Würzburg on September 3, 1796. Also hidden in a display case is the coat of the Russian general Pavel Andreyevich Shuvalov, which Napoleon wore on his journey into exile on the island of Elba.
Hall IV – Field Marshal Radetzky and his time (1848–1866)
This room is dedicated to Josef Wenzel Radetzky von Radetz, who fought in the last Turkish war. He served under 5 emperors for 72 years and was involved in 17 campaigns, for which he received 146 domestic and foreign medals. One of the items on display is a field cannon from 1863.
We now go back down to the Ground floor.
Hall V – Franz Joseph Hall and Sarajevo (1867–1914)
In the Franz Joseph Hall, in addition to uniforms and guns, there are 34 uniform depictions of the Austro-Hungarian army painted by Oskar Brüch. Franz Joseph's uniform is also on display here.
A separate section is dedicated to an absolute highlight of the Military History Museum: The assassination attempt in Sarajevo, the directly triggered the First World War.
On display is the Gräf & Stift automobile in which the Austrian heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie Chotek were murdered on June 28, 1914. You can even still see traces of the two assassination attempts on the vehicle. These can also be seen on the Archduke's uniform, which can be seen as well as the chaise longue on which the heir to the throne succumbed to his injuries.
Also on display are the weapons used, including Browning M.1910/12 pistols and a Kragujevac system hand grenade.
Hall VI – The First World War and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy (1914–1918)
This exhibition has been on display on 3 levels since 2014. There are over 2,000 objects from the First World War, such as uniforms, weapons and equipment.
The highlight is an Austrian M.1916 siege howitzer with a caliber of 38 cm, which could fire shells weighing 750 kg over a distance of 15 km. Also worth seeing is the Albatros B.II reconnaissance aircraft.
Room VII – Republic and Dictatorship (1918–1945)
This room is dedicated to the history of the First Republic and the Second World War. Numerous infantry/army uniforms are on display. Numerous technical devices and vehicles are also on display, such as a BMW R 12 motorcycle, 8.8 cm anti-aircraft gun, the "Goliath" explosive tank, an assault rifle 44 and a VW jeep. Even airplanes are on display. Also interesting were the board games that were intended to make war more appealing to children.
Hall VIII – Naval Power Austria
Yes, it's hard to believe, but Austria was once a naval power. The exhibition shows the entire chronology from the creation of the first Danube flotilla to the end of the Austro-Hungarian Navy in 1918. Numerous oil paintings and ship models are on display.
The highlight here is the U-20 submarine tower. It is the only remaining fragment of an Austro-Hungarian submarine. You can also look into the tower via a platform.
There is also a tank hall to see here, but unfortunately it was closed during our visit.
Conclusion: As small as Austria is today, there were still a lot of wars in which Austria was involved. Both the exhibits and the halls themselves are well worth seeing!