Brief information:
- Where is it located? Address: Arsenal 1, 1030 Vienna
- How much is the entrance fee? Here you can find all Prices.
- When is it open? Here you can find all Opening hours
- What is there to see? The history of the Austrian military from the 16th century to the present day.
- What are the highlights? The car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered in 1914 (which led to the First World War). Numerous companions from the 2nd World War
You can find a detailed description of the halls including photos in our blog.
The Museum of Military History is located in Vienna's 3rd district, not far from the Belvederes. The building itself has already made history, as it is the centrepiece of the Vienna Arsenal, a huge military building complex consisting of 72 buildings that was erected on the occasion of the 1848/49 revolution.
Today, the museum documents the history of the Austrian military from the 16th century to the present day. On display are military technology such as weapons, vehicles, military equipment and uniforms. Photographs, paintings and documents are also on display. The different eras are clearly organised in each room. One part of the museum is also dedicated to the history of the Austrian Navy, when Austria still had access to the sea.
Commander's Hall
You enter the museum in the Feldherrenhalle even before you have paid the entrance fee. The hall contains 56 full-length portrait statues of the "the most famous, everlasting emulation of worthy Austrian warlords and generals"as stated in the imperial resolution of 28 February 1863. At 186 cm, they are all the same height. The names and life dates of those depicted are displayed on panels above the figures. Celebrities such as Prince Eugene of Savoy and Emperor Maximilian I can be seen.
The beautiful staircase leads up to the first floor, where you enter the Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame
From the Feldherrenhalle, you walk up the stairs to the Hall of Fame. This hall is a highlight of the museum. The Hall of Fame is decorated with frescoes by Karl von Blaas and depicts the most important military events in Austria's history since the Babenberg dynasty.
You can find a detailed description of the other halls including photos in our blog.
Room I - From the Thirty Years' War to Prince Eugene (16th century-1700)
Hall II - Spanish War of Succession and Maria Theresa Hall (1701-1789)
Room III - Room of the Revolutions (1789-1848)
Room IV - Field Marshal Radetzky and his time (1848-1866)
Hall V - Franz Joseph Hall and Sarajevo (1867-1914)
Room VI - The First World War and the end of the Habsburg Monarchy (1914-1918)
Room VII - Republic and Dictatorship (1918-1945)
Room VIII - Maritime Power Austria
You can also see a Armoured hallwhich was unfortunately closed during our visit.
Conclusion: As small as Austria is today, there were a lot of wars with Austrian participation. Both the exhibits and the halls themselves are well worth seeing!