What’s the story behind the museum's massive Diplodocus skeleton?

The Diplodocus, a 27-meter-long fossil and **one of the first nearly complete dinosaur skeletons**, has been a symbol of the museum's dedication to preserving Earth's natural history since the 20th century.

Did the museum always have such vast collections?

No, in the 18th century, the museum only showcased the rare natural history items collected by the imperial family. Over time, as scientific research became more robust, its collection grew to **over 30 million specimens**, largely due to the efforts of the Habsburgs and their global expeditions.

What rare exhibits are hidden within the museum?

In addition to its famous dinosaur exhibits, the Natural History Museum houses lesser-known treasures like the **Hraschina meteorite**, which revealed the Widmanstätten patterns, and an ancient taxidermy collection, including the last known Dodo specimen.

What’s the connection between the museum's architecture and the Ringstraße project?

The Natural History Museum was designed as part of Vienna’s **Ringstrasse**, a monumental urban development project initiated by **Emperor Franz Joseph I** in the late 19th century. It was strategically placed alongside the **Kunsthistorisches Museum** to reinstate the Habsburgs’ dual focus on art and science.

How did the museum manage to preserve its collections during World War II?

During World War II, much of the museum's priceless collections were stored in **underground bunkers and other safe locations across Vienna**. Despite the war’s devastation, the museum’s efforts to protect its artifacts ensured that many of its collections were preserved for future generations.

Is there any hidden meaning in the statues and frescoes inside the museum?

The **marble statues** of famous scientists like **Galileo**, **Newton**, and **Darwin** honor key contributors to our understanding of the natural world, while the ceiling **frescoes** reflect the Habsburg belief that scientific advancements were essential to maintaining the empire’s strength and cultural influence.

What’s the most recent addition to the museum's exhibits?

The museum’s **newest exhibits** focus on interactive displays and cutting-edge research, especially in the fields of **human evolution** and **climate change**. One notable addition is the **Terror Bird** exhibit, featuring a life-sized model of a massive, extinct bird, offering a glimpse into the prehistoric world in a highly engaging way.

Natural History Museum Vienna | 130 Years of Discovery

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

971000

TICKETS

From $21.33

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

2001

Did you know?

Home to over 30 million species: The museum boasts one of the largest collections of natural history in the world, spanning everything from dinosaurs and minerals to meteoritic specimens that are billions of years old.

The oldest known prehistoric sculpture: The Venus of Willendorf, a 29,500-year-old figurine, is one of the world’s most important archaeological finds and a standout in the museum’s extensive collection of prehistoric artifacts.

A meteorite collection like no other: The museum houses the world’s largest public meteorite display, featuring over 1,100 specimens, including the famous Hraschina meteorite, which played a key role in proving that meteorites come from space.

From dinosaurs to meteorites | Your guide to the Natural History Museum’s galleries

Gemstone and Mineral collection (Halls 1 to 4)

Marvel at the opulent Gemstone Bouquet crafted from thousands of gems, plus glittering displays of rare quartz, emeralds, and sapphires, including an enormous Florentine Diamond replica.

Mineralogy and Crystals (Hall 2)

Admire the stunning quartz, amethyst, and topaz crystals, alongside some of Austria's most spectacular geological treasures, each one sparkling with natural beauty.

Meteorite collection (Hall 5)

Featuring the historic Hraschina meteorite and over 1,100 specimens from space, this gallery offers a rare chance to touch rocks older than Earth, including Mars and Moon meteorites.

Dinosaur Hall (Hall 10)

Home to a towering Diplodocus skeleton, this section showcases some of the most complete dinosaur fossils, including Stegosaurus and a moving, roaring Allosaurus model that brings the Mesozoic era to life.

Human Origins and Prehistory (Halls 11 to 13)

Learn about the Venus of Willendorf, a 29,500-year-old fertility figurine, alongside ancient human tools, Neanderthal artifacts, and casts of prehistoric footprints that offer a glimpse into early life.

Fossil Hall (Hall 15)

Step back in time with marine reptile fossils, ancient trilobites, and ammonites, offering a fascinating look at life millions of years before dinosaurs.

The Ice Age (Hall 16)

Encounter the majestic woolly mammoth, saber-toothed cats, and prehistoric human tools that tell the story of survival in the frozen world of the Ice Age.

The World of Mammals (Hall 23)

See the impressive woolly mammoth skeleton, alongside life-size models of elephants, tigers, and a polar bear, illustrating the diverse range of mammals from past and present.

Insects and Arthropods (Hall 24)

Get up close to the largest collection of butterflies, beetles, and spiders, including the enormous Japanese Spider Crab, a true marvel of the arthropod world.

Zoology and Taxidermy (Halls 25 to 39)

Explore lifelike taxidermy displays of lions, giraffes, and the extinct Dodo, plus the stunningly preserved Ganges Gharial and Japanese Spider Crab with legs spanning over 3 meters.

Birds of the World (Halls 27 to 29)

View over 300 species, from majestic eagles to vibrant parrots and extinct species like the Passenger Pigeon, all meticulously preserved in their natural habitats.

Fish and Aquatic Life (Hall 30)

Dive into the world of sharks, ray-finned fish, and the extinct Steller’s Sea Cow, with fossilized and taxidermied specimens showcasing aquatic life through the ages.

Must-see exhibits

Venus of Willendorf

The Venus of Willendorf, a 29,500-year-old limestone figurine, is renowned for its exaggerated fertility features and symbolizes ancient fertility rituals, offering a powerful connection to our distant ancestors.

Hraschina Meteorite on display at Natural History Museum Vienna.

Glowing gemstone exhibit at Natural History Museum Vienna.

Diplodocus skeleton exhibit at Natural History Museum Vienna.

Natural History Museum Vienna bird exhibit with taxidermy specimens and informational display.

A glimpse into the past

Inside view of the Natural History Museum in Vienna

1748: Emperor Franz I purchases a vast natural history collection from Florentine scholar Johann Ritter von Baillou.
1817 to 1835: An Austrian scientific expedition to Brazil collects over 133,000 specimens, significantly enriching the museum's holdings.
1851 to 1876: Emperor Franz Joseph I oversees the reorganization and expansion of the museum collections.
1871 to 1881: Construction of the new museum building on Vienna's Ringstrasse takes place under the architects Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer.
1889 (August 10): Emperor Franz Joseph I inaugurates the museum, officially named the ‘Imperial-Royal Natural History Court Museum’.
1926: The ethnographic collection is separated and relocated to form the basis of the Museum of Ethnology.
2013 (January): The museum unveils newly designed anthropology galleries, offering modern exhibits on human evolution.
2020: Katrin Vohland becomes the museum's general director, leading its scientific and administrative efforts.

The Habsburg legacy

In the mid-19th century, the Habsburgs understood the need for a monumental institution that would reinforce their legacy as patrons of science and culture. Emperor Franz I, alongside Maria Theresa, spearheaded the collection of rare and invaluable items such as fossils, minerals, and taxidermy specimens gathered from global expeditions. His vision was to create a space that not only celebrated natural history but also served as a symbol of imperial power and intellectual progress.

In 1871, the royal family commissioned architects Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer to design a grand building that would house these treasures. The resulting Neo-Renaissance structure embodies the Habsburgs’ love for opulence, featuring intricate frescoes, marble staircases, and elaborate ceilings, while embodying their belief that cultural and scientific advancement were key to their empire's strength.

A masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture

Beautiful ceiling at the Natural History Museum

The architecture of the Natural History Museum Vienna is a striking example of the Neo-Renaissance style, with a symmetrical and monumental design that emphasizes balance and harmony.
The building’s façade is adorned with grand marble columns, intricate sculptures, and statues of renowned figures from the realms of science and history, highlighting its cultural significance.
Inside, the museum features sweeping marble staircases, elegant frescoes on the ceilings, and towering statues, all coming together to evoke a sense of imperial opulence.
The 65-meter dome crowns the structure, offering both architectural grandeur and panoramic views of the city from its rooftop.
Light pours through large windows, illuminating the exhibits and enhancing the expansive galleries that guide visitors through its vast collections.
The use of classical motifs and proportionate design elements creates a sense of order, reinforcing the museum’s role as a beacon of knowledge and culture.