Just opposite Vienna’s Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum) the city hosts another crown jewel, the Natural History Museum Vienna. Occupying more than 8,000 square meters of a 19th-century palatial building, the museum showcases over 100,000 objects across 39 exhibition rooms. Apart from displaying ancient relics and towering dinosaur skeletons, however, the museum hides remarkable and little-known facts.
The Historical Significance of Natural History Museum Vienna
The Museum (Naturgeschichtliches Museum) was founded on April 30, 1876, and officially opened on August 10, 1889. Its original collections belonged to Empress Maria Theresa’s husband Franz I Stephan, who acquired the largest and most renowned collection of natural objects from Florentine scholar Johann Ritter von Baillou in 1750.
Following Franz Stephan’s death, Maria Theresa entrusted the collections to the state, with mineralogist Ignaz Born cataloging over 30,000 items. It includes shells, corals, crabs, and fossils. In 1796, Emperor Franz II expanded the collection to include an animal catalog, while a plant catalog established in 1807 became state property in 1811.
The museum was organized into defined departments in 1857, underwent restructuring post-World War II, and became an independent scientific entity in 2002. The departments now include; Anthropology, History of Science, Pathological Anatomy, Environment and Ecology, and various zoological and botanical divisions.
A Majestic Building With a Twin
The museum itself features lavish marble halls, sweeping staircases, and intricate ceilings painted with scenes depicting the wonders of science and nature. And here’s the twist—directly across from the Natural History Museum sits its twin building, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History). Built in the late 19th century under Emperor Franz Joseph, the two museums were designed to mirror each other, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between art and science. Together, they form an impressive gateway to Vienna’s grand Ringstrasse boulevard, one of Europe’s most splendid urban ensembles.
Internal Structure and Exhibition Organization
The building's internal layout helps to systematically arrange exhibitions and departments.
Mezzanine Level Exhibits
Inanimate Nature
- Department: Mineralogy
- Halls: 1–5
Sediments & Early Life Traces
- Department: Geology & Paleontology
- Halls: 6–10
Early Human History
- Department: Prehistory
- Halls: 11–13
Human Evolution
- Department: Anthropology
- Halls: 14–15
First Floor Exhibits
Diversity of the Animal Kingdom
- Department: Zoological Departments
- Halls: 22–39
The World of Microorganisms
- Exhibit: "Microtheater"
- Hall: 21
The mezzanine features inanimate nature (Department of Mineralogy, Halls 1–5), sediments and early life traces from Earth's history (Department of Geology & Paleontology, Halls 6–10), early human history (Department of Prehistory, Halls 11–13), and human evolution (Department of Anthropology, Halls 14–15). The first floor showcases the vast diversity of the animal kingdom (Zoological Departments, Halls 22–39) along with the intriguing world of Earth's smallest organisms ("Microtheater," Hall 21).
The Museum's Ceiling Art
As you enter the grand staircase, The Cycle of Life expands just above your head. Across a 100-square-metre circle a man cloaked in red holds an hourglass, likely symbolizing Chronos, the god of time. Meanwhile, another human catches a catfish with a trident, while a vulture guards its prey and a few infants mingle with adult males and females.
The 19th-century fresco by Austrian painter Hans Canon depicts the rise and fall of humanity, illustrating the cycle of growth and mortality in human existence. It reflects the prevailing scientific perspective of the time - life is a struggle for survival.
What should you See at the Natural History Museum Vienna?
To put it simply, you may want to see everything. However, below is a breakdown of the exhibits and behind-the-scenes look at key highlights of Vienna’s Naturgeschichtliches Museum:
1. A 29,500-Year-Old Lady: The Venus of Willendorf
Her curves are famous, yet she is fragile: The Venus of Willendorf is undoubtedly the museum’s star resident. At 29,500 years of age, the tiny limestone figure represents one of the most famous ancient artifacts in the world. Discovered along the Danube River in the Wachau valley, scientists consider Venus the oldest representation of the human form. Venus' journey wasn’t always smooth — her delicate structure and age make her incredibly fragile, so she stands in a climate-controlled case and is rarely moved. Seeing her is like connecting with humanity’s ancient past!
2. Dinosaur Giants Hidden in Plain Sight
One of the museum’s biggest draws is its impressive dinosaur hall (Hall no. 10). This is where the museum reserves something special for kids in this Vienna museum. However, what most people don’t realize is that these skeletons aren’t just fossils; they mix real bones and expertly crafted replicas. You can see a life-sized model of a Pteranodon with a wingspan of 7 meters hanging from the ceiling. Other exhibition highlights include the skeleton of Archelon ischyros, the largest turtle to have ever existed, a female ichthyosaur with fossilized embryos, and several skeletons of pterosaurs.
The museum was one of the first in the world to display dinosaurs like the Allosaurus, and it’s renowned for its pioneering methods of reconstruction. In fact, paleontologists from around the globe visit Vienna to study these incredible displays. During my visit to the Museum, when I looked closely, I even spotted certain skeletal details that hint at where restorations have been made—a testament to the meticulous work that’s gone into creating these giants.
3. World’s Most Significant Meteorite Collection
Tucked away in the museum’s Meteorite Hall is the most significant meteorite collection in the world. Housing over 1,100 specimens, it includes parts of the meteorite that created the Tunguska event—a massive explosion over Siberia in 1908. You’ll also find the oldest meteorite, known as the Hraschina, which fell in Croatia in 1751. What is most exciting: not only can you see these cosmic visitors up close, you can also touch some of them! There’s something awe-inspiring about laying a hand on a piece of rock that’s billions of years old and has traveled through the universe to reach Earth.
4. The Laboratory Behind
While most people only see the museum's exhibits, scientists are hard at work behind the scenes. The Natural History Museum Vienna is an active research hub, with specialists in everything from zoology and mineralogy to anthropology. These experts work in a high-tech laboratory right inside the museum, analyzing and preserving new discoveries. You might spot researchers examining fossils, preserving ancient specimens, or even discovering new minerals. Occasionally, the museum offers tours of the research lab, giving you a rare glimpse into the processes that bring the past to present.
5. A ‘Living’ Mineral: The Opal Room
Among the museum’s vast mineral collection the Opal Room glistens. Opals from Czerwenitza in Eastern Slovakia are living minerals because they contain water, which can cause them to crack or change color over time. The museum’s collection hosts spectacular opals with every imaginable colour and iridescence. Some opals even display a phenomenon called “play of colour,” which gives them an almost magical quality. It’s a powerful reminder of nature’s capacity to create beauty through the most unexpected processes.
6. The Mysterious Whale Room
Suspended above your head, a 20-meter-long whale skeleton marks one of the quirkiest and most mysterious spaces in the museum: the Whale Room, Over a century ago, this blue whale skeleton was gifted to the museum and transported in pieces through Vienna, creating quite a spectacle! Today, this enormous display leaves you in awe as you walk beneath it. Though it may seem peaceful, the Whale Room is rumored to make creaking sounds at night, leading to a popular museum legend that the skeleton “comes alive” after hours.
7. A Place of Living Fossils: The Coelacanth
Thought to be extinct, the Coelacanth, often referred to as a “living fossil,” has been around for 400 million years and was rediscovered in 1938. The museum holds a rare specimen of this prehistoric fish, which scientists believe closely resembles the fish that would eventually evolve into land animals. Unlike most fossilized fish, the Coelacanth has a fleshy fin that can move in a way similar to our own limbs. Seeing it up close is like looking into a mirror of life’s evolutionary journey from ocean to land.
8. The Insect Collection: Environmental Barometer
Vienna’s Natural History Museum holds one of the most extensive insect collections in the world, yet much of it is hidden from public view. With millions of specimens cataloged and preserved, these insects provide an invaluable resource for studying biodiversity and environmental changes over time. Occasionally, the museum hosts special exhibitions where some of these rare specimens are brought into the spotlight. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of preserved butterflies, beetles, or moths that are centuries old.
09. How To Morph Into A Neanderthaler
The Anthropology Halls place human evolution in the spotlight. Here you can see skeletons and soft-tissue reconstructions of early humans, even examining a virtual skeleton through interactive tools like microscopes and X-ray machines to analyze age, gender, illness, and potential causes of death. At the morphing station you can transform your shape into an early human form, and share your picture with friends.
In the Gem Hall, precious stones shine brightly, with highlights like Empress Maria Theresa's jewel bouquet and a colossal 117-kilogram topaz which was added to the collection in 1978. It is among the largest topazes sourced from the Fazenda do Funil deposit near Santa Maria do Itabira in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Halls like these showcase the museum’s impressive ability to bring history, geology, and anthropology to life.
10. Night at the Museum: An Adventure for Kids
For children ages 7 to 11, the Night at the Museum event at the Natural History Museum Vienna offers an extraordinary overnight adventure. Kids get the chance to see the museum after dark, with activities designed to make learning fun and memorable. The evening begins with films in the Digital Planetarium, followed by a thrilling torchlight tour through the exhibits. After a pizza dinner, young adventurers can settle down for the night amidst the dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Hall, and enjoy a breakfast bag the next morning.
The program, conducted in German, runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., and costs €100 per participant, including accompanying adults (one adult can supervise up to five children). Natural History Museum Vienna Tickets can be booked here.
Insider Tip: Each child should bring a ticket, sleeping bag, torchlight, drinks, and snacks.
11. Extensive Libraries and Resources for Scholars and the Public
With holdings dating back to the 18th century Habsburg collections the museum’s extensive libraries open up an invaluable resource for experts and the public. Housing approximately 500,000 volumes, including rare works, these libraries support research in anthropology, geology, mineralogy, and more. The catalog is available online, and though items are reference-only, visitors are welcome to consult materials on-site.
12. Dining at the Museum’s Upper Dome Hall Café-Restaurant
At the Café-Restaurant in the museum’s majestic Upper Dome Hall visitors can take a break. With classic Viennese fare, including coffee specialties, pastries, and hearty snacks, the café is an excellent spot to enjoy the museum's atmosphere.
Opening Time: Thursday to Monday from 10:00 to 17:00 (with extended hours on Wednesday).
Getting to the Museum: Public Transport Options
Located along Ringstrasse boulevard, the museum is easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors can take the U2 line to Museumsquartier or the U3 line to Volkstheater, and tram lines D, 1, or 2, or buses 2A and 57A also stop nearby at Burgring.
Explore Nature Firsthand at the National Park Institut
Beyond the museum walls, the National Park Institut (NPI), an outpost of the Natural History Museum located in Petronell at the edge of the Danube wetlands, offers a hands-on immersion into nature. This site provides a range of activities for schools and groups, from in-depth 3-hour workshops on local ecology to exciting boating excursions and extended project weeks. With guided tours led by experts, students and nature enthusiasts can enjoy the unique ecosystems of the Donau-Auen National Park up close.
