Which institutions can you find in the Museumsquartier? What was here before? Since when has the complex presented itself as we see it today? What’s the latest attraction in the MuseumsQuartier and it’s free to boot?
In the Museumsquartier (MQ) – on 90,000m² you will find about 60 cultural institutions, including the Leopold Museum with the world’s largest Egon Schiele collection. The Mumok (Museum of Modern Art), the Kunsthalle, cafés and pubs invite you to linger in the courtyard.
Above all, the now famous MQ lounge furniture, the so-called Enzis , make you want to take a break at the MQ. A cultural meeting place for young and old, especially popular in summer. The area is located parallel to the ring road on Museum Street.
Beginning of the 18th century the imperial court stables were located here, in 1922 it was converted into the Messepalast . Reopened in 2001 as a modern museum complex . Tradition and modernity have mixed beautifully here. The old baroque architecture contrasts with the modern architecture of the Mumok or Leopold Museum. By the way, the yellow exterior façade of the MQ is the longest in Vienna.
Cultural events of all kinds (art, architecture, music, dance, fashion, literature) attract visitors to the Museumsquartier, some of them in the open air in summer. The very young are drawn to the Zoom Children’s Museum or the Jungle , while the older ones prefer a wide variety of events at the Kunsthalle or visit the museums. In winter there is a beautiful Christmas market in the courtyard.
Here is an overview of the most important institutions from A-Z:
The Architecture Center Vienna (AzW) enjoys an excellent reputation and has become the only architecture museum in Austria . Vienna and architecture go hand in hand. Here all architecture enthusiasts will find more about the modern architectural history of the country.
The
Jungle Vienna
, especially popular with young children, shows theater for young audiences, namely
already from 6 months. Families feel very comfortable here.
Hall E + G
provide the setting for all kinds of events, be it music, dance, theater.
The Vienna Art Gallery deals with international contemporary art and invites discussion.
The Leopold Museum can be traced back to the private collectors Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold and houses the largest Egon Schiele collection in the world with about 40 paintings and about 180 graphics. The museum also impresses with the view from the higher floors, as it is flooded with light. According to Leopold, the artists worked with light, so the museum should also offer daylight.
The mumok – Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna even counts among the largest for contemporary art in Central Europe. Pop Art, Minimal Art, Viennese Actionism to name just a few styles you can see here.
The Q21 is a creative workspace of . 50 cultural initiatives, an exhibition space and this in a framework of about 7,000m².
The Tanzquartier Vienna was founded in 2001 and is now one of the leading dance venues in Europe. It is dedicated to performance and dance art, especially contemporary dance.
Culinary delights can’t be missed in Vienna, of course, and at the MQ you’ll find great restaurants, food trucks, cafes and bars.
The Mariahilfer Straße connects to the Museumsquartier and guarantees 2km of outdoor shopping pleasure to the Westbahnhof.
Time Travel Tip:
Since September 2020, there is a free elevator on the outside of the Leopold Museum that takes you up to the roof of the museum, to the “Libelle” . Enjoy the view of the Viennese roof gardens.
More info: MuseumsQuartier Vienna (mqw.at)
