Natural History Museum, Vienna

The Natural History Museum in Vienna is a large national museum that displays extensive collections of minerals, fossils, zoological specimens and human prehistory. The present building was constructed in the same historic period as the neighbouring Kunsthistorisches Museum and opened in the late 19th century to exhibit imperial natural history holdings.

Key exhibits include the museum’s mineral and meteorite collections, extensive paleontology displays with mounted skeletons, and archaeological highlights such as the Venus of Willendorf, a Paleolithic figurine. Galleries are arranged by discipline and include large-format display halls for flagship specimens.

The collections were assembled through imperial-era collecting and scientific expeditions and have been expanded and curated continuously since the 19th century. The museum serves both public exhibition and scientific research roles.

The building stands on Maria-Theresien-Platz in central Vienna, directly opposite the Kunsthistorisches Museum and close to the Ringstrasse and the historic centre.

• Building and date: The current museum building was completed as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and opened in the late 19th century to house the imperial natural history collections.
• Collections: The collection holds major natural history holdings from fossils and minerals to zoological specimens and notable archaeological finds such as the Venus of Willendorf.

What to See #

• Venus of Willendorf: The prehistoric archaeology and anthropology displays include the Venus of Willendorf, one of the museum's most famous objects dating to around 25,000-30,000 years ago.
• Mineralogy and Paleontology: Large mineralogical and meteorite holdings are shown in dedicated halls alongside fossil and paleontology displays, including mounted dinosaur skeletons and large fossil specimens.