Come and check out one of Vienna’s most fascinating museums, the Museum of Austrian Contemporary History. It dives into Austria’s journey since 1918, highlighting the massive social and political shifts after the fall of the empire. Imagine this: in just 24 hours at the end of 1918, Austria went from being a powerful imperial giant to a broke, tiny democracy struggling to find its footing. Things got so bad that before the war, 10,000 crowns could buy you an apartment. By 1924, that same amount might get you a kilo of sugar!
Vienna opened this museum in 2018, marking exactly 100 years since the First Republic was established on November 12, 1918. You’ll find it in the historic rooms of the Neue Burg, which is part of the former imperial Hofburg palace.
The exhibition takes you on a journey through Austria’s history, starting from the fall of the Habsburg monarchy to the First Republic, the annexation by Nazi Germany, the founding of the Second Republic, and all the way to modern times. It’s fascinating (and sometimes unsettling) to see just how much the empire and the Habsburgs still influence Austria today, not to mention the enduring shadows of the Nazi era. For example, check out a primary school kid’s exercise book from that time, complete with clumsy Nazi symbols—an eerie reminder of the political reluctance to fully acknowledge Austria’s role in Nazi politics after the war. One of the most poignant items on display is a 1945 poster telling women and children to leave Vienna before the Soviets arrived. Someone had scrawled at the bottom: “Where?”
You’ll also come across some unexpected and thought-provoking items, like evidence of Austrian involvement in Nazi crimes, the infamous "Waldheim horse," and even a USB stick from 2019 containing the scandalous Ibiza-gate video. That political fiasco rocked Austria and involved a former vice chancellor and leader of the Freedom Party (FPÖ).
Not everything is heavy, though. There’s a more uplifting piece: the dress Conchita Wurst wore when she won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014.
Alongside the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts special and online exhibitions to offer fresh perspectives on Austria’s contemporary history. Heads-up: the museum will move to bigger digs in the MuseumsQuartier in 2028, so now’s the time to check out the current setup.
The museum is fully accessible, with a Eurokey or intercom at the top of the left ramp to open the door, a lift from the ticket desk to the museum, and an accessible restroom.
There’s no museum shop or café, but you won’t go hungry—there are plenty of options around the Hofburg to suit any budget or craving.
Hofburg, Heldenplatz
1010 Wien
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