Gone Medieval at the Wien Museum

 

In Vienna, rain or shine…we roll. I went with my daughter’s class sometime last month to the Vienna Museum in Karsplatz – it was raining though. The museum particularly showcases Medieval Vienna. The purpose of this trip is for the kids to have a visual knowledge of Vienna’s “colorful” history. I came along to learn as the kids do…I don’t have to reiterate that I am a history buff, right?

 

The museum occupied several floors of the building, showcasing a diverse range of exhibitions and collections that highlighted the cultural and historical heritage of Vienna.

The entrance to the museum was adorned with a grand staircase leading visitors to the exhibition halls. Upon entering, visitors would find themselves in a spacious foyer that often featured temporary displays or installations.

The exhibition spaces within the museum were well-laid out and organized, allowing visitors to explore the history, art, and culture of Vienna in a coherent and informative manner. The displays encompassed a wide range of topics, including the city’s architecture, music, literature, social history, and more.

The museum’s collection comprised a vast array of artifacts, photographs, documents, artworks, and other historical objects related to Vienna’s past. These items were thoughtfully curated and exhibited, providing a glimpse into the city’s rich and varied heritage.

The museum also housed a research library, where visitors and scholars could access a wealth of resources related to Vienna’s history, art, and culture. It provided a valuable space for academic study and research.

Attendants at the museum, wearing medieval costumes, guided us from displays to maps, family crests, lamp remains, miniatures, paintings and of course real life knights as you see in the photos; complete with its medieval breastplate, helmet and lance…or the lack thereof.

 

 

Just behind the headless horseman are helmets which are far from being spartan helmets – being a museum display of all things medieval. The kids were giggling seeing this part of the displays…they thought it amusing for the knight to be headless. They were in for a bigger surprise when the guide showed us the guillotine!

There were also paintings by Klimt and Schiele, Schönberg and other famous artists. The highlight would be two large-scale models of the city. Illustrating a scarcely imaginable caesura in urban development: Vienna before and after the dismantlement of the fortresses and the construction of the monumental buildings at the Ringstrasse. The kids, as well as myself, listened to the guide carefully as we looked at the miniature buildings with awe.

Additionally, the museum had a gift shop offering a wide range of books, souvenirs, and other items related to Vienna and its history. It was a popular spot for visitors to take home a memento of their museum experience.

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